Crack, or crack cocaine, is an illegal stimulant drug that is made from the powdered version of cocaine. Baking soda or ammonia is mixed with water and powdered cocaine and cooked until it forms a solid substance.
Once it dries and hardens, it is broken down into rocks and smoked by the user in a glass tube, usually referred to as a crack pipe. Crack cocaine is more potent than powdered cocaine because all impurities are cooked out, making it that much more dangerous.
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How Does a Crack Work?
When the crack is smoked, it puts the drug straight into the user’s lungs, causing an immediate but short-lived high that lasts anywhere from 5-15 minutes. Once the drug enters the brain, it causes a massive and excessive dump of dopamine.
Dopamine is responsible for causing feelings of pleasure. Once the high wears off, the user will have a strong desire for more of the drug. This is how to crack cocaine addiction forms. This drug is so powerful and dangerous that a user can get hooked even after the first hit.
How Dangerous Smoking Crack Can Be?
Smoking crack is a quick and easy way to turn your life upside down because of how incredibly addictive it is. It has the ability to destroy both your mental and your physical health. It is also very common for many users to turn to stealing, drug dealing, and prostitution to afford their drug habit. As a result, crack puts your entire well-being in danger.
Major Organ Damage After Smoking Crack
Long-term or heavy crack cocaine use can cause major organ damage. It can cause heart, kidney, and lung function to deteriorate. In addition, many crack smokers can experience respiratory problems like shortness of breath, coughing, lung damage, and bleeding.
The most major form of organ damage is to your heart. Stimulant drugs like crack put a significant amount of strain on the heart, especially in long-term addiction. As a result, you can experience chest pains, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and, most serious, a heart attack. A heart attack is even possible for the first time.
Psychological Problems and Brain Damage After Crack Use
Smoking crack changes the way your brain will function and can even lead to a stroke. As your body gets used to having the crack in your system, it no longer knows how to function properly without it. Most notably, crack cocaine use has a massive impact on the psychiatric health of a person. Some of the psychiatric effects can include:
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Mood changes
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- Hallucinations
- Delirium
- Aggressive and violent behavior
Signs of Dependence Crack Use
Cocaine in any form is dangerous, but smoking crack tends to be that much more dangerous because it allows for immediate effects to the lungs, heart, and brain, causing a rapid addiction. There are some signs to look out for that someone is addicted to smoking crack. You will likely notice behavioral changes before you see physical ones. You will see changes in their level of motivation, social groups, and overall attitude.
Their relationships with family and friends will likely deteriorate, and they will become distant and hostile. They may begin lying and stealing to get what they need to fuel the addiction, despite who they hurt in the process.
Overcome Crack Misuse at Garden State Treatment Center
Even though smoking crack will undoubtedly lead to a dangerous addiction, there is a way out. Treatment centers like Garden State dedicate themselves to providing the support and care necessary to get on the road to recovery.
We suggest you contact one of our addiction specialists so they can help you find out the best treatment options for you. They are available around the clock and all called are free and confidential, it is time to take the important step to become free of addiction before it is too late.
Published on: 2021-08-04
Updated on: 2024-10-08
