Around 10% of people in the United States alone have suffered from drug addiction in the past. Being addicted to drugs can ruin a person’s entire life. It can make a person lose their job, it can destroy a person’s personal relationships, and can destroy a person’s health. Crank, which is another name for methamphetamine (also known as meth), is one of the hardest and most dangerous drugs that a person can possibly abuse.
But what is a crank addiction exactly? What makes it so bad and how hard is it to quit? What can crank do to the body or brain over a period of time and what kind of effects does the drug cause?
Keep reading and learn more about why crank is so toxic and why it’s such a hard addiction to kick.
What You Need To Know About Crank (Meth)
Most people are familiar with crank by the name of meth since it is the most common term for the drug in everyday language. However, on the streets, you will more often hear it be referred to as crank since it easily disguises the true nature of the drug and its bad reputation. Meth is actually a relatively old drug since it was invented way back in the early years of the 20th century.
It was originally derived from another drug, amphetamine. Interestingly, methamphetamine was first used for health purposes. In particular, people used it to decongest their nasal passages.
Of course, people back then didn’t know that this drug could be highly addictive and very bad for one’s health. Meth is a stimulant. This means that the drug makes a person more energetic.
Even when taking small doses of this drug, a person will become more talkative and energetic. More than that, stimulants tend to suppress the appetite. This is because of the way the drug affects the nervous system.
When the drug targets the nervous system, it will make the brain think that the body is not hungry even if it is. This is due to the way the drug turns off the nervous system’s “rest and digest” mode which allows a person to feel hungry. At some point in the 20th century, people realized that this drug should not be used as a nasal decongestant and was instead made illegal due to its very addictive properties.
The Details
These days, meth can be found on the streets. Usually, it is sold as a white, crystalline substance. Meth can come in a few different forms, but its crystal form is the most common, although, meth may sometimes be ground up into a white powder.
Meth does not smell like anything and it is easily dissolvable when you add it to water or alcohol. Many people may start using meth for a variety of reasons. What makes this drug “attractive” to some is that it produces a very intense euphoric high.
This high does not last very long but it is so pleasurable that many people end up becoming addicted even after using the drug only once. A person may start using this drug because they are depressed or anxious and they want to try something that will make them feel better. As for most drugs, meth can act as a kind of escape from reality.
Unfortunately, meth can end up making a person’s reality much worse than it originally was. But what exactly does meth do to the body? What kind of effect occurs when someone takes meth and what makes it so dangerous?
What Are the Effects of Crank on the Body?
It is the effects of meth that made this drug so addictive and hard to stop taking. People may take this drug in many different ways. The mode of administration will change the intensity of the drug’s effects as well as how long the drug stays in a person’s system.
For example, some of the most common ways to take the drug include snorting it, injecting it, or ingesting it. When ingesting the drug, it will take some time before it takes effect. This is because the person’s stomach acid will have to break down the drug before it can enter the bloodstream and then travel to the brain to bring about its effect.
On the other hand, snorting and injecting the drug cause an immediate high. For that reason, these methods of administration are very intense as the entire dose of the drug will hit the person all at once. This can be extremely dangerous and sometimes even fatal, especially if the person has never taken the drug before.
When the drug takes effect, the person will immediately experience a very strong euphoric high. This high is what often causes an immediate addiction in people who first take it. Of course, there are always a few exceptions.
Depending on certain genetic factors, some people may be more likely to develop addictions to drugs than others. So, when taking crank, one person may become addicted at once while another may not. Even so, crank remains a very dangerous drug because of how it affects the body.
Besides creating a euphoric high, meth will cause one’s heart rate to increase, it will make a person more talkative, and will increase one’s sex drive. More noticeable symptoms include dilated pupils, shallow breathing, or difficulty breathing.
What You Need to Know
This drug affects the central nervous system and, as such, will change the way a variety of the body’s systems work. This drug will affect everything from breathing and heart rate to hunger, mood, and sleep patterns. When a drug user first starts abusing this drug, the side effects will be more pronounced.
For example, some of the side effects include chest pain, stomach pain, irregular heartbeats, and even seizures. Seizures are more common if the drug user takes too much of the drug at once. However, if a person continues to take the drug, especially over several months or years, the effects will get much worse.
