Crack Cocaine

What is crack cocaine?

The smokeable, freebase form of cocaine is called crack cocaine or crack for short. It is sold in crystalline form and its purest state it resembles a brittle, off-white plastic that snaps when it is broken. It looks like jagged-edged, small, off-white nuggets in its less purer forms. Before being sold on the streets, crack cocaine is oftentimes adulterated or “buffed”, as the process is called, in order to increase the drug’s bulk. The name “crack” comes from the sound the substance makes when it is being manufactured or smoked.

Physiological side effects

The physical effects of crack cocaine affect a number of different areas and organs of the body including the following:

  •  blood vessels – constriction, increased blood pressure
  • heart – increased heart rate, risk of cardiac arrest
  • lungs – risk of respiratory arrest
  • muscles – tremors, twitches
  • pupils – dilation
  • sense of balance – Vertigo
  • systemic – increased body temperature

Larger amounts of crack cocaine will intensify the user’s high but it could also lead to behavior that is bizarre, erratic, and even violent as well as having a toxic reaction that resembles amphetamine poisoning. Although it is rare, there have been instances where an individual died suddenly the first time they used cocaine or smoked crack.

Additionally, larger amounts of the drug can induce muscle twitches, paranoia, tremors, and vertigo. Some users have even reported instances of anxiety, irritability, and restlessness. Deaths that are associated with cocaine or crack are caused by cardiac arrest and/or seizures that are usually followed by respiratory arrest.

Psychological side effects

Psychological side effects result due to the way in which crack cocaine affects chemistry of the user’s brain. These side effects include:

  • alertness
  • cravings for more of the drug
  • euphoria
  • increased energy
  • insomnia
  • loss of appetite
  • paranoia
  • supreme
  • confidence

The initial effect that an individual feels is euphoria which results when the brain releases large amounts of the euphoria-inducing chemical called dopamine. Ironically, the high will last as little as 5 to 10 minutes, at which time the dopamine levels drop off radically, leaving the individual to feel depressed and low.

Let our referral service find a rehab program that works

The Rehab Advisor is the internet’s premier addiction treatment referral website with listings of the most successful drug abuse and addiction rehab programs throughout the US. No matter what state you call home, we can refer you into a program in your local vicinity. If you would like more information regarding our referral site and our addiction rehab programs, you can call the toll-free phone number above if you want to speak with someone immediately.