Crack Rehab

Crack Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Recovering from crack cocaine addiction is a challenging process. However, you can overcome crack addiction and reclaim your life from addiction through a comprehensive rehab program at Icarus.

If you or a loved one has been struggling with addiction, you should seek help. Crack cocaine addiction recovery is a challenging process that requires professional assistance and a solid support system. You will need willpower and support to recover, especially during withdrawal.

Crack addicts usually associate with people who condone or enable their addiction and behavior. Surrounding yourself with positive influences can help you overcome addiction’s biochemical effects and achieve sobriety.

Success rates for crack addiction treatment are higher at rehabilitation centers that focus on helping people beat addiction. After completing crack addiction treatment at Icarus Behavioral Health, we provide various resources to help you stay on track.

Keep reading to learn more about our crack rehab programs.

Understanding Crack Cocaine

Obtained from powdered cocaine, crack cocaine is a highly addictive and potent psychostimulant consistent with a mineral and an off-white hue. It’s often sold as a rock or mineral-like powder.

Crack is often manufactured by mixing powdered cocaine with acids like ammonia and baking soda. This mixture is then heated using a flame or lighter.

Most people who abuse crack use a glass pipe or “stem” to heat and vaporize the drug before inhaling the fumes. Others improvise and use aluminum foil or soda cans. Although most people smoke crack, some users prefer injecting the drug. They dissolve the drug using solutions like lemon juice or vitamin C and inject the crack intravenously.

Injecting crack cocaine into the bloodstream causes a rush of high or euphoria. However, it predisposes the user to various dangers like crack cocaine overdose and increases the risk of contracting infectious diseases like hepatitis.

The name crack cocaine comes from the popping or cracking sound that this drug produces when heated. It has many street and slang names, including:

• Rock
• Crack
• Candy
• Hard
• Base
• Sleet
• Cookies
• Kryptonite

People who use crack usually have a preexisting cocaine addiction problem. Crack cocaine is less expensive than the powdered and pure form of cocaine, making it easily accessible to people from all walks of life, including those in vulnerable communities.

Crack cocaine use usually escalates quickly into a costly addiction habit with severe implications on health and relationships.

Crack Cocaine Addiction

Crack is usually more potent and addictive compared to traditional powdered cocaine. Because tolerance develops quickly, people who try crack for the first time may become addicted.

Crack addiction is a vicious cycle because the high is intense but lasts for a short while. When someone is addicted to crack cocaine, they need the substance to function normally. As tolerance to crack cocaine develops, the drug’s effects weaken, and the user experiences withdrawal symptoms when they abruptly cease consumption.

This drug dramatically boosts the levels of the reward chemical dopamine. Prolonged crack use lowers the brain’s natural supply of dopamine, leading to addiction.

Because of the potency and intensity of the drug cravings, crack addiction is notoriously difficult to beat. Crack users sometimes fail to understand the full extent of the harm that their habit causes.

If you or a loved one are struggling with crack addiction, please contact the medical professionals at Icarus for more information about crack rehab.

Risk Factors for Crack Cocaine Addiction

There are various factors that can contribute to the likelihood of suffering from an addiction problem. Addiction is a complex condition that may affect people from all walks of life.

Crack coaine addiction usually stems from a blend of factors like:

Environment

Upbringing may play a significant role in a person’s susceptibility to suffering from an addiction. Preteens and younger children are particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon. If they don’t have a stable home life, young people are more likely to start using drugs at an earlier age.

Peer pressure might encourage adolescents to try something new or participate in a popular activity.

Genetics

An individual’s genetic composition may play a role in whether or not they develop a substance misuse disorder. About 50% of a person’s risk for substance misuse can be attributed to genetics, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Having many close relatives with substance abuse problems increases a person’s vulnerability to the disease.

Dual-Diagnosis

Some people can be diagnosed with both mental health and substance abuse disorders. Most people usually suffer from mental health issues or other preexisting medical conditions before abusing substances.

When someone with a mental health issue turns to alcohol or drugs to cope with the distress of a mental health disorder, they risk falling into destructive patterns of substance abuse and dependency.

Route of Administration and Type of Drug

Some substances are more addictive than others, usually because of their potency or the way they are used. Crack cocaine is a hazardous and addictive drug with quick “high” and “down” phases due to its strength and rapid start of effects. This can significantly increase the risk of suffering from addiction.

