Crack cocaine
Crack cocaine, often referred to as crack or rock, is a free base form of cocaine that can be smoked. Crack provides users with a short, intense high. The Manual of Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment identifies it as the most addictive form of cocaine.[1] An individual addicted to crack is commonly called a crackhead.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Crack is derived from powdered cocaine by dissolving it in a mixture of water and baking soda, which leads to the formation of small, solid rocks. These rocks are then heated and smoked through a pipe, creating an intense, fast-acting high that typically lasts between 5 and 10 minutes.[2]
Crack cocaine gained popularity in the 1980s as a cheaper alternative to powdered cocaine, leading to widespread use and addiction in many urban areas in the United States.[3] The drug is associated with numerous health risks and social problems, such as crime, violence, and poverty.
Health Risks[edit | edit source]
The use of crack cocaine can result in a variety of short-term and long-term health risks, including:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure[4]
- Constricted blood vessels
- Seizures
- Respiratory problems
- Insomnia
- Anxiety and paranoia[5]
- Malnutrition and weight loss
- Sexual dysfunction
- Severe dental problems ("crack mouth")[6]
- Increased risk of HIV and hepatitis C transmission[7]
- Cognitive impairment
- Increased risk of stroke and heart attack
In addition to the physical health risks, crack cocaine use can also lead to psychological dependence, with users developing an intense craving for the drug. This addiction can result in negative social consequences, such as unemployment, homelessness, and criminal activity.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for crack cocaine addiction typically involves behavioral therapy, counseling, and support groups. While there are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically for treating crack cocaine addiction, research is ongoing to develop new pharmacological treatments.[8] Some commonly used behavioral therapies for treating crack addiction include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Contingency management
- Community reinforcement approach
- Motivational interviewing
- Twelve-step facilitation therapy
It is important for individuals seeking treatment to receive comprehensive care that addresses their unique needs, including co-occurring mental health disorders and social support services.
Summary[edit | edit source]
Crack cocaine, commonly known simply as crack, and also known as rock, is a free base form of cocaine that can be smoked. Crack offers a short, intense high to smokers. The Manual of Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment calls it the most addictive form of cocaine. A crack addict is known as a crackhead.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Yifrah, Manual of Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment, American Psychiatric Publishing, 2001, ISBN 9781585623514,
- ↑ What is cocaine? Full text, , National Institute on Drug Abuse, Accessed on: 2021-09-16.
- ↑ Wilson, John P., The Context of Risk: Ethnographic Contributions to the Study of Drug Use and HIV, The International Journal on Drug Policy, Vol. 5(Issue: 4), pp. 191-202, DOI: 10.1016/0955-3959(94)90011-6,
- ↑ What are the short-term effects of cocaine use? Full text, , National Institute on Drug Abuse, Accessed on: 2021-09-16.
- ↑ What are the long-term effects of cocaine use? Full text, , National Institute on Drug Abuse, Accessed on: 2021-09-16.
- ↑ Shekarchizadeh, Hajar, Oral Health of Drug Abusers: A Review of Health Effects and Care, Iranian Journal of Public Health, Vol. 42(Issue: 9), pp. 929-940, PMID: 26171350,
- ↑ Why are cocaine users at risk for contracting HIV/Hepatitis? Full text, , National Institute on Drug Abuse, Accessed on: 2021-09-16.
- ↑ What treatments are effective for cocaine abusers? Full text, , National Institute on Drug Abuse, Accessed on: 2021-09-16.
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