Irregular heart rate and blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, cerebral hemorrhages, seizures, comas, damages to other vital organs, and death. Dehydration, vitamin and nutritional deficiencies, insomnia, and sleep disturbances are common. Cocaine speeds up brain activity and stimulates the central nervous system (CNS) increasing energy, restlessness, anxiety, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, temperature, and a myriad of other conditions. The more frequently a person uses crack and the greater the dose, the higher the chance that they’ll develop adverse physical and mental health effects. What follows are the risks and dangers that can accompany the long-term use of this potent stimulant drug.
Treatment for Crack Addiction
- Someone who uses crack for the first time may overdose due to the drug’s powerful effects.
- Cocaine — aka coke, blow, and snow — is a powerful stimulant made from the leaves of the coca plant.
- There has also been some research demonstrating that cocaine affects the stress circuits in the brain as well, increasing their sensitivity.
Crack can numb bad feelings and make people feel better—for a while. The more often people use crack, the more they crave it, eco sober house and the harder it is to control their use. This means you need more of a substance to get the same effect you once did.
More on Substance Abuse and Addiction
Anyone exhibiting these symptoms may meet the clinical definition of crack cocaine addiction. The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 increased penalties for crack cocaine possession and usage. It is permitted for some medical use but is otherwise outlawed. Mark always said the initial rush from smoking crack offered the most appeal to him. It also made him more social in public, increased his sexual pleasures, and allowed him to drink Jack Daniels all night long without passing out.
Long-Term Dangers Of Smoking Crack Cocaine
In part, this is also why crack cocaine can have such devastating effects on long-term health. Here’s a more in-depth account of the effects of this drug on the human body. Crack cocaine casts a long shadow on public health in the United States.
Intervention For A Crack Cocaine Problem
The initial effects of crack cocaine are intense and have a quick onset. When crack is smoked, the user experiences a rush of euphoria and energy, but these effects only last a few minutes. After that, the user will start to feel agitated and will likely keep taking hit after hit to try and chase the euphoria of the first high. Finding a drug rehab that specializes in the treatment of crack addiction improves the chances of successful recovery by leaps and bounds. There are even some rehab centers that exclusively focus on helping for helping people overcome a dependency on crack cocaine. Throughout 16 months of active addiction and my nearly two decades of sobriety, I’ve been able to meet people who had very diverse drugs of choice.
What Is a Crack Addiction?
Because of how it interacts with the brain and the body, it drives intense cravings. As soon as crack is used, it goes to work changing the way a person’s brain functions. Over time, as a person’s use becomes more frequent or as they abuse more of the drug, psychological problems can arise. Coming down from the drug causes severe depression, which becomes deeper and deeper after each use.
Since it’s an illegal drug, you can never be sure about the quality of cocaine. To make more money, dealers may “cut” the drug with other substances, like flour, baking soda, cornstarch, or inspiring recovery quotes talcum powder. They can also add other drugs like amphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, or procaine. Research suggests that certain communities may be more prone to using drugs, including cocaine.
Family owned and operated since 2014, Infinite Recovery was founded by Michael & Ylianna Dadashi to give those struggling with addiction a second chance and help to rebuild their lives. Clean and sober since 2009, Michael is passionate about helping others discover their authentic self and live a life of true freedom and purpose. Here are a few frequently asked questions about crack and cocaine.
As a guideline, Schedule I drugs carry a maximum seven-year prison sentence for possession for an indictable offense and up to life imprisonment for trafficking and production. A summary conviction on possession carries a $1000–2000 fine and/or six months to a year imprisonment. Crack cocaine is often used with other substances like heroin or alcohol. In doing so, they are combining a stimulant with a depressant, something that’s known as “speedballing.”2 This causes powerful, dangerous, unpredictable, and even deadly reactions. During this addiction, crack becomes the most important thing in a person’s life.
At Laguna Treatment Center, we offer different levels of care for addiction treatment. Our drug and alcohol detox facility in Orange County, California, uses a combination of evidence-based therapies and tailors treatment plans to meet each patient’s individual needs. Cocaine affects mary jane drugs the body in a variety of ways, but the dangers outweigh any potential benefits of non-medical use. With each use of cocaine comes the risk lasting negative consequences, including possible death. Cocaine may cause bleeding in the brain or bulges in the blood vessels in the brain.
Injecting coke can cause skin bruising and scarring and lead to collapsed veins. Snorting can damage your mucous membranes, causing inflammation and sores in and around your nostrils. Cocaine use carries a high risk of contracting bloodborne infections, including HIV and hepatitis C. The combo leads to the production of a metabolite called cocaethylene, which is considerably stronger than cocaine or alcohol alone. How long it’s detectable depends on the type of drug test used. Cocaine typically stays in your system for 1 to 4 days but can be detected for a couple of weeks in some people.
Pin-sized holes are punched into the depression, or a straw device inserted and sealed with tin foil. Other substances like marijuana may be used with this specific equipment. However, it does suggest drug usage of some kind, so it should not be disregarded. Contrarily, cocaine is well renowned for having a delicate floral aroma.
Professional treatment can help individuals 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.