Crack Cocaine Symptoms And Warning Signs
Crack Cocaine is a potent drug that can cause addiction after only 1 hit. Thousands of people nationwide struggle with an addiction to this powerful drug.
Signs Of Crack Abuse
The physical effects of Crack Cocaine are intense. While people who are addicted to many drugs may be good at hiding it, this is rarely the case with Crack Cocaine. Crack Cocaine is very short acting, meaning many addicts take breaks to smoke every 15-20 minutes. Also, the mental obsession associated with Crack Cocaine can be so severe that many cannot hold a regular conversation due to their obsession over their next “hit.”
People who are using Crack usually exhibit overconfidence and hyperactivity.
Other signs of Crack abuse to look for include:
- Dilated pupils
- Aggressive behavior
- Restlessness
- Increased breathing rate
- Uncharacteristic irresponsibility
- Burned or cracked lips or fingers
Featured Centers Offering Treatment for Crack Cocaine Addiction
The Alarming Availability Of Crack
Considering how destructive the consequences of the drug are, the availability and widespread use of Crack can be surprising.
According to a survey conducted in 2010, children as young as 13 have been exposed to the drug. In fact, 23% of eighth-graders, 32% of tenth-graders, and 45% of twelfth-graders reported that Crack was “fairly easy” or “very easy” to obtain. Considering that one hit can spark a lifelong addiction, these numbers help illuminate the severity of the issue.
The Dangers Of Crack Cocaine
One of the greatest dangers of Crack is its addictive potential. Crack inhibits the reuptake of dopamine, creating excess of the neurotransmitter which helps control the brain’s pleasure and reward centers. As early as the first time you smoke Crack, your brain has already started rewiring itself because it finds the resulting “high” pleasurable.
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Immediate Effects Of Crack Abuse
Due in part to the unpredictability of the drug’s contents, the effects of smoking Crack can vary from person to person. Crack’s effects are both physical and psychological, and the severity increases the more a person smokes. Some immediate side effects of Crack abuse include:
- Aggression
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Seizures
- Pressured speech
- Dilated eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Disturbed sleep patterns
- Increased body temperature
- Nausea
- Intense cravings to use more
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Potential death from respiratory failure
- “Coke bugs,” a feeling of bugs under the skin
Long-Term Effects Of Crack Abuse
The long-term effects of abusing Crack can be detrimental. Long-term Crack abuse can cause damage to most of the body’s vital organs, such as the liver, kidneys and heart. Additionally, Crack Cocaine users are more susceptible to infections because the drug compromises the immune system. The dangers of long-term Crack abuse include:
- Depression
- Permanent damage to blood vessels
- High blood pressure
- Liver damage
- Lung damage
- Abscesses
- Malnutrition
- Severe tooth decay
- Reproductive damage and infertility
- Exhaustion
- Irritability
- Increased frequency of risky behavior
- Psychosis
- Paranoid behavior
- Kidney failure
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Death
Recognizing A Crack Cocaine Addiction
Because of its potency and addictive quality, any amount of Crack use should be cause for concern. Those addicted to Crack put getting their fix above all else, including breaking the law. Knowing what to look for could save your life or the life of someone you care about. A few of the symptoms of addiction, as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) include ignoring responsibilities to use, tolerance, withdrawal, and using more than initially intended.
Anyone exhibiting these symptoms may meet the clinical definition of Crack Cocaine addiction. Learn more about diagnosing an addiction.
Intervention For A Crack Cocaine Problem
Once it has come to light that someone is addicted to Crack, the next step is to get them help. However, when a person’s brain has been reprogrammed to compulsively abuse Crack, it isn’t always easy to convince them to start treatment.
This is where an intervention can come in handy. Interventions are a good way to coax an addict into recovery.
When someone addicted to Crack is surrounded by people who care, he or she is more likely to accept treatment.
Because people addicted to Crack often exhibit violent or paranoid behavior, it may be beneficial to hire an intervention specialist. Learn more about staging an intervention.
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Withdrawal From Crack Cocaine, Treatment, And Next Steps
Someone seeking treatment for a Crack Cocaine addiction will experience symptoms of withdrawal within the first few hours after their last dose. The brain’s dependence on Crack causes these symptoms because it can no longer function normally without the drug.
The symptoms of Crack withdrawal are predominantly psychological. Symptoms include fatigue, unusual sleep patterns and intense cravings.
Professional treatment can help addicts cope with the symptoms of withdrawal and make a successful, lasting recovery. Depending on the individual, treatment can range from outpatient therapy and support groups to an inpatient rehabilitation center. Treatment for Crack addiction is a long road, but recovery is possible. Contact a treatment provider and take your life back today.