A solid form of cocaine that produces a hard-hitting, short-lived high, crack cocaine is one of the most addictive illicit drugs in circulation today. Manufactured from cocaine with a baking soda or similar base, crack cocaine circulates heavily in urban environments, notorious for its affordable street price and “crackling” sound when smoked. Because of the toxic addictives often used in the production of crack cocaine, the drug carries additional physical and mental health risks to those already associated with powdered cocaine.

How Crack Cocaine Addiction Occurs

Crack cocaine hits hard and fast, usually acting on the brain within eight seconds of the time it’s smoked. However, the length of crack cocaine high is relatively short — lasting under 10 minutes in most cases. This causes users to immediately feel depressed and restless, causing many crack cocaine users to immediately redose. This cycle can continue for days, leaving users simultaneously exhausted and wired.

With even one usage, crack cocaine can become incredibly physically addictive–largely due to its intense effect on one of the brain’s vital chemical messengers, known as dopamine. While underlying personal reasons for crack cocaine addiction can vary, studies have shown that users state their reasons as primarily emotional and economic in nature. Two studies in the 1990s cited euphoria, a sense of power and a desire to escape family conflicts as some of the main reasons for crack cocaine use. A Brazilian qualitative study conducted in 1999 had crack cocaine users reporting using the drug to escape depression, get an “adrenaline rush” and trigger feelings of invincibility. Many studies have also cited crack’s relatively low street price as one of the main reasons for widespread use in urban areas.

Benefits of Crack Addiction Treatment

• Physical Detoxification from Crack Cocaine
  Physical detoxification benefits the body in several key ways. Often performed at the outset of treatment (or in cases of outpatient settings, prior to enrollment), physical detoxification provides a drug-free supervised environment in which patients can cease crack cocaine use. Vital signs are monitored by medical staff to ensure against complications that can arise during the withdrawal phase. Detox withdrawal symptoms can be treated with non-addictive medications and psychiatric prescriptions, while the body resumes its natural production of dopamine to regain its chemical balance. Once the body has begun to return to its natural state, cravings will recede as the physical addiction to crack cocaine subsides.
• Supervised Environment
  Professional crack addiction treatment provides a supervised and secluded environment in which to heal from drug addiction. Patients receive treatment in a calming, sober atmosphere customized to promote physical, mental and social health. Structured activities, meals, and exercise regimes are planned for patients alongside mental health therapies in order to help create a sense of order as enrollees are guided through the healing process.
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment Capacity
  Many instances of crack cocaine addiction arise due to individuals’ attempts at self-medicating psychological issues. Involving a wide range of mental health conditions spanning from depression, anxiety and ADHD to more severe diagnoses such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, Dual Diagnosis cases can be difficult to successfully treat. Some addiction treatment centers have the capacity to treat both addiction and mental health issues alongside one another – the method with the highest success rate for those with co-occurring disorders.
• Intensive Therapy
  While crack cocaine remains highly addictive, the development of crack cocaine addiction often involves deeper emotional and psychological issues, beyond the physical. For many individuals, emotional trauma, physical assault, childhood neglect, stress management issues or anger problems contribute to the formation of a crack cocaine addiction. In the majority of cases, crack cocaine addiction has a psychological component regardless, as the user feels an emotional need for the drug. As a result, intensive counseling – both in individualized and group settings – can help recovering crack addicts recognize underlying causes for addiction, recognize triggers for drug use, and discuss stressors and feelings that may engender relapse if unaddressed.
• Physical Healing
  During the course of crack cocaine rehabilitation, physical healing is often an integral part of treatment. Exercise, sleep and nutrition have often been neglected over the course of crack cocaine addiction – allowing the body to begin physical recovery during rehab. Additionally, diagnostic testing for secondary medical conditions that may have arisen over the course of crack cocaine addiction – such as respiratory problems, digestive conditions or dental issues – can be properly treated during recovery at a rehabilitation center. 
  
• Aftercare Specialists
  Once a crack cocaine drug rehab program has been completed, aftercare specialists can meet with individuals to help them plan for a sober future. By identifying triggers for crack cocaine use – including environmental, social and psychological cues that may engender drug use – aftercare specialists can help create actionable plans for continued sobriety. Additionally, aftercare specialists can help locate physicians, therapists and 12-step meetings on a local level, so graduating patients can return home to a strong and ongoing support network.