Crack Addiction Treatment Programs

Crack cocaine, or crack, is an illegal street drug consisting of cocaine that is mixed with baking soda. Unlike pure cocaine, which is snorted through the nose, crack is smoked in a glass pipe or tube. Proper crack addiction treatment is necessary to break the physical and psychological dependency that results from regular use of this insidious drug, as its potential for addiction and severe harm is even higher than that of regular cocaine.

Smoking crack acts far more quickly on the brain than snorting cocaine does, so that crack produces a faster, shorter, and more intense “high,” or feeling of relaxation and euphoria. After about twenty minutes, the feeling of euphoria is replaced by discomfort, irritability, and nervousness. The only way that a crack user can deal with the unpleasant effects of crack is to smoke more crack, so that crack dependence quickly results.

Finding help for crack addicts is crucial, as addiction to crack can quickly destroy an addict physically as well as psychologically. If you or a loved one needs help finding a treatment program for crack addiction, please call us at (800)660-0896 or fill out our contact form so that we can direct you to resources that you can use to begin healing.

Signs You Are Addicted to Crack Cocaine

Once a patient or someone close to him or her notices one or more of the following major signs of addiction to this drug, crack addiction treatment should be sought out as soon as possible. These symptoms are:

• Insomnia
• Depression/Suicidal thoughts or behavior
• Psychotic behavior

Insomnia

Because crack is a stimulant, repeated use of this drug can lead to insomnia, or sleeplessness. In addition, an addict who must constantly consume crack remains alert longer than is normally possible, because of this stimulant effect.

Depression

A crack addict will experience depression when deprived of crack, as the user’s brain is no longer able to release hormones that maintain psychological equilibrium. Instead, the patient alternates between feelings of intense pleasure when using the drug and intense depression when he or she cannot obtain crack. The depression can be so severe that it leads to suicidal thoughts or behavior. Help for crack addicts, including emergency admission to a crack addiction treatment program, should be obtained at the very first expression of any suicidal thoughts or feelings.

Psychotic behavior

Overuse of crack, which is very common due to the constant supply needed to avoid withdrawal, can lead to psychotic behavior related to the release of excessive amounts of a brain chemical called dopamine. This behavior can be dangerous, or just take the form of a total break from reality. Such behavior is the most severe of all signs you are addicted to crack cocaine, and it is a medical emergency.

Treatment for Crack Addiction

Crack addiction treatment often begins with detoxification, so that withdrawal from crack is managed with medication and other medical procedures in order to prevent acute withdrawal symptoms. Treatment that addresses the root cause of the addiction, including private and group therapy, begins as soon as possible after the acute detoxification process. Residential crack addiction treatment must usually be followed up with intensive outpatient counseling and monitoring in order to provide permanent help for crack addicts and prevent relapses.

If you or a loved one exhibits symptoms of crack addiction, call our free and confidential help line at (800)660-0896 or fill out our contact form so that we can help you find crack addiction treatment programs and other forms of help for crack addicts.