Drug Addiction - Crack

Crack addiction is one of society's greatest problems today. Individuals addicted to crack will do almost anything to get the drug. It has penetrated all levels of our society; rich, poor, and everyone in between. Family members connected to individuals with a crack addiction live in chaos and confusion, not understanding the underlying mechanics of crack addiction. The chemical cocaine hydrochloride is commonly known as crack. Some users chemically process cocaine in order to remove the hydrochloride. This process is called "freebasing" and makes the drug more potent. "Crack" is a solid form of freebased cocaine. It is called "crack" because it snaps and cracks when heated and smoked. Crack creates a feeling of euphoria and confidence in users. Using crack "24-7" causes the user's brain to release large amounts of the neurotransmitter dopamine. The high experienced from using crack is as short-lived as it is intense, only lasting for up to 10 minutes. After the user comes down from using the crack, they feel depressed. The person doesn't like feeling depressed and looks to use crack to make them feel good again. They continue using crack in a vain attempt to recreate the intensity of the initial high or may go into a crack binge where they use repeatedly over several days.

There are many risks associated with having an addiction to crack, but one of the biggest is the addiction itself. The constant desire and need for another crack fix and chasing the initial heights of that first high means that an individual with an addiction to crack will do anything in their power to obtain more of the drug. Crack addiction overwhelms all other needs. Some symptoms of crack addiction include: ignoring family and work responsibilities, disappearance of personal effects (sold to obtain more crack) and neglecting personal grooming and hygiene.

Additionally, users will also experience harmful physical side effects from crack addiction, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, as well as intense sweating and dilation of their pupils. Other physical effects from crack addiction which may take longer to manifest and can include stroke, extreme weight loss, heart attack and even death, either from overdose or from prolonged stress on the body from the constant use of the drug to feed the crack addiction. The long term effects of crack abuse begin with the very first dose and steadily worsen from there. Some effects of crack can be subtle or extreme, and while some, like weight loss or feelings of power, may appeal to some in the beginning, it quickly becomes apparent that these effects are not positive at all. Weight loss due to crack addictions, for example, can quickly spiral out of control, leading to malnutrition, and dehydration. Digestion of food slows significantly, leading to possible intestinal and bowel problems, and a burning sensation on the lips and throat from using crack is not uncommon.

Crack withdrawal can occur quickly after the very first use of the drug. As the crack drug addiction grows, the symptoms will get worse and worse. Those who are addicted to crack cocaine will experience withdrawal symptoms if they do not take crack on a regular basis, and fear of these symptoms is often enough to drive people to ramp up their use of crack. Some crack cocaine withdrawal symptoms commonly experienced include fatigue, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, pain in the bones and muscles and anger or violence .

A crack overdose can cause serious problems, and death is not an uncommon outcome. Depending on the severity of the crack addiction, the amount of cocaine required to cause an overdose varies from person to person. The length of time the symptoms of overdose from crack will last can vary as well. Due to the fact that cocain is often combined with other drugs to make crack, an overdose can easily happen even to an experienced user. Some of the major dangers of a crack overdose include cardiac arrest (heart attack), rise in body temperature, stroke, kidney failure and even death.

Crack addiction statistics show that there are many more people who are voluntarily checking themselves into rehab centers in order to be free of crack addiction. It is much better for an individual addicted to crack to voluntarily enter a drug rehab program. In doing this themselves, they are taking the responsibility in admitting they have a problem. When you admit that crack addiction is affecting your family, your financial status, and your health, you take a big step to living a much happier and healthier life, and a step closer to recovery from crack addiction.