Trauma

Addiction to crack cocaine is a common coping mechanism for people who have endured trauma or abuse. Some people use drugs as a coping mechanism after experiencing trauma.

Signs of Crack Cocaine Abuse

Crack cocaine induces intense effects, so crack addiction is almost always noticeable compared to other addictions.

With a half-life of only 15-20 minutes, crack requires frequent dosing to keep the high going. And since they focus on their next “hit,” many crack addicts cannot hold regular conversations. They may come across as overly confident and frantic.

If you suspect a loved one is using crack, watch out for the following:

1. Burns or cracks on the fingers or lips
2. Dilated pupils
3. Aggression and anger
4. Restlessness
5. Increased respiration rate
6. Sudden carelessness

Dangers of Crack Cocaine Abuse

One of the worst effects of crack is its high addictive potential. Crack blocks the brain’s dopamine reuptake system, leading to an overabundance of the reward and pleasure neurotransmitters.

Once your brain experiences the euphoric high from crack for the first time, it begins rewiring itself in anticipation of future use.

The Instant Effects of Crack Abuse

There is a wide range of possible reactions to crack because of its unpredictable chemical composition.

The adverse physical and mental effects of crack use are cumulative and get more severe with repeated use. Substance abuse disorders involving crack can have immediate consequences like:

• Intense cravings
• Aggression
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• High blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Seizures
• Slurred speech
• Dilated pupils
• Loss of appetite
• Disrupted sleep pattern
• Fever
• Nausea
• Respiratory failure

Some people who use crack cocaine feel an itching, a sensation frequently called “coke bugs.”

Problems Associated with Crack Cocaine Abuse

The effects of crack addiction can be devastating. When used regularly, crack is hazardous to the liver, kidneys, and heart. Yet because crack cocaine usage suppresses the immune system, crack users are more vulnerable to illness. The dangers of crack addiction are numerous and serious:

• Injury to blood vessels
• Severe depression
• Pulmonary complications
• Hypertension
• Malnutrition
• Liver failure
• Tooth decay
• Abscesses
• Exhaustion
• Infertility
• Paranoia
• Psychosis
• Kidney failure
• Cardiovascular disease
• Stroke
• Death

Recognizing the Symptoms of Crack Cocaine Dependency

Crack’s potency and addictive nature make occasional use a cause for concern. Crack users often break any laws to feed their addiction. Your ability to notice warning signs could save your life or the life of a loved one.

Some common symptoms of addiction include repeatedly exceeding prescribed dosages, developing a tolerance to the drug, experiencing withdrawal, and prioritizing drug use over other responsibilities. These symptoms are part of the diagnostic criteria for crack cocaine dependency outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V).

The next step after discovering someone has a crack addiction is enrolling them in treatment. However, persuading someone whose brain has been reprogrammed to abuse crack repeatedly to enter drug rehab is often tricky. To deal with the possibly aggressive and paranoid behavior of crack addicts, an interventionist may be helpful.

Withdrawal Symptoms

People suffering from a crack cocaine use disorder build up a psychological and physiological tolerance to the substance, making it difficult for them to quit cold turkey. Because of its strength, crack cocaine may cause more intense withdrawal symptoms than other drugs.

Crack cocaine use causes neurological and cognitive changes. The body goes through a period of readjustment during which it learns how to function regularly without the drug when a user decides to put down the crack pipe for good.

During withdrawal, a recovering addict may experience withdrawal signs like:

• Paranoia
• Sadness
• Weariness
• Anxiety and mood swings
• Insomnia and irritability
• Vivid nightmares

Withdrawal symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe depending on the client’s tolerance, metabolism, length of addiction, intensity of habit, and any co-occurring mental problems or other addictions.

Symptoms Crack Cocaine Withdrawal

Crack’s hold over the mind and body is formidable, making it challenging to beat. So detoxing in a recovery clinic is strongly advised.

Post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) occur months after a person has quit taking an addictive substance and can create long-lasting psychological troubles.

Here are some of the telltale symptoms of acute withdrawal syndrome:

• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Sleeplessness
• Trouble focusing
• Mood swings
• Irritability

Long-term withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Anger
• Intense cravings
• Reduced motivation
• Trouble sleeping

Crack Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline

The crack cocaine withdrawal phase usually occurs in different stages. Based on the severity of the addiction, below is what to expect during withdrawal.

