Effects of Crack Cocaine

What are the Effects of Crack Cocaine?? If you are having problems with crack Cocaine addiction, we can help. Book your assessment now and start your recovery.

Crack cocaine (known as crack) is one of the most dangerous and addictive illegal drugs. From the first ingestion, it is possible for addiction to develop. The side effects of crack can cause serious mental and physical health problems.

Crack Cocaine can cost users their lives completely. It creates intense cravings, which is how psychological addiction begins. Then, the user quickly needs higher and more frequent doses to feel the effects of crack, as tolerance is quickly establish. Over time, the long-term effects of crack can seriously affect a person’s life and can even be fatal.

Here we explain everything there is to know about the side effects of crack.

What is crack cocaine?

Crack cocaine is a less pure, crystalline form of cocaine, which is smoked rather than snorted. It is made by dissolving powdered cocaine in water and baking soda. This mixture is then boiled and dried, leaving a solid compound that is ground into small pieces.

Users heat the small pieces until they liquefy, then, once vapors are produced, inhale them through a tube. This leads to an almost immediate euphoria, which is why people seek out the effects of crack. It gets its name from the cracking sound produce when the pieces are heated.

The immediate Effects of Crack Cocaine

The effects of crack Cocaine are initially pleasurable because they increase levels of dopamine in the brain (the chemical that makes us happy). The euphoria of crack is faster and much more intense than that of powder cocaine. This usually lasts up to ten minutes. This is followed by a depression, known as a comedown, which is deeper than before taking the drug.

Users will experience several effects of crack immediately after inhaling it, including

Euphoria: usually intense and accompanied by heightened awareness, feelings of superiority and invincibility, and decreased inhibitions.
Depression: after the euphoria wears off, users may become depressed and angry. They may become hostile, paranoid and anxious. These feelings often cause users to want another “fix” immediately.
Physical reactions: In some cases, users experience a very high heart rate and sometimes seizures and muscle spasms. Dilated pupils, nausea and rapid breathing are also common reactions.

Long-term Effects of Crack Cocaine

The long-term effects of crack cocaine are the same as those of powder cocaine, and include:

Insomnia and loss of appetite which can lead to nutritional problems.
Sexual dysfunction and possibly infertility in men and women.
Permanent damage to blood vessels and high blood pressure that can cause severe damage to coronary arteries (and heart attacks), kidney failure and liver damage.
Damage to the respiratory system. Crack users are at increased risk for respiratory problems because of the way they use the drug. Smoking causes lung damage, bleeding, shortness of breath and coughing.
Crack users also suffer from mouth problems. The tube through which they inhale is short and gets very hot, which burns their lips. Their teeth are also expose to smoke, which can cause extreme tooth decay.

Social effects of crack Cocaine

Like most drugs, crack has serious social consequences. Criminal organizations that produce and distribute drugs create an environment of fear and threaten society and crack users themselves.

Studies have shown that crack cocaine use leads to violence and crime, as users feel empowered and uninhibited. Their addiction to the drug may cause them to go to great lengths to acquire the money to buy it. Crack cocaine users can drain their family’s finances and become psychotic. This destructive behavior often has a very traumatic outcome for family and friends.

Pregnant women who use the drug are at extremely harmful risk due to the effects of crack cocaine on their unborn babies. There is the possibility of premature delivery, the baby being born with malformations or drug addiction, as well as possible brain damage.

Get treatment for crack Cocaine addiction

The dangerous short- and long-term effects of crack Cocaine use cannot be underestimated. It affects users and those around them in endless destructive ways. Professional help is essential to recover from crack addiction, as it is extremely difficult to quit without support.

You can talk to your primary care physician to discuss your concerns and fears, and they can refer you to specialized treatment from Life Works. Also, while we prefer that people have a physician referral, this is not essential. You can also contact Life Works directly to discuss your needs and treatment options.