Cocaine comes from the South American cocoa plant. The popular white powder is often snorted at parties, clubs, and festivals for a quick, euphoric high. Unfortunately, cocaine use frequently leads to crack cocaine use. Crack cocaine is highly addictive, dangerous, and easy to get. Crack use almost always leads to crack abuse.
If you or someone in your life is struggling with cocaine and crack cocaine use, Baltimore Detox Center can help. Learn more about our cocaine detox center from our Baltimore, MD staff by calling [Direct] to learn more about recovery plans for crack cocaine.
What Is Crack Cocaine?
Crack cocaine is a form of cocaine. Often called rock, freebase, or hard cocaine, crack is the crystallized form of cocaine powder. People frequently smoke crack cocaine for a more intense high. Its name comes from the cracking sound it makes when smoked. The effects of crack cocaine are immediate. However, the high only lasts 10 minutes at most. This makes crack highly addictive. Crack is also easily made, often mixed with impurities, and cheaper than other drugs.
How Dangerous Is Crack Cocaine?
Continued use of crack cocaine changes a person’s brain chemistry. This creates an addiction. When crack cocaine alters a person’s brain, it can be almost impossible to quit using crack without medically assisted detox and the support of a rehab program.
Crack can have a range of negative effects on the body and brain. These include:
- Seizures
- Paranoia
- Panic attacks
- Anxiety
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Lung damage
- Asthma
- Pneumonia
- Impaired judgment
- Violent behavior
- Psychosis
While snorting cocaine can damage nasal passages, smoking crack cocaine can permanently scar lung tissue. This can lead to increased lung infections, difficulty breathing, and a decrease in oxygen levels. Because people can make crack anywhere, it often contains other substances. These fillers and impurities can be highly dangerous. They may lead to overdose, further scar lung tissue, and result in death. It is impossible to know what is actually in a dose of crack cocaine, making it a high-risk substance.
When the brain becomes dependent on crack cocaine, the person’s behavior changes. They may seem unrecognizable to loved ones. Many people struggle financially, have trouble keeping their job, and engage in risk-taking behavior. Those addicted to crack may lie, manipulate, and try to hide the addiction from loved ones.
What to Expect During Crack Withdrawal?
During withdrawal, the brain and body go through a range of symptoms. The severity of these symptoms can make it difficult to undergo withdrawal without medical supervision. Some symptoms include:
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Cravings for crack
- Trouble focusing
- Night terrors
- Flu-like symptoms
- Diminished reflexes
- Trouble following conversations
Crack speeds up messages from the brain to the body. This intense stimulation can cause a slowing of motor skills when a person withdrawals. Difficulties with speech and language, engaging in conversation, and slow physical responses are common. Attempting crack detox at home is unsafe. Quitting cold turkey can lead to relapse, other drug use, and overdose. Like all addictive substances, crack cocaine addiction is most successfully treated in an addiction treatment program.
Overcome Addiction at Baltimore Detox Center
Crack cocaine is increasingly common. Because it is easy to get, relatively cheap, and effective, people around the world struggle with crack cocaine use every day. If you or someone you love is using crack or you suspect crack use, call Baltimore Detox Center today. As one of the first freestanding detox centers in Baltimore, we understand how difficult detox can be. There is no reason to battle addiction alone. The compassionate staff at our intimate dual diagnosis clinic are here to help. Call us today at [Direct] to learn more about our crack cocaine detox and other programs.
