Crack is a lower purity form of cocaine which ranges from brown to yellowish white appearance. Its texture can be crumbly, oily, hard or crystalline. In simple terms, it refers to adulterated or processed cocaine designed to be smoked. It is mixed with other substances like ammonia or baking soda. In all aspects, crack is cocaine without hydrochloride salt. It only differs in texture and appearance since a pure cocaine is white, smooth and pearly. In addition, crack is commonly taken by smoking and it has a characteristic crackling sound where it is named after. Cocaine, on the other hand, is usually snorted and injected.
Street names of crack: Crack, freebase, Cookie, rock
How is crack consumed?
Crack is commonly abused by smoking the heated powder.
Effects of Crack consumption
Crack produces an initial feeling of intense pleasure or euphoria followed by anxiety, depression, irritability, fatigue and paranoia. These reactions are called, “crash”. Long-term use may also result to the deterioration of physical health and psychological problems.
Impact on the mind/body and health risks
Side-effects of crack abuse:
- Formication (feeling that insects crawl under the skin)
- Severe depression
- Agitated delirium
- Paranoid psychosis
- Inability to feel pleasure
Signs of Crack abuse
Persistent use may result to intense craving for further crack. Tolerance is also developed and the user increases the dosage to experience the same effects. In addition, withdrawal symptoms arise when crack use is discontinued.
Common Crack treatment options
Drug treatment centers offer the best rehabilitation program for crack cocaine users. The programs focus on the three aspects of treatment which embrace abstinence, prevention of relapse and drug rehabilitation.
Crack withdrawal/detox symptoms
Signs of crack withdrawal include craving, psychiatric disorders, depression and insomnia. Anorexia, fatigue, irritability and restlessness also occur.