Unfortunately, there are many types of drugs, and it is common for new substances or variants to emerge over the years. If we tried to make a list of all the drugs currently being used, we would probably never finish. One of the most popular drugs—and one that causes the most addiction—is cocaine. And cocaine, in turn, is the origin of one of the most dangerous drugs in existence. We are referring to crack, a variant of the white powder that wreaks havoc due to its high addictive component. This drug, which has been around for several decades now, has unfortunately managed to establish itself as one of the most popular substances.
What is crack?
As we said, crack is a form of cocaine obtained by dissolving powdered cocaine in a mixture of water and baking soda. The mixture is then boiled until a solid substance forms. Next, the solid is separated from the liquid, dried, and broken into pieces or rocks—what we call crack. It gets its name from the sound it makes when it is heated to be smoked (it makes a “crack” sound, like small popping bursts).
Origins of crack
While the use of coca leaves as an intoxicant dates back three thousand years, crack was developed during the cocaine boom in the 1970s and its use became widespread in the mid-1980s. The emergence of this drug was due to the situation in the United States in the late 1970s. At that time, there was a major oversupply of powdered cocaine being brought into the country. This caused the price of the drug to fall by as much as 80%. Faced with this situation, traffickers turned the powder into crack, a solid form of cocaine that could be smoked.
Broken into small pieces, this type of cocaine could be sold in small quantities, to more people, and with greater profits. It was cheap, easy to produce and use, and highly profitable for traffickers. In early 1980, the first reports of crack use began to appear in different US cities. Later, between 1984 and 1990, the biggest wave of use of this drug took place. This “epidemic” greatly increased the number of people addicted to crack. The spread of the substance was such that in 1987 its presence was reported in almost every state in the country. Since then, the use of this drug has continued to spread from north to south in the Americas and from Europe to the rest of the world.
Symptoms of crack use
Crack is a psychoactive drug and, in turn, a powerful stimulant. Using this substance usually produces a rapid feeling of euphoria. When taking crack, energy, alertness, and concentration increase. This happens due to the acceleration of different mental and physical processes as a result of the drug’s stimulant effect. If the substance is smoked, the effects are immediate, as it is easily absorbed, passing from the lungs into the bloodstream. From there it travels quickly throughout the body and to the brain.
If we compare it with cocaine, a period of crack abuse increases the risk of developing tolerance, dependence, and addiction. When smoked, the effects of this drug reach the brain faster, but their duration is also much shorter—approximately fifteen minutes. That is why, due to this shorter period of effects, crack addiction can develop even more quickly. In fact, a person can become addicted even after using it just once for the first time.
The symptoms after taking crack are:
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Talking a lot
- Difficulty sleeping
- Restlessness
- Dilated pupils
- Loss of appetite
- A lot of energy
- Being physically active
Short- and long-term effects
After the feeling of euphoria produced by crack use, the individual enters a depressive-nervous state. This can lead them to take another dose. Among the short-term effects resulting from use are:
- Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
- Nausea
- Sleep disorders
- Erratic and sometimes violent behaviour
- Hallucinations and irritability
- Depression
- Anxiety and paranoia
- Panic and psychosis
In the long term, the effects can be much more serious. An addict who has been using crack for some time may experience serious respiratory problems, including difficulty breathing, lung damage, and bleeding. On the other hand, they are also at greater risk of suffering serious damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys, and are more prone to infectious diseases. Not for nothing, crack is the fourth deadliest drug in existence.
A very dangerous addiction
Crack is an extremely addictive drug, which leads the user to need more and more of this substance to feel “good”. As with cocaine, addicts lose interest in other areas of life. When not using the drug, the addict experiences severe depression that becomes more intense after each use. If the person cannot get crack, that depression can become so strong that it can lead them to suicide.
It is possible to treat crack addiction and, to achieve it, the first step is detoxification. This consists of the controlled withdrawal of the substance and is usually carried out in a detox centre. In this way, healthcare professionals can monitor severe physical withdrawal symptoms. During this process, the patient may experience mood swings, agitation, and anxiety depending on the amount and duration of their addiction.
Once the detox phase is over, it is very common for the patient to go to an addiction treatment centre. It is then that the procedure focuses on the psychological aspects of addiction, where the individual receives individual and group therapy. Crack users who decide to follow a treatment to stop using this substance can regain control of their lives. CCAdicciones is an addiction treatment centre that helps the patient return to a full life without any dependence.