In particular, long-term meth users tend to experience changes in mood and behavior. Often, they become more aggressive. They may be more likely to attack people out of sudden anger and they may become sexually aggressive as well.
Long-term meth users may also experience a variety of mental side effects. Many may experience paranoia to a certain degree as well as depression. Many people addicted to meth feel, at a certain point, that the only joy in their lives comes from using meth.
Using meth can also damage the internal organs, especially the heart since it forces the heart to overwork itself.
Recovering From Crank Addiction
Once an addiction to this drug is formed, it can be very difficult to break. This is especially true for those who have been using this drug for months or years. The longer a person uses this drug, the more that person’s brain will be dependent on the presence of that drug to function.
Stopping a meth addiction cold turkey is very dangerous and can even be fatal in some cases. For that reason, it is important to go into rehab where professionals can look over the drug user. That way, when the person goes through withdrawal symptoms, there will be trained professionals on hand in case serious or potentially fatal side effects take place.
The withdrawal symptoms of crank tend to be quite severe. Many people experience bodily pain, paranoia, extreme anxiety, nausea, diarrhea, and more. In some cases, a person may experience seizures.
Withdrawal Symptoms
The person may also enter such a state of depression that he or she may try to commit suicide. This is not an uncommon side effect. This is because the lack of meth in the body, which generally makes the person feel pleasure, will cause the drug user to experience a severe crash.
This will make the person feel fatigued, depressed, and ill. However, these are only acute symptoms of the withdrawal process. Through the detox process, the person should be able to conquer the less severe symptoms of withdrawals. At a certain point, once the meth is out of the person’s system, the person should be free of their addiction.
After that, it is important to teach the person coping mechanisms so that he or she does not return to the drug.
The Dangerous Reality of Using Crank
Crank, also known as meth, is a very dangerous drug that can cause very stubborn addictions. Crank comes in a white, crystalline form and creates feelings of euphoria when consumed. It can destroy the heart, mind, and body, especially in the long term, but fortunately, drug rehab can help.
To learn more, check out our 12-step program to recovery here.
50 comments
From the article above, it reveals that crank can kill it victim. Thank you for this revelation.
I have never come across a positive impact of crack or any drugs. Its affect the brain seriously making the user addicted
This is so educative and well detailed. Thank you so much detox for this. Definitely shearing to others.
So many people have become something all in the name of escaping reality. Thanks for these good article.
The use of crank ruins one’s life. It affects relationship with others. One might be isolated. Be contious.
The use of meth and every other drugs should be discouraged as they have no positive impact to the body. Thanks for this detailed article.
This is well detailed piece, I love the fact that it is going to create a proper awareness on the dangers that comes with using crack.
This is one of the most fearsome addiction one can ever try. It definitely takes a huge toll on the cognitive reason and general health at large. Beautiful write up by the way.
From the above write up the dangers are enormous. All I know is that drugs addiction is avoidable.
Crank or meth is a destructive. People should not toy with it for any reason.
Everything has two sides, good or bad, depending on how we are using it. Crank was made for treatment but people started using it for intoxication. Thanks for telling.
I know right from time that it could be dangerous and fatal to use crank. I hope those still in this habit gets to see this to desist from it.
This is why it isn’t even good to be addicted to crank. Trying to withdraw from it later comes with so much sideffects. I hope people stay away from meth. it is bad for the body.
The funny thing is despite all the danger people will still fall into this thus the power of addiction. Thanks for sharing tho. I do not take yhis but even I know this is bad news,
it’s true that crank is the most dangerous drug to get addicted to. I feel pity for people who are hooked to this drug..even when you consume little amount, you talk more and become more energetic..it’s a very hard drug..the bad thing about this drug if that it is hard to stop once you feel addicted.. although, getting over addiction is hard but I’m glad that drug rehab can help. I can only hope that more people don’t get addicted to any kind of drugs because staying clean is hard. thanks for this educative post. I will share with my friends.
Crank is really harmful to one’s Health and many people use it without knowing the Effects after a long period of time.
As explained the side effects of crank are terrible. The fact that it tempers with your nervous system is a clear indication that you should not try it in the first place. Thank you for sharing this information.
It can be exceedingly challenging to break this drug’s addiction once it has developed. For those who have used this medicine for months or years, this is especially true. The more frequently someone uses this medicine, the more their brain will become dependent on it to function.
