Crack Cocaine Effects

Crack cocaine was derived from cocaine in the mid- 1980s and crack cocaine was immediately popular because of its availability and inexpensiveness. The word "crack" in crack cocaine refers to the crackling sound this drug makes when it is heated. Crack cocaine creates a sense of pleasure in the brain and body that does not occur naturally. The "high" felt when using crack cocaine only lasts for a few minutes and is followed by a hard "crash" or depressed feeling until the drug is used again.

The crash felt after using crack cocaine can include feelings of anxiety, irritability, depression, sleepiness and paranoia. Many heavy users experience more extreme side effects both on and off the drug that include hallucinations, most often, feeling like there are bugs crawling under the skin, and they also engage in repetitive, compulsive patterns and experience strong cravings for more crack.

Users may also experience depression and delirium. Continued use of crack cocaine causes the brain to be unable to feel pleasure the way a non-using person's brain is able to.

Along with the physical and mental consequences, there are many social problems associated with the use of this drug. Because crack is an addictive drug just as all illicit drugs are, users find that they are unable to have normal or functional relationships with people in their lives including family, friends and significant others. Crack cocaine users often isolate and experience paranoia, making it difficult for them to participate in activities other than using drugs.

Crack users find that they cannot hold jobs and if they do hold a job all of their earnings go to buying more drugs. They experience compulsive and obsessive needs to find and use crack cocaine and are unable to think about anything else. These drug abusers will often steal from their loved ones, lie, cheat, manipulate and become violent if they are afraid their drug needs will not be met. Even though they may make promises concerning their drug use or say things like "I would never" often crack users must sacrifice everything including their morals to get their next fix.

Crack cocaine has been linked with innumerable overdoses and heart failures and can bring on convulsions, coma and death. Crack can cause respiratory problems and can permanently alter the chemical makeup of a person's brain. Chronic use of crack cocaine can result in psychosis and constant delusional episodes.

While all these consequences seem like enough to make any sane person stay away from this drug forever, the person already addicted to this drug is so far from reality that it is impossible to stop. Even if a person stops crack users are at a high risk for relapse, thus the need for an effective treatment plan.

If you or someone you know is suffering from an addiction to crack cocaine or any other drug, there is another way of life. Please contact us you may save a life.
800.399.3612.