Day 1 to 3

Symptoms such as psychosis and muscle aches may appear in the first 24 to 72 hours after the last dose. Some people claim to hallucinate in this stage.

Within the first 24 hours of quitting, many people experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and cravings. After this initial stage, hallucinations, and paranoia usually fade away.

Week 1

Many people go through the first week of withdrawal with anger, extreme fatigue, insomnia, and a general lack of motivation.

Week 2

Recovering crack addicts may experience depression and intense drug cravings. Since the brain is still reacting to the withdrawal process, it does not release enough dopamine to induce positive emotions at this phase. This is a transitional period where anxiety symptoms could resurface.

Week 3 and 4

As the body’s chemistry rebalances, mood swings become more common between the third and fourth week of withdrawal. At this stage, there may be less of a physical craving for crack, but the psychological craving can linger for up to a month longer. Feelings of worry or sadness may also persist.

Crack Cocaine Treatment

People battling crack cocaine addiction often need medical detox to ensure complete recovery. Therapists and doctors at our crack cocaine rehab facility create individualized treatment plans for each patient.

Different crack addiction treatment programs use varying therapeutic approaches, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) through individual psychotherapy, group therapy sessions, or support groups.

Clients can learn to recognize and modify the behaviors and ideas that contributed to their crack addiction, and they can also build effective methods for preventing future relapses with the support of these therapies.

One of the most challenging components of dealing with crack is getting over people’s negative perceptions of the drug. The first step in overcoming a crack addiction is surrounding oneself with supportive people and activities.

Crack Addiction and Rehabilitation Services

Addiction treatment must be tailored to the specific needs of the patient.

Detoxification is usually the first step in crack addiction treatment. However, detox is only the first step in crack addiction treatment services.

Below are some of the most common therapy options:

Trauma Therapy

Drug abuse problems often stem from past traumatic experiences. People may turn to drugs like crack cocaine as a means of self-medication in times of tragedy to try and dull the intensity of their feelings.

Trauma therapy programs can improve the health and well-being of trauma survivors. They help people dealing with trauma and other mental health difficulties. One can start healing from their crack cocaine addiction, mental health issues, and trauma when they obtain treatment.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

A client’s behavior can significantly affect substance abuse and how a patient responds to treatment. Participants in dialectical behavior therapy learn skills that improve their ability to comprehend and control their behavior in different settings.

Dialectical behavior therapy, which encourages a more open and cheerful mindset, relies heavily on mindfulness training. One can learn techniques to alleviate the stress from intense feelings and significant life changes.

This therapy approach works best if you pay attention to your feelings, take charge of your actions, and share responsibility with others.

Recovery Based Mindfulness

The foundation of mindfulness-based sobriety is teaching people to be at peace with their current condition and persevere in the face of adversity. Those who use crack cocaine can take advantage of these services since it teaches them how to identify and deal with their triggers.

From feelings and thoughts to perceptions and bodily sensations, most human experiences happen in response to external stimuli. People in recovery from crack cocaine addiction may relapse if they are exposed to triggers. They can respond more constructively if they practice sobriety based on mindfulness.

Psychosocial Therapy Interventions

Crack addiction treatment programs incorporate a psychological and social perspective to consider the many aspects contributing to the disease. These interventions include outreach courses, group sessions, and counseling are all part of this strategy.

Psychosocial therapy interventions frequently use contingency management (CM). Customers who undergo CM addiction treatment are rewarded in various ways. Those who use CM to quit crack have a better chance of abstinence and are likelier to stick with therapy until successful recovery.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Relapse prevention is the main focus of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). By recognizing the situations that reintroduce cravings for crack, people in recovery can avoid them. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help crack users with their emotional and behavioral problems.

Aftercare Programs

Cocaine Anonymous and other 12-step programs help guide recovering addicts through rehab, one step at a time. It’s possible that some “community-based” programs don’t even involve a therapist. The meetings are moderated by a group member who has completed the recovery process from substance misuse.

Crack Cocaine Rehab Treatment in Nevada

Overcoming crack addiction is challenging, but it is possible. The medical professional at Icarus Behavioral Health can help you reclaim your life from the jaws of addiction. Reach out to our treatment providers today to learn more about our drug addiction treatment in Nevada.