Crack is a highly addictive form of cocaine where rehab may be necessary after the first use. Crack creates a sense of such intense euphoria certain individuals may be hooked to the feeling after the first experience with it. Unlike other substances that may be abused, crack poses a true threat of addiction to anyone who experiments with it.

To illustrate how highly addictive crack is, our legal system in the US tries to keep the use of crack under control by giving stiff sentences to low-level dealers and first-time offenders. Possession of any other controlled substance carries a maximum punishment of one year in prison, whereas being caught with crack by the authorities will land someone in prison for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years. Small-time crack dealers and traffickers, on average, receive only slightly less prison time than murderers and are locked up longer than both rapists and individuals with deadly weapons charges.

What Makes Crack So Addictive that Rehab Is Necessary?

Crack affects the sympathetic nervous system which speeds up the body’s physiological processes such as heart and breathing rates. Additionally, it changes the chemistry of the brain. The neurotransmitter known as dopamine causes feelings of pleasure when it is released in the brain. Crack causes excessive amounts of dopamine to be released simultaneously causing the euphoric effects craved by those addicted to the drug.

Crack is generally smoked in a glass pipe. Upon inhalation of the drug, it is absorbed through the lungs, travels through the bloodstream and hits the brain as quickly as 10 seconds after it is smoked. The high from crack comes on rapidly and leaves just as quickly in comparison to other drugs. The intensely intoxicating effects felt from smoking crack lasts only about five to 10 minutes on average. This leaves the user crashing into depression. These hopeless feelings drive the individual to find relief by using more crack. Since the high is so short in duration, you can see how debilitating this rollercoaster ride of the mind can become.

What Physical Effects of Crack Make Rehab Necessary?

The powerful emotional ups and downs of using crack are also potentially accompanied by a multitude of the following physical repercussions:

• Restlessness/Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Formication – feeling of insects or snakes moving under the skin
• Alterations in vital signs (blood pressure, heart and breathing rates)
• Inflammation of mucous membranes
• Injury to nasal passages
• Weight loss due to lack of appetite
• Sexual dysfunction
• Miscarriage
• Miscarriage/stillbirth
• Infertility
• Seizure
• Cardiac arrest
• Lung failure
• Stroke
• Coma
• Death

Who Needs Crack Rehab?

There are a variety of behavioral signs to look for if you are concerned that you or someone you care about has a crack addiction. There are a few behavior patterns common to individuals abusing crack. The speed at which an individual becomes addicted to crack makes these signs appear rather quickly after starting to use:

• Not Enough Money. Crack is expensive, but the user will put buying it ahead of all other things in life. So an addict may be looking to borrow cash for basic needs such as food or rent.
• Stealing. If someone in need of crack rehab cannot find people to lend them enough money, you will start to notice items or cash missing to feed the habit.
• Night Owl. Crack stimulates the body and causes time to slip between the user’s hands. This causes them to be out much later than expected, often far after midnight because they lose track of time.
• Weight Loss. Crack causes the user to lose their appetite which results in the loss of many calories each day. These add up quickly and for some it is typical in just a few short months to lose 50 pounds. If you notice rapid weight loss without an increase in exercise, this is a major sign of crack addiction.

Besides these major signs of crack addiction, a person may exhibit any of the following behaviors that show crack rehab is necessary:

• Getting high on crack is the number one concern over family, work or school commitments
• Much of your mental and emotional energy each day is put toward either finding or using crack
• Only allow people close to you who also use
• Spending more than you can afford on crack
• Have had legal issues that revolve around your cocaine use

Who to Call When Crack Rehab Is Necessary

If you or someone you love needs help getting clean and sober from crack, do not hesitate to call us. We have professional counselors standing by around the clock to answer your questions and assist you in connecting with a crack rehab that fits your personalized needs. All information is confidential. Give us a call and let us help you get your life back under control.