Crack Cocaine

Crack is a form of cocaine that is smoked, also known as freebase, crack is often more prevalent in illegal street sales than cocaine. Crack and powder cocaine will be used by approximately 1.7 million Americans this month according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Smoking crack cocaine delivers a quick and powerful high that is more intense than snorting powdered cocaine but also lasts a shorter amount of time. Crack stimulates the brains dopamine levels that produce pleasure for the user but like all drug abuse, the early short-term pleasure creates long-term problems. Continued crack use causes severe personality, physical and mental problems and yet reinforces usage because it is one of the most psychologically addicting drugs in existence.

If you or a loved one has a problem with crack, it is critical that you call Treatment Referral today for treatment information. Many people are familiar with the physical complications of using crack; stroke, heart attack, and damaged lungs are only a few of the many physical complications. Cocaine is an unpredictable drug and people do die from the relatively random way the drug affects the body.

Normally the crack user doesn't notice the sometimes dramatic shifts in personality and thinking. Increased hostility, paranoia and isolation are very common side effects that affect the personality. This kind of behavior puts a lot of strain on both personal and work relationships. Often a crack user will continue to justify use due to relationship problems so the dependence on crack becomes a self-reaffirming cycle of destruction.

Other serious mental side effects of crack include depression. Those dopamine pleasure signals are withdrawn by the body as it seeks to balance out the levels artificially created by using crack. What this means is an increased tolerance as more crack is needed to feel high and the crashes become worse after the crack has run out. Major depression between crack uses is common and often leads to thoughts of hopelessness and suicide.

We encourage you to call Treatment Referral to let us help you break the vicious cycle of crack use. You or your loved one may have tried on your own many times to stop, vowing never to pick up the pipe again only to do so in short order. There is an alternative. Treatment Referral has many treatment options that have worked successfully for thousands of crack users so give us a call today.
800.399.3612