Crack cocaine, often called as 'Crack', is a smokable form of cocaine and is processed by mixing cocaine powder with baking soda or ammonia and water and then heating the mixture till crystals or rocks are formed. Crack cocaine is abused as a person experiences a sudden high or euphoria in a short span. It is a strongly addictive substance and causes harmful effects like paranoia, depression, lethargy, mood swings, and etc. Crack is affordable at low prices as it is inexpensive to manufacture.
Symptoms
The symptoms of crack are fatal. They can cause nose bleeds, chest pains, heart attacks, strokes, brain damage, a risk of respiratory arrest, paranoia, violent behavior, increased blood pressure, tremors, and twitches. It's a drug that should not be messed with.
Physiological Effects
Physiological effects of crack cocaine abuse include dilated pupils, constricted blood vessels, increased blood pressure, an increase in your heart rate, and etc. Intakes of large amount of crack can cause tremors, vertigo, muscle twitches, and etc. As a person gets a sudden high, it may lead to violent behavior, aggression, and etc. Long term physiological effects of crack cocaine abuse include liver and lung damage, respiratory problems, tooth decay, weight loss, excessive sweating, sexual dysfunction, slowed digestion, and etc. Addiction to crack also causes heart attack and severe respiratory problems like congestion of lungs, wheezing, and formation of black phlegm. Smoking crack can also result in severe chest pain and bleeding.
Addiction
Crack cocaine is abused for its addictive properties. It is a potent and addictive form of cocaine. A person abusing 'crack' becomes addicted as higher doses are taken every time to achieve the same high or euphoria. Also, high doses of crack are taken each time to avoid the depression that occurs after the effect of drug recedes. Those addicted can not even feel normal without being intoxicated. They need to take cocaine regularly just to feel normal. Also, those addicted to crack may find it hard to get rid of it due to strong withdrawal symptoms that are witnessed. The withdrawal symptoms are marked by intense craving for drugs , hunger, irritability, paranoia, anxiety, angry outbursts, shaking, and etc.
Consuming crack cocaine after mixing with alcohol can cause a deadly mixture that can imbalance the body chemistry, increasing the risk of sudden death. Addiction to crack is also associated with high crime rates as the person can perform illegal activities, crimes, and thefts to fund his addiction. Various effective treatment programs at rehabilitation centers can help crack addicts to overcome their addiction and withdrawal symptoms.