The Best Methods to Overcome Crack Cocaine Addiction
Drug addiction is a disease that consumes the lives of millions of Americans every year. It destroys families, careers, and lives. Crack addiction is a particularly dangerous and deadly drug. It is highly addictive and damaging, both physically and to your mental health. It takes over your life, leading you down a path of destruction. Crack cocaine addiction causes physical damage to the brain, heart, and lungs.
It can also cause mental health issues, leading to paranoia, delusions, and violent behavior. The addicted individual becomes a shell of their former self, unrecognizable to family and friends.
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If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please seek treatment.
Keep reading to see the dangers of crack cocaine addiction and how our crack detox center at Icarus Behavioral Health in Nevada can help you or a loved one overcome crack!
What is Crack Cocaine?
Crack cocaine is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant that is derived from powdered cocaine. Unlike powdered cocaine, which is typically snorted, crack cocaine is smoked. This allows it to enter the bloodstream more quickly, which in turn produces a more intense and rapid high.
The high can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, and the effects can include increased alertness, heart rate, and blood pressure. It is also known for its ability to quickly lead to addiction and dependence.
In fact, because of its extreme potency, crack addiction can lead to death from overdose or cardiac arrest. Consequently, crack cocaine is widely considered to be one of the most dangerous illegal drugs on the market today.
Signs of Crack Addiction
Crack is a powerful and addictive drug that can cause serious harm to those who abuse it. If you or someone you know is showing signs of substance abuse, it’s important to get help as soon as possible. Below, we will detail some of the most common warning signs of crack addiction so that you can be on the lookout for them.
Changes in Appearance and Behavior
One of the most common signs of substance abuse is a change in appearance or behavior. If you notice that someone you know is suddenly dressing differently or acting out of character, it could be a sign that they’re abusing crack or other drugs. Other changes in appearance or behavior that may be indicative of crack addiction include:
- Sudden weight loss or gain
- Disheveled appearance
- Bloodshot eyes
- tremors or shakes
- Paranoia or anxiety
- Aggressive or violent behavior
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Changes in Work or School Performance
Another sign that someone may be abusing crack is a sudden change in their work or school performance. If they’re skipping class, getting lower grades, or missing work more often, it could be because they’re using drugs. Additionally, if they’re behaving differently at work or school—such as being unusually tired or distracted—that could also be a sign of drug abuse.
Financial Problems
Crack cocaine is an expensive habit to maintain, so one of the telltale signs of crack abuse is financial problems. If you notice that someone you know is suddenly short on cash or asking to borrow money more often, it could be because they’re spending their money on drugs instead of essentials like food and rent. Additionally, if they start selling personal belongings—such as clothes, electronics, or furniture—that could also be a sign that they’re struggling to pay for their drug habit.
Socially Withdrawing from Friends and Family
Crack use can make people feel isolated and paranoid, so if you notice that someone has stopped hanging out with their friends and family members, it’s worth asking if everything is okay. Furthermore, if they start skipping important events—such as birthdays, weddings, and holidays—that’s also a red flag.
The signs of crack addiction can vary from person to person, but these are some common warning signs to look out for. If you notice any of the above behaviors in yourself or someone you know, it’s important to get help as soon as possible. This addiction is a serious problem that requires crack cocaine addiction treatment to overcome.
What are the Effects of Using Crack Cocaine?
Many people are aware of the dangers of using powder cocaine, but fewer are familiar with the dangers of crack cocaine. This drug is a particularly dangerous and powerful form of the drug, and its physical complications and mental health consequences can be devastating.
Physical Effects
The physical effects of using crack cocaine are wide-ranging and can be extremely dangerous. Some of the most common physical effects include increased heart rate and blood pressure, dilated pupils, and increased body temperature. These effects can lead to strokes, heart attacks, and seizures. In addition, crack can also cause problems with your respiratory system, including difficulty breathing and bronchospasm.
Cognitive Effects
Crack cocaine also has a number of cognitive effects. It can impair judgment and decision-making, which can lead to risky behaviors like unprotected sex or driving while under the influence. Crack cocaine users may also experience paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. In addition, the drug can cause problems with memory and attention.
Psychological Symptoms and Effects
The psychological symptoms and mental symptoms and effects of using crack cocaine are often long-lasting and severe. Depression and anxiety are common symptoms of crack use. Crack use typically makes any existing mental illness more severe. In addition, psychological withdrawal symptoms from crack cocaine addiction can lead to alienation from family and friends, job loss, financial ruin, and homelessness.
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Crack Cocaine Detox Center
Crack detox is the first step in recovering from crack addiction. During crack detox, the body eliminates the toxins that have built up as a result of crack use. This acute withdrawal process can produce uncomfortable symptoms and can even be dangerous, which is why it is important to do it under medical supervision. Detox from crack cocaine can cause crack withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, and fatigue. More serious and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms include periods of intense agitation, arrhythmias, and seizure.
Is Detox From Crack Dangerous?
