When talking about the most dangerous drugs on the planet, crack cocaine definitely ranks near the top. It is harmful to the user’s mind, health, spirit, personality, life, and more. People can become dependent upon this drug after using it only once or twice. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, during 2014, there were 1.5 million crack cocaine users age 12 and older in the U.S. This drug flips people’s lives upside down and it can destroy everything good they have in their life.

One of the issues with this drug is the effects don’t last very long. In fact, some crack cocaine users need to get another hit after 5 to 15 minutes of their last use. These types of drug users always have a stash on-hand. They may easily dive into drug dealing, prostitution, or theft, so they can fund their habit. Getting more of the drug is always on their mind.

Another major issue with crack cocaine is the cravings are fierce. As soon as this drug begins wearing off, the user craves more. These cravings can make it difficult for the user to give any attention to their health, family, or any other area of their life.

If you have become addicted to crack cocaine, be sure to get drug addiction treatment right away.

Crack Cocaine Physical Health Effects  

Crack cocaine is a powerful drug. It is in the class of stimulant drugs. It causes major stress to the brain, lungs, vascular system, and the heart of the user. When someone uses this drug, it constricts their blood vessels. These blood vessels will harden over time. When someone uses this drug long-term, the blood vessels can become further damaged. They may then rupture which can cause a stroke to occur. In some instances, crack cocaine can cause cardiac arrest or fatal heart issues.

Early signs of aging often occur with crack cocaine use as well. This is mostly due to the artery hardening and the effects the drug has on one’s brain. Most people who are addicted to this drug don’t live fulfilling lives. They often don’t seek medical care and eat unhealthy food too.

People who use more of this drug will experience more severe effects. Taking in too much of the drug at once can lead to high body temperature as well as convulsions. According to U.S. News, during 2014, there were 5,856 overdose deaths related to this drug.

Crack Cocaine Mental Effects  

Besides physical health effects, crack cocaine can cause many mental effects as well. This drug can cause paranoia, defensiveness, irritation, confusion, and more. Many crack cocaine users feel powerful and bullet-proof when they are high. However, when the high wears off, they may experience feelings of isolation, depression, and may become secretive. Some crack cocaine users hallucinate as well.

While this drug may increase focus for a bit while the user is high, the high only lasts around 15 minutes. Once the high starts wearing off, the addict will lose concentration and may have severe mood swings. Many crack cocaine addicts start driving while focused and then the high wears off and they get into an accident.

Crack cocaine addicts might become forgetful. With long-term use, they may have trouble managing how they respond to life events and situations. That is partly why some of these addicts lose their jobs and become homeless.

Other Effects from Using Crack Cocaine  

There are some other effects someone might experience when using crack cocaine. These effects may include the following:

• Agitation

• Nervousness

• Insomnia

• Nausea or vomiting

• Overheating

• Restlessness

• Psychosis

• Hyperactivity

• Palpitations

• Seizures

• Deliriums

• Stroke

• Anxiety

• Cerebral hemorrhage

• Heart failure

• Death due to respiratory failure

If you have an addiction to crack cocaine, you can get help before the side effects of this drug gets worse.

Crack Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms  

If you are ready to overcome your addiction to this drug, you should know that addiction treatment centers are available to help. The withdrawal process may take between 1 and 3 weeks. The staff members in the detox center will take great care of you. When withdrawing from crack cocaine, some of the effects you might experience include the following:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Paranoia

• Irritability

• Exhaustion

• Disorientation

These are some of the withdrawal symptoms you might experience. However, once you get through this process, you can be on the way to recovering from the addiction.

Recovery from a Crack Cocaine Addiction  

You can overcome a crack cocaine addiction. There are hope and treatment programs available to you today. All you have to do is decide to detox and enter into a rehab center program. From there, you will learn how to manage your life without drugs.

Want more information about how Sunshine Behavioral Health can help? Contact us today.