It is important to learn coping mechanisms truly.
Cranks are really harmful to one’s Health.
I hope many people will read this article so that they’ll work hard to stay away from crank. And if they already do crank, I hope they read this to support them to stop it.
Meth otherwise known as crank is very dangerous and destructive and ought to be avoided by all means. Thanks for reiterating and educating us on the negative effects of this harmful substance.
Wow I heard of meth but never knew of its adverse effects on the body. Also I think the sex drive urge thing may render a person to be a rapist if dependent on the drug for so long. Just a thought though.
Thank you Detax to rehab for sharing these type of stories with all of us.These stories are really very much inspirational for many people.
Poor mans coccaine. The effect is the same, but the perspiration is the only difference. It is much easier to make and takes less the effort. Hopefully the government will be able to CRACK down the suppliers.
Clearly a deadly drug. Glad to know there is always a solution for those seeking recovery. Taking the necessary steps listed here is essential, even if it means slowing down the detox treatment one step at a time. Thanks for the interesting read.
I had no idea that crank was the street name for meth. Thanks for the heads up
Meth has to be the most addictive drug ever. Those hooked on it have a hard time recovering.
The physical toll that crank has on a user’s body is horrendous. It is my most feared drug.
The withdrawal symptoms seem pretty severe. It must be a harrowing experience indeed.
The side effects of crank far outweigh the short lived pleasurable high it gives. Thanks for shedding light on how dangerous the drug is.
I wonder if the federal government is doing anything to curb the use of crank. It really is ruining our society.
I once lost a friend to meth addiction. The most painful experience ever!
Addiction never ends well. It’s prudent to stop at the earliest opportunity.
I learnt more about meth from this article than I would ever learn from any school. Many thanks for the enlightening write up.
More measures ought to be put in place to curb the use of crank. The problem is that it is too easy for young people to get their hands on it.
Everything taken in excess is always very bad for the body. Drugs, especially meth or crank, is an extreme example of this. It comes with the danger of just pushing people to go over their own boundaries and could hurt their loved ones, families, or friends in the process. It really helps to be aware if you are in need of serious help, or you know someone who does and work on it right away to avoid the horrible aftermath.
Crank usage is detrimental to health. It can change or turn someone’s life upside down if care is not taking.
Just reading the effects of crank on the body gives me chills. This is one drug I’d never even touch with a ten foot pole.
Meth is the one drug I would never recommend to anyone. It has ruined countless young promising lives.
The withdrawal symptoms are a nightmare. No one should have to go through that.
Thank you for inform what differences between meth and crank,so we know the dangerous both
This post is highly educative, it contains very important things about Meth. You can overcome addiction if you are committed to it.
Very easy to get addicted to, a danger people takes for granted. So many uses it for their sexual acts on bed little dod they know it’s equally killing the natural drive.
First time I heard the term “crank” here. I’ve read a little bit about what methamphetamine, or meth, is, but I never heard it being referred to as “crank” before.
I mean, I almost thought it was another term for “crack cocaine”, but after reading this article and doing a bit more reading elsewhere, I now understand what “crank” is.
Also, if not for its more harmful side-effects, “crank” might seem like one way to keep hunger pangs at bay, since it turns off the nervous system’s “rest and digest” mode. Of course, there are much healthier ways to do that, instead of resorting to the use of drugs to stave off hunger.
Actually, have there been cases of health supplements that have been deliberately laced with this drug in order to achieve that effect? I’m a bit concerned about that.
Undoubtedly, there are dangers of meth to people’s health. Indeed, it is good to avoid it’s consequences.
I have only known this one because of the “crank” movie by Jason Statham. I did not know that this one was real! Great article! Really informative. Thanks for writing this one!
10 percent is a really huge amount of people being addicted to drugs. I think that the government of the United States should do something in order to deal with such kind of problems like addiction.
When the nervous system is affected, you feel like you are nothing. You become a zombie and you can not have good judgement. It’s something that you should not use and avoid it.
The risk of using crank outweighs the pleasure or high one gets. This drug is really harmful for the body and shouldn’t be taken at all.
This meth is a very dangerous substance and the recovery pro ess is not an easy one too. If is best if this substance is avoided all together