Crack Cocaine Addiction and Rehabilitation

Crack Cocaine Addiction Rehabilitation Header
Last Edited: December 4, 2020
Author
Patricia Howard, LMFT, CADC
Clinically Reviewed
Andrew Lancaster, LPC, MAC
All of the information on this page has been reviewed and certified by an addiction professional.

Dangers of Crack Cocaine Abuse

Crack Cocaine is a form of Cocaine, grown from the coca plant, primarily found in Columbia and South America, but is grown locally too. It is known as the free base of Cocaine. Crack Cocaine is a stimulant that affects the brain and nervous system. Crack Cocaine influences the brain’s mesolimbic dopamine system the reward pathway. Crack Cocaine amplifies the signal of the neuro transmitters to create a euphoric effect, according to National Institute on Drug Abuse. It will speed up your brain allowing you to be more alert, energized and focus. When smoked, it will absorb in the lungs, go into the blood stream and create an almost immediate high that will last 5 to 10 minutes. With a high that is so short lasted it creates higher chances of a tolerance and full blown addiction. When addicted to Crack Cocaine the negative effects will come along after continued use and they can include depression, negative moods, and the brain compelling the user to seek Crack Cocaine over food and other responsibilities, it can take over your life without you even realizing it.

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Street Names for Crack Cocaine

The name crack was produced by the sound the crystal-like rocks make when they are being smoked. Crack rocks are usually white, yellow or pink depending on the making of the drug. Other names for Crack Cocaine include but are not limited to: Nuggets, Jelly Beans, Rocks, Gravel, Dice, Base, Candy, Cookies.

Crack Cocaine Effects

Abusing Crack Cocaine risks altering the brain due to chemicals in the substance. Crack Cocaine affects energy levels, including giving the abuser massive amounts of energy, which is followed by a crash or loss of energy. The ups and downs of getting high and crashing are harmful to the body. Crack Cocaine can also damage the nervous system, respiratory system, mucus membranes in the nose, add to a feeling of agitation, confusion, lack of focus, and paranoia. Crack Cocaine greatly affects and damages the norepinephrine and dopamine levels in your brain, which may lead to the need to use even more Crack Cocaine just to feel focused and alert. When this happens, a Crack Cocaine addiction can take control of your life. It can master you and control your decision-making abilities.

Warning signs of Crack Cocaine abuse in a loved one

Crack Cocaine is a very dangerous drug. It is uncommon to find an individual who uses it recreationally or just on weekends. Any Crack Cocaine abuse should be taken seriously by the abuser and the ones surrounding him or her. Symptoms of Crack Cocaine abuse are physical and phycological. Crack Cocaine has a very short lived intense high that keeps the addicted person coming back for more. If you are worried a loved one is addicted to Crack Cocaine here are some signs to look out for:

When trying to have a conversation with your loved one he or she can seem agitated, fidgety, and nervous; Maybe parodied from the lack of sleep and nutrition. When in this situation, it is important to stay calm because Crack has been known to cause violence.

Another sign is that things that have value around the house keep coming up missing such as jewelry, television, or computers when this loved one comes around. Your loved one needs to pay for the habit and will sell your valuables to get his or her fix.

Crack Cocaine will take precedent over everything in your loved one’s life. You should start looking out for things like: loss of job, missing school, and blowing off important responsibilities. He or she will have lack of motivation for everything but getting high.

Factual Dangers: Crack Cocaine

Loved ones of a potential Crack Cocaine abusers may benefit from knowing some of the warning signs of Crack Cocaine abuse. The signs will show mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They may not even be the same person you thought you knew. Don’t stress, if you know what to look out for and they are willing to get the treatment they need, recovery is possible. There is more to Crack Cocaine addiction than dilated pupils. Here are the signs:

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