Cocaine and Crack Cocaine - Powerfully Addictive Drugs of Abuse - Know the Danger Signs and Detox Treatment Programs
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Street dosage sample of cocaine powder, also known as salt (or cocaine hydrochloride). (Credit: US DEA) |
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Sample of crack cocaine rocks which typically are white or off-white. (Credit: US DEA) |
Crack cocaine and cocaine are powerfully addictive drugs of abuse. Once having tried crack cocaine or cocaine, an individual cannot predict or control the extent to which he or she will continue to use the drugs.
The major routes of administration of cocaine are sniffing or snorting, injecting, and smoking (including free-base and crack cocaine). Snorting is the process of inhaling cocaine powder through the nose where it is absorbed into the bloodstream through the nasal tissues. Injecting is the act of using a needle to release the drug directly into the bloodstream. Smoking involves inhaling cocaine vapor or smoke into the lungs where crack cocaine or cocaine absorption into the bloodstream is as rapid as by injection.
"Crack" is the street name given to cocaine that has been processed from cocaine hydrochloride to a free base for smoking. Rather than requiring the more volatile method of processing cocaine using ether, crack cocaine is processed with ammonia or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and water and heated to remove the hydrochloride, thus producing a form of cocaine that can be smoked. The term "crack" refers to the crackling sound heard when the mixture is smoked (heated), presumably from the sodium bicarbonate.
There is great risk whether cocaine is ingested by inhalation (snorting), injection, or smoking. It appears that compulsive cocaine use and addiction may develop even more rapidly if the substance is smoked (as with crack cocaine) rather than snorted. Smoking allows extremely high doses of crack cocaine and cocaine to reach the brain very quickly and brings an intense and immediate high. The injecting drug user is at risk for transmitting or acquiring HIV infection/AIDS if needles or other injection equipment are shared.
Danger of Crack Cocaine and Cocaine Addiction to Your Health
Crack cocaine and cocaine are strong central nervous system stimulants that interfere with the reabsorption process of dopamine, a chemical messenger associated with pleasure and movement. Dopamine is released as part of the brain's reward system and is involved in the high that characterizes crack cocaine and cocaine addiction.
Crack cocaine and cocaine addiction symptoms include constricted peripheral blood vessels, dilated pupils, and increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. The duration of crack cocaine's immediate euphoric effects, which include hyper-stimulation, reduced fatigue, and mental clarity, depends on the route of administration. The faster the absorption, the more intense the high. On the other hand, the faster the absorption, the shorter the duration of action. The high from snorting may last 15 to 30 minutes, while that from smoking may last 5 to 10 minutes. Increased use can reduce the period of stimulation.
Some users report crack cocaine and cocaine addiction symptoms such as feelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety. An appreciable tolerance to the high may be developed, and many addicts report that they seek but fail to achieve as much pleasure as they did from their first exposure. Scientific evidence suggests that the powerful neuropsychologic reinforcing property of crack cocaine and cocaine is responsible for an individual's continued use, despite harmful physical and social consequences. In rare instances, sudden death can occur on the first use of crack and cocaine or unexpectedly thereafter. However, there is no way to determine who is prone to sudden death.
High doses of crack cocaine and cocaine and/or prolonged use can trigger paranoia. Smoking crack cocaine can produce a particularly aggressive paranoid behavior in users. When addicted individuals stop using crack cocaine or cocaine, they often become depressed. This also may lead to further crack cocaine use to alleviate depression. Prolonged cocaine snorting can result in ulceration of the mucous membrane of the nose and can damage the nasal septum enough to cause it to collapse. Crack and cocaine-related deaths are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory arrest.
Cocaethylene-Mixing Cocaine and Alcohol
When people mix crack and cocaine with alcohol consumption, they are compounding the danger each drug poses and unknowingly forming a complex chemical experiment within their bodies. NIDA-funded researchers have found that the human liver combines crack cocaine and alcohol and manufactures a third substance, cocaethylene, that intensifies cocaine's euphoric effects, while possibly increasing the risk of sudden death.
Treatment of Crack and Cocaine Addiction and Abuse
The widespread abuse of crack and cocaine has stimulated extensive efforts to develop treatment and detox programs for this type of drug abuse. Currently government research is focused on finding a medication to block or greatly reduce the effects of crack and cocaine addiction (to be used as one part of a comprehensive treatment and detox program) as well as looking at medications that help alleviate the severe craving that people in treatment for crack and cocaine addiction often experience. Several medications are currently being investigated to test their safety and efficacy in treating cocaine addiction. In addition to medications and detox treatment, behavioral interventions, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, can be effective in decreasing drug use by patients in treatment for cocaine abuse. Providing the optimal combination of treatment services for each individual is critical to successful withdrawal and treatment outcome.
At The Pat Moore Foundation, our mission is to provide an open, caring and proven rehabilitation center. Located in Orange County, California, we have been empowering men and women caught in the life-shattering cycle of addiction for more than 20 years. Our professional staff is certified and highly skilled. Each staff member is also involved in his or her own recovery program and understands the drug addiction rehabilitation process from a perspective that only another drug addict can. Because of this connection our staff is involved in the client's recovery from the first day. Individuals participating in our crack and cocaine addiction treatment programs are in a residential setting and are usually able to participate in counseling and enjoy the company and comfort of their peers. Should individuals require further medical attention, Costa Mesa and the Newport Beach area have renowned hospitals (all in Orange County, California) within a few minutes of this facility.
If you have questions about crack and cocaine addiction for you or a loved one, or if you need help please call us 24 hours a day at (888) 426-6086. There is hope.
For additional information on other drugs and addictions, please see the following links:
Prescription Drug Addiction
OxyContin Addiction
Methadone Addiction
Meth Addiction
Opiate Addiction
Heroin Addiction
Alcoholism
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