Author: Gary Jackson

Crack Cocaine Symptoms And Warning Signs

As a result, the person experiences an intense rush, followed by a hard crash that can feel depressing and lead to intense cravings for more of the drug. Certain items and equipment are also red flags for cocaine use or cocaine addiction. Typical items used for snorting cocaine include mirrors, small spoons, short plastic straws and rolled-up paper tubes. A crack user will likely have a pipe and lighters, whereas IV cocaine users will possess needles.

A person using crack for a period of time may lose the ability to smell. NIDA also notes that a cocaine overdose can be intentional or unintentional, and can occur even on the first occasion of use, or at any time thereafter. Recreational use of cocaine is illegal because it is dangerous and can lead to severe health consequences, including stroke, heart attack, and overdose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 24,000 people died from cocaine overdose in 2021.

Physical Signs

That time was often called the crack epidemic, and it hit places like New York and Los Angeles particularly hard. This article lists the physical, behavioral, and psychological signs of cocaine use and the symptoms of cocaine intoxication. It’s essential to be aware of these signs, symptoms, and health effects of cocaine use to break the habit and get treatment if needed. Crack cocaine addiction treatment may begin with detox, which is the process of removing drugs from your system. The mental withdrawal and cravings that accompany crack detox make it hard to do alone. Some addiction treatment facilities provide support during this difficult time.

• Irritation to the nasal linings and passages due to snorting may also be noted by constant sniffling and a runny nose, according to Narconon.
• However, when a person’s brain has been reprogrammed to compulsively abuse Crack, it isn’t always easy to convince them to start treatment.
• Because people addicted to Crack often exhibit violent or paranoid behavior, it may be beneficial to hire an intervention specialist.

Crack is a freebase form of cocaine that is processed using water and either ammonia or baking soda, until it forms a rock crystal that can be smoked. Crack cocaine is also known as “rock,” because it looks like small, hard shards of rock. People typically smoke crack by heating it in a glass pipe; however, they may also add it to tobacco cigarettes or marijuana joints. If you or someone you know is struggling with a crack addiction, help is available.

Long-Term Effects

The purified form of the extract, which looks like fine, white, powdered crystals, was initially used for medicinal purposes. It is a powdered “hydrochloride salt.” Low doses can give you a quick burst of euphoria. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, consuming cocaine by mouth can cause severe bowel decay.

This supplies large amounts of the drug to the body through the lungs, resulting in a strong and immediate effect. The paraphernalia, or the equipment used to consume crack, include pipes, mouthpieces, plastic syringe plungers and wooden push sticks. Treating a crack addiction may involve detoxification and therapy. Treatment may occur in hospitals, in therapeutic communities, or in clinical settings. Approximately 1.3 million people in the United States over the age of 12 have a cocaine use disorder, which means they use cocaine or crack.

Harmful Effects of the Cocaine Energy Drink

As a stimulant drug, crack cocaine works similarly to an amphetamine like Adderall. It gives you a burst of energy and can make you feel euphoric. However, crack has a much quicker onset and a very short duration. The physical symptoms of withdrawal can start shortly after the person’s last use of the drug and continue for up to a week. Working through the emotional challenges that accompany addiction can take a lot longer.