Cocaine is a strong central nervous system stimulant that interferes with the reabsorption process of dopamine, a chemical messenger associated with pleasure and movement.  The buildup of dopamine causes stimulation of receiving neurons, which is associated with the euphoria commonly reported by cocaine abuse.  Its effects can last from 20 minutes to several hours depending upon the dosage of cocaine taken, the purity of the cocaine and the method of administration. 

Crack is cocaine that has not been neutralized by an acid.  This form of cocaine comes in a rock crystal that is heated and smoked in what is commonly referred to as a crack pipe.  The term “crack” refers to the sound that the rock crystal makes when heated.  Smoking crack results in a much quicker high than if the drug were to be snorted because the vapors are immediately absorbed through inhalation into the bloodstream.

Initial signs of stimulation from crack cocaine use includes hyperactivity, restlessness, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and euphoria.  This euphoria is typically followed by feelings of discomfort and depression, with a strong craving to experience the drug again.  Sexual interest and pleasure can be amplified.  Side effects can include twitching, paranoia, and impotence, which usually increases with frequent usage.  With excessive use, the drug can produce hallucinations, paranoid delusions, itching and formication, where the individual may feel as “bugs are crawling” under their skin. These dangers follow over into severe withdrawal symptoms, drug rehab centers can help a crack addict through the dangers of withdrawal.

The dangers of crack cocaine are numerous and sometimes, deadly. Even first time users may suffer the serious consequences of smoking crack.  Cocaine related deaths, regardless of use, are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizure followed by respiratory arrest.

Physical Dangers of Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine use can lead to:

1. Constricted blood vessels
2. Dilated pupils
3. Increased temperature
4. Increased heart rate
5. Increased blood pressure
6. Daily disturbances in heart rhythm/heart attacks
7. Chest pain
8. Respiratory failure
9. Strokes
10. Seizures
11. Headaches
12. Gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain and nausea
13. Malnourishment
14. Death

When people mix cocaine and alcohol consumption, the individual compounds the danger each drug poses and unknowingly forms a complex chemical experiment within their bodies.  The human liver combines cocaine and alcohol and manufactures a third substance, cocaethylene, which intensifies cocaine’s euphoric effects, while potentially increasing the risk of sudden death.

Social Dangers of Crack Cocaine

The social consequences of heavy crack cocaine use, as with most addictions, usually leads to the alienation of friends and family.  Crack cocaine users tend to become isolated and suspicious, even paranoid.  Most of the crack addict’s time is spent coming up with ways to get their next high.  Most of their time and money is spent thinking about crack and how to get it.  Crack addicts will lie, cheat and steal in order to get their fix.  Loved ones will be set aside because the crack addict is consumed with their addiction.  This obsession usually leads to job loss due to absenteeism and consequently, poverty. 

Crack cocaine also places a heavy burden on society.  Crack houses are rampant in urban areas and those who find themselves living in neighborhoods where crack houses take up shop are introduced to an increase in violence and drug related offenses.  Because crack cocaine is so easy to make, it is also very affordable, making it readily available to a wide spectrum of social classes in society.

Crack cocaine is highly addictive and although the user will not experience any physical withdrawal symptoms, the psychological impact of withdrawal is severe.  Even users who have only tried crack cocaine one time have an extremely difficult time giving it up.   

Facts of Crack Abuse

Labaratory tests have shown that a monkey will press a bar more than 12,000 times to get a tiny bit of cocaine. Then, upon receiving the cocaine, the monkey will immediately begin pressing the bar again to get more. This provides some insight into just how addictive cocaine can be.

In 2005, 33.7 million Americans aged 12 and older reported having used cocaine at least once in their life. 7.9 million of those reported having used crack cocaine, the crystal rock form of the drug.

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that fuels a $35 billion industry, now the most profitable exported product for the country of Colombia. Because crack is smoked, the high is more immediate, though lasting only 5 to 10 minutes instead of the high of up to 30 minutes that can come from snorting or injecting powder cocaine.

Crack is a stimulant that, when abused, can lead to paranoia, delusional thinking and hyperactive, violent behavior. The advent of the more affordable crack cocaine has driven the drug into poorer neighborhoods. Cocaine, once known as “a rich man’s drug” because of its expensive cost, is now freely available to all economic stratas. It is also more affordable for teenagers. However, the body’s demand for cocaine will grow in accordance with the length of the addiction. Thus, the expense of the habit may become astronomical, despite how affordable it may be initially. Treatment and recovery from a crack cocaine addiction is possible, but the length of treatment will vary depending on circumstances like the duration of the addiction and whether other addictions or mental issues have developed.

Crack Cocaine Facts

• Crack cocaine is a powerful stimulant, and thus highly addictive.
• The prevalence of addiction to the drug increased dramatically in the 1980’s.
• Crack cocaine made by boiling powder cocaine in a mixture of water, ammonia and baking soda until a hard substance forms, which is then dried and smoked.
• Crack is so-named because of the crackling sound heard when the drug cooks.
• Crack cocaine typically has the appearance of large white or off-white rocks.
• The smoking of crack cocaine provides an immediate, intense, euphoric effect.
• Smoking is more addictive than snorting, typically done with powder cocaine.
• More than 6 million Americans 12 or older used crack at least once in their life.
• Almost four percent of U.S. high school seniors have used crack at least once in their life, about a quarter of which had used it within the last month.
• About 265,000 Americans were reported current users of crack in 2000.
• Crack cocaine can cause paranoia and aggression.
• Powder and crack cocaine both cause constricted blood vessels, increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; and risk of cardiac arrest and seizure.
• Crack cocaine additionally can cause respiratory problems like coughing, shortness of breath, lung trauma and bleeding.
• A high from crack cocaine subsides within 15 minutes.
• The average federal sentence for low-level crack dealers and first-time offenders is 10 years and six months, 18 percent less than the average sentence for murder