Quit Crack with Laser Therapy Treatments
What is crack?
Crack Cocaine comes from the leaves of the South American coca bush. Crack starts as cocaine and is then chemically processed (boiled) leaving pure cocaine, which is called crack or "rock." It is called "crack" because it snaps and cracks when heated and smoked.
What does crack do to the body?
Crack produces a short "high" feeling that is immediately felt after smoking it (19 seconds), it usually last for 30 minutes depending on the person and the amount smoked.
When the user is coming off their high they often feel an intense feeling of depression, agitation and craving for more. This vicious circle of highs and lows is why many users will try to use as much as possible to keep the high feeling and avoid the "crash." This binging pattern is the beginning of a crack addiction.
What are the short-term effects of crack?
- Alertness
- Heightened energy levels
- Extreme happiness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Increased blood pressure
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Decreased appetite
- Dilated pupils
- Blurred vision
- Sweating
- Unpredictable behavior
- Anger
- Paranoia
- Loss of smell
- Vomiting
- Twitching
- Hallucinating
- Chest pains
What are the long-term effects of crack?
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Sharp sudden increase in blood pressure
- Congested, runny, chapped or bleeding nose
- Increased heart rate
- Abnormal heart beat
- Erectile dysfunction
- Weight loss
- Malnutrition
- Tissue damage and infections
- Infections of the heart lining and valves
- Hepatitis, HIV, AIDS and other diseases can be contracted from sharing dirty needles
- Holes in the barrier separating the nostrils
- "Crack lung" which includes severe chest pain, problems breathing, and high temperature
- Shallow breathing
- Heart attack
- Depression
- Suicidal behaviors
- Seizures
- Stroke
- Death
What are the risks of crack?
Loss of interest in other areas of life including friends, family, school and work are common.
You never know what you are getting (what it is mixed with), how pure it is, or how the crack will affect your body. Overdoses (even on a small amount) are common and are more likely when crack is combined with alcohol or other drugs.
Addiction to crack
Crack is physically and mentally addictive. Crack interferes with the way chemicals are processed in the brain, therefore, people who are addicted feel a strong urge to use, even though they realize it is causing them physical and psychological problems. Crack may become the most important thing in their life, it rules and destroys everything around it. Crack is approximately 75-90% pure cocaine, which is why the addiction is very strong.
Unfortunally crack remains a very problematic and popular drug, many young people are experimenting with cocaine and crack and the addiction is increasing among the younger population. Since crack is more pure than cocaine it is more addictive.
When people stop using crack, it causes them to "crash" sending them from feeling very euphoric to distressed. This severe mood swing brings about strong cravings for more and more. Using frequently to stay high is the beginning of addiction.
Symptoms of crack withdrawal:
- Intense cravings for more of the drug
- Hunger
- Extreme irritability
- Exhaustion
- Extended and restless sleep or sleeplessness
- Depression
- Anger
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