Crack cocaine withdrawal isn’t usually fatal or particularly dangerous on its own, but it can produce some side effects that could be cause for concern. Sever agitation can be a symptom of crack withdrawal, sometimes to the extent that the patient becomes a danger to themselves or others.
Additionally, because crack cocaine withdrawal symptoms often lead to insomnia, an individual may also be at risk for being involved in fatigue-related accidents such as car accidents if they aren’t under supervised care.
Additionally, crack withdrawal symptoms include strong cravings for drugs, which can lead people to relapse. This puts them at an increased risk of overdose.
Finally, suicidal thoughts are another dangerous side effect of crack cocaine detox and the withdrawal process. If you’re experiencing any thoughts of harming yourself during crack detox, it’s important to seek professional help immediately.
Other Crack Withdrawal Symptoms
The withdrawal process from crack cocaine can be an extremely uncomfortable experience and include other crack cocaine withdrawal symptoms than the ones above. They include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Body aches
- Extreme cravings for the drug
- Fatigue
- Flu-like symptoms
- Insomnia/Trouble sleeping
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Restlessness
- Muscle spasms
- Restless leg syndrome
- Paranoia
- Suicidal Ideation
Many people who try to quit using crack cocaine on their own will experience crack withdrawal symptoms (and sometimes other symptoms) and give up before they are able to successfully detox. That is why medically-assisted crack detox is often necessary to help people overcome their addiction to crack cocaine.
How Does Medically Assisted Detox Work?
Medically assisted detoxification (MAD) is the process of withdrawing from drugs or alcohol with the help of medical professionals. This type of crack detox can be done in an inpatient or outpatient setting, depending on the severity of the addiction. MAD is often used for people who are addicted to opioids, alcohol, or other substances that can be potentially dangerous or uncomfortable to quit cold turkey without medical supervision, such as crack cocaine.
MAD usually begins with a comprehensive evaluation by a team of medical and addiction professionals. This evaluation will help determine what level of care is needed and what kind of detox protocol will be followed.
Detoxification itself typically lasts anywhere from a few days to a week and involves gradually tapering off the addictive substance. In some cases, medications may be used to help reduce crack cocaine withdrawal symptoms and make the detox process more comfortable. Medications can also be used to decrease intense cravings for the drug. Once you undergo crack detox, it’s important to transition into an inpatient or outpatient treatment program to receive further care.
What Are the Benefits of Medical Crack Cocaine Detox?
There are several benefits to a medical detox, including:
Improved safety: Withdrawing from some substances can be dangerous and even life-threatening if not done properly. Medically assisted crack cocaine detox allows people to detox under close medical supervision to reduce the risk of complications that come with unsupervised detox and quitting cold turkey.
Supervised setting & Support: Detoxing in a medical detoxification program also provides people with a safe and supervised setting in which to withdraw from substances. You will also be around other people who are experiencing the same thing and may have therapy groups with them as well. These types of support groups can be beneficial for people who don’t have a supportive home environment or who have intense cravings and feel like they would be tempted to use them again if they were at home.
Access to care: People who participate in medical detox programs also have access to around-the-clock care from addiction professionals. This can be helpful for people who are struggling with severe crack addiction and need constant support during crack withdrawal.
Medications: Medications may be used during MAD to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and make the process more comfortable.
Access to addiction treatment center: Most MAD programs will also provide access to addiction treatment programs after crack detox is complete. This can be helpful for people who want to start working on a recovery program as soon as possible after detoxing from drugs or alcohol.
Options For Treatment Programs After Crack Cocaine Detox
You’ve made the decision to get help for your crack cocaine addiction. You’ve completed detox and are feeling better physically. But you know the recovery process is long, and you’re wondering what your treatment options are.
One of the first decisions you’ll have to make is whether to go to inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment means you live at drug treatment facilities for the duration of your treatment. Outpatient treatment means you live at home and go to the treatment center for scheduled treatment and activities.
Most people with a serious addiction like crack cocaine will need inpatient treatment to give them the best chance at success. This provides around-the-clock care and supervision. It also allows you to focus on your recovery without distractions or temptations. If you have a strong support system at home, though, outpatient treatment may be an option for you.
Once you’ve decided on inpatient or outpatient care, you’ll need to choose a treatment program. There are many different types of programs available, so it’s important to do your research to find one that’s a good fit for you. Some factors to consider include:
- The length of the program
- The cost of the program
- Whether the program uses evidence-based practices
- The location of the program
- What type of insurance the program accepts
The decision to get help for an addiction is never easy, but it is always worth it.
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Help for Crack is Found at Icarus
Addiction is a serious problem that takes over the lives of those affected. Without help, addiction will continue to ruin lives and families. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, don’t wait to get help. There are resources available to assist you in getting your life back on track.
All phone calls made to our facility are completely confidential. We understand that many of the issues our clients face are sensitive in nature, and we promise to respect the privacy of each and every call.
Take the most important first step of your life and contact Icarus Behavioral Health in Nevada to discuss your treatment options and get started on the road to your sober life.