Crack Cocaine
Cocaine is one of
the most addictive drugs someone can use, and crack cocaine is an even more
potent and addictive version of cocaine. Crack cocaine is produced by taking
the powder version of the drug and neutralizing it with an acid and then
heating it, which produces the end product of little rocks or crystals. These
rocks of cocaine are basically a much more concentrate version of cocaine, and
so individuals are known to become addicted to crack even after just one use.
There are a significantly lower percentage of crack cocaine users than powder
cocaine users because there is definitely a stigma surrounding crack cocaine
use, that doesn’t necessarily surround regular cocaine use. However, many crack
cocaine users attempt to keep their drug use discreet at all costs because they
don’t want to fall into the category of a crack cocaine user or a “crack head”.
So you’d be surprised how many people actually use crack cocaine, and you
wouldn’t suspect it.
Many people become
involved with powder cocaine as a primary drug of abuse and then progress to
crack cocaine because it delivers a more intense high. When a crack cocaine
users smokes crack they almost instantaneously
experience an extreme sense of euphoria and energy because crack cocaine is a
stimulant drug. The downside of crack cocaine use is that this high only lasts
a matter of minutes, as opposed to a typical cocaine high which may last
significantly longer. So while the high from crack cocaine may be more
gratifying and intense, these effects quickly wear off leaving the user with a
less than gratifying feeling as they experience a rapid comedown from the drug
which is anything but pleasant. This compels crack cocaine users to administer
the drug as often as possible to stay high, avoid the comedown, and ward off
the powerful cravings to use the drug that goes hand in hand with crack
addiction.
Individuals
who are addicted to crack cocaine are known to do just about anything to get
more of the drug. It is sad to see someone’s self respect and quality of life
go completely down the drain while they do anything they need to in order to
get more of the drug and to get high. Once someone is in this desperate
position because of crack cocaine addiction, there is very little chance they
will be able to pull themselves out of this dark hole without intervention and
rehab. Because crack cocaine addiction is one of the toughest to overcome,
individuals who are making an honest effort at recovery should seek treatment
in an inpatient or residential drug rehab program which offers a long-term
stay.
It may take several months for a crack cocaine addict to overcome the
physical and psychological barriers to their abstinence, but an intensive rehab
program without distraction if their best bet to be able to make their lives
worth living again. If you know someone who is addicted to crack cocaine and
needs help, contact a treatment counselor at such a rehab program right away to
get the process started.
