Crack cocaine, more often shortened to crack, is a form of cocaine that gained popularity in the mid-1980s due to its lower cost and stronger highs. Crack cocaine is typically a prepared blend of powdered cocaine and baking soda, which makes users able to smoke it instead of ingesting, snorting or injecting it. The ability to smoke the drug results in a faster-onset high. And, since the pure cocaine is cut with other substances, it makes the cost of the drug lower. However, it also makes it more dangerous since it can be difficult to tell the purity level or whether other, more harmful substances have been added. Of the estimated 1.9 million cocaine users in the US in 2016, about one-quarter of them were crack users or had also used crack.

What is Crack Addiction?

Crack cocaine highs are characterized by euphoria, energy and confidence. They are intense but very short, only lasting 5-10 minutes, after which a mood swing toward exhaustion and depression sets in almost immediately. This pattern often causes users to take multiple doses in rapid succession, which makes the drug extremely habit-forming and addicting. Like powder cocaine, crack interferes with your brain’s pleasure pathways by stimulating the production and transmission of dopamine. Dopamine is typically responsible for generating sensations of reward, so when you use cocaine and crack you quickly rewire your brain to associate the drug with beneficial or otherwise pleasurable behaviors. As your brain becomes accustomed to the pleasure associated with using crack, it also associates the absence of crack with negative feelings like depression and anxiety. You come to rely on the drug to prevent yourself from having these negative emotions, which results in a dependence on and then an addiction to crack.

Signs of Crack Addiction

Some common signs of crack addiction include:

  • Bouts of manic energy or aggressiveness
  • Burns, blisters or chapping on fingers or lips
  • Erratic sleep patterns
  • Jittery behavior or physical tremors
  • Changes in appetite

If you or your loved one is abusing or addicted to crack cocaine, do not hesitate to contact The Kimberly Center or an addiction recovery center near you. Crack addiction can take a very strong hold on your life and can be very damaging to your health very quickly. Treating your addiction to crack with the help of healthcare professionals will ensure you receive the best care and treatment you need during your recovery.

Treating Crack Addiction

The withdrawal symptoms of crack cocaine are equally as intense as the highs, which makes the drug very difficult to kick without close monitoring and care. After your detox, though, you will be ready to transition into your long-term recovery. Studies show that over time, cocaine and crack are most effectively treated with regular therapy and substance-free treatment plans. At The Kimberly Center, we know the value of inner strength and strong support systems in keeping you sober for life. Our programs are designed to help you rebuild your confidence and create a network of loved ones and counselors to help you along your road to recovery. We want to make sure that the tools we give you are ones you can use every day, so we have designed our programs to fit your needs, your experience with addiction and your lifestyle. When you choose The Kimberly Center as your home for addiction recovery, your options can include:

Contact The Kimberly Center

The Kimberly Center is proud to provide evidence-based, compassionate addiction treatment for adults in Fort Myers, Florida. We focus on giving you the attention and tools you need to learn to live your life completely substance-free, emphasizing your inner strength and the importance of a strong support system. To learn more about our services and to find out if our programs are right for you or your loved one, contact us today at 855-452- 3683.