Cocaine is most commonly produced in powdered form, while crack cocaine is derived from powdered cocaine by combining it with water and another substance, usually baking soda. After cocaine and baking soda are combined, the mixture is boiled. Once it’s cooled, it turns into a solid form which is then broken into smaller pieces, these pieces are sold as crack.
The name “crack” arises from the crackling sound that is produced when the drug is heated and then smoked, according to the Center for Substance Abuse Research. Crack is highly concentrated and it is extremely addictive. If you or a loved one are struggling to overcome crack cocaine addiction, Wavelengths Recovery is here to help. Call us today and together we will start your journey to reclaim your life and get you on a path to sobriety.
Crack Addiction
The effects of crack cocaine can be very intense. Traditionally, people who are addicted to drugs do a good job of hiding it. It’s only when their drug use gets out of control that friends and family become aware. This is rarely the case with crack cocaine. Crack cocaine is very short acting, meaning most addicts take breaks to smoke every 15-20 minutes. Also, the mental obsession associated with crack cocaine can be so overwhelming that addicts cannot hold a regular conversation due to their obsession over their next “hit.”
The Effects of Crack Addiction
- Frequent disappearances (to get high)
- Dilated pupils
- Aggressive behavior
- Restlessness
- Increased breathing rate
- Uncharacteristic irresponsibility
- Burns on fingers
- Cracked or blistered lips from smoking out of a hot pipe
The Short-Term Effects of Crack
Crack causes a short-lived, intense high that is immediately followed by the opposite—intense depression, edginess and a craving for more of the drug. People who use it often don’t eat or sleep properly. They can experience greatly increased heart rate, muscle spasms, and convulsions. The drug can make people feel paranoid, angry, hostile and anxious—even when they aren’t high.
Long-Term Effects of Crack
Crack users may experience severe respiratory problems, including coughing, shortness of breath, lung damage and bleeding. Long-term effects from the use of crack cocaine may include severe damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys. Users are more likely to have infectious diseases. Continued daily use causes sleep deprivation and loss of appetite, resulting in malnutrition. Smoking crack cocaine also can cause aggressive and paranoid behavior. As crack cocaine interferes with the way the brain processes chemicals, one needs more and more of the drug just to feel “normal.” Those who become addicted to crack cocaine (as with most other drugs) lose interest in other areas of life.
Crack Addiction Treatment Program at Wavelengths Recovery
Behavioral therapy is commonly and successfully used in crack cocaine addiction treatment. Here at Wavelengths Recovery, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, therapeutic communities (our each on-teach one model), and outpatient therapy and recovery groups are what we find works best.
Our Medical Director will also work with clients to determine the appropriateness of using Medication-Assisted Treatment to ease the transition to sobriety. Every client is unique, and every crack addiction treatment plan is built collaboratively to address each individual’s needs. Together we will find a solution that works best. Take that first step and call us, for a better tomorrow.
Wavelengths’ Huntington Beach Crack Rehab Centers
Our founder Warren Boyd has been helping people struggling with substance abuse for decades. His leadership has helped us establish an unmatched treatment experience.
Check out our Huntington Beach Rehab Centers to learn more about our comprehensive care and crack rehabilitation services.
Wavelengths’ Sonoma County Crack Rehab Center
Wavelengths’ Sonoma County treatment facilities are located at the Great Petaluma Mill. This new location allows us to better serve our clients from Northern California.
Offering all the same crack counseling services and holistic healthcare, we are bringing our vision of a drug-free society to areas underserved.
Choose from a variety of outpatient programs in Sonoma County, such as partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, and outpatient programs.
