Crack cocaine is one of the most addictive drugs out there. It’s an illegal street drug that’s made from the powder form of cocaine. Usually, it’s mixed with baking soda, ammonia, and warm water to form a crystalized “rock” that users smoke in glass crack pipes.
The biggest reason crack is one of the more addictive drugs is because when it is smoked, the user feels an ultra-intense high, potentially more intense than other drugs or snorting cocaine. That feeling of being “high” only lasts for between 10 and 15 minutes though, which can cause users to habitually use the drug and go on binges.
Many people in recovery from crack addiction report that it didn’t take them long to become addicted to the drug. It also didn’t take long for them to start losing valuable things and people from their lives due to the addiction. Many lost their jobs, families, savings, businesses, integrity, and more. Even if you only use crack one time, you can become addicted to it.
Crack Addiction: How The Brain Gets Addicted
As with any opioid, the brain gets addicted rather quickly. Crack affects the brain by giving it a huge boost of dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter. Because of the intense “high” that the user experiences, the brain will remember this and signal intense cravings for more.
The drug can affect the part of the brain that literally thinks it will die if it doesn’t get more of the drug. This is one reason why those who become addicted to crack will do things they normally wouldn’t do in order to get more of the drug. Examples include stealing, disappearing, and binging for days or weeks at a time, selling sex for money, and engaging in high-risk activities.
When the “high” starts wearing off, the user will start to feel tired, agitated, and restless. Some consider this the crash. They can get caught in the cycle of using more crack in order to feel better, which leads to addiction fast.
The Dangers Of Crack Addiction
When you become addicted to crack, your body will produce withdrawal symptoms because it wants and needs more of the drug to feel normal. How do you know if you’ve become addicted to crack? You start to crave the drug intensely and experienced withdrawal symptoms at some point after the high has worn off.
Crack addiction withdrawal symptoms include:
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Body aches
- Chills
- Increased anxiety
- Restlessness
- Agitation
- Tiredness
- Vivid dreams
- Insomnia
Not everyone who uses crack goes on to form an addiction, but many do. There are various factors that come into play, such as:
- How much crack you’re using
- Your tolerance level
- The frequency of use
- Past substance abuse
- Weight
- Whether you’re using other drugs or not
Some people who develop an addiction to crack report that they spend quite a bit of money on the drug. It doesn’t take long to drain the bank account, and some people resort to stealing from other people in order to get more of the drug.
How Does Crack Affect The Body?
Crack cocaine can negatively affect the body in various ways. The more often you use the drug, the more likely you are to experience physical effects, such as:
- Lung damage
- Liver damage
- Heart problems
- Malnutrition, due to not eating much
- Infertility
- Death
Using crack long term can also negatively affect your mental health, such as experiencing:
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Depression
- Psychosis
- Confusion
Crack Addiction Treatment and Recovery
As with any addiction, one of the best avenues for recovery is to attend an inpatient, residential, or outpatient treatment program. Many former crack users report that they just couldn’t stop using crack on their own. They tried over and over, but the withdrawal symptoms were oftentimes too much for them to handle. Or they just didn’t have the support necessary to help them recover completely from the addiction.
There’s no shame in asking for help to overcome crack addiction. Having medical support to get through the withdrawal symptoms is oftentimes necessary to fully recover. Attending a residential rehab program offers you around the clock support and substance abuse professionals that can help you build a strong recovery foundation.
The first step toward recovery will be to get through the detox phase. While many of the detox symptoms may be quite uncomfortable, they’re usually not dangerous. Being under the care of medical professionals can help you manage withdrawal symptoms. They may even be able to administer medication to help minimize some symptoms.
The next step in addiction recovery is to attend a residential program.
Into Action Recovery Society Treatment Program
Here at Into Action Recovery Society, we offer several phases of treatment to help you fully recover.
The first step is to enter into the “First Stage Residential Program” for addiction treatment. This is a 60-day program for men who struggle with alcohol or drug addiction. The setting is a comfortable, safe, home-like atmosphere.
The second stage of recovery is the “Second Stage Transitional Program”. If you’re not quite ready to return home, this program offers an additional 30 days to help you gain strength in your recovery. We offer accountability and structure, which can go a long way when it comes to sobriety. If you work or attend school, you are able to leave the home and come back afterward.
If you need assistance after that 30 days, we also offer a Long-Term Sober Living option for those who require housing long-term.
We work with you to recover holistically – mind, body, and spirit. We provide helpful modalities to assist you with your particular needs, such as:
- Individual counseling
- Education
- Life skills training
- Relapse prevention skill training
- Group therapy
- 12 Step and/or support groups
- Trauma recovery
We are here to help you fully recover from crack addiction and go on to live the life you truly desire. Contact our staff today with any questions or concerns.
It’s time to get free.