Crack cocaine is a powerful stimulant that causes a rapid high in users. The stimulating effect causes the body to speed up, both physically and mentally, almost instantly. The effects are short-lived, lasting between five and ten minutes at a time. As users build a tolerance, the length and intensity can differentiate.
Users often turn to crack because it is fast acting, extremely potent, and very inexpensive when compared to other drugs. People achieve a high almost instantly that causes them to feel extremely important, euphoric, and focused. Individuals that use crack feel like they are escaping reality and they often experience sudden bursts of energy.
It may be difficult to determine if someone is using crack. Quite often, users will exert certain signs that help onlookers determine if they are on the drug. Some signs are:
- Energetic bursts
- Extreme focus suddenly
- Dilated pupils
- Problems sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Twitching muscles
- Nosebleeds can be severe
- Finger burns
- Blisters on the mouth and around lips
- Hallucinations of bugs
- An inflated ego
Individuals that habitually use crack cocaine develop a tolerance for the drug rather quickly. As a result, they often resort to smoking larger amounts. Addicts often go to great lengths in order to feed into their addiction and they often engage in dangerous or illegal activities. The inability to rationalize right from wrong can have unfortunate consequences on an addict, their families, and friends.
Crack cocaine is an extremely dangerous drug. It often causes both physical symptoms and psychological symptoms in users. The addiction to crack is likely when a person is willing to engage in problematic behavior that is risky and/or dangerous in order to continue using it.
Some of the most common symptoms crack users experience are:
- Problems sleeping
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Weight loss and appetite suppressant
- Muscle twitching
- Severe aggression and violence
- Hallucinations or paranoia
- Obsessive thoughts
- Putting off important tasks or events
- Spending all their money and jeopardizing life, relationships, and jobs due to their drug use
In addition to these sudden symptoms from crack use, addicts run the risk of sudden death due to the mix of harmful chemicals. A handful of long-term side effects are also possible, which can cause severe health problems both physically and mentally. Long-term users run the risk of developing strokes or brain seizures, respiratory failure, heart disease, and failure, and severe and continual psychological disorders.
Crack is an extremely addictive substance. At Asana Recovery, we often help individuals addicted to crack overcome their addiction. Individuals that want to get help are able to come into our facility and go through our reliable detoxification process. This process is monitored by trained medical professionals who implement medications and environmental factors to help patients deal with withdrawal symptoms.
After detox, patients often rely on inpatient treatment to build stronger relationships with others, develop skills for dealing with cravings, and help build confidence to go on living a happy addiction-free life. If you need help treating your crack addiction, call our trained staff at (949) 438-4504 to get started today.
