Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine is a solid, smokable form of cocaine. It is a freebase form of cocaine manufactured in crude laboratories from cocaine. It was very popular in the United States during what became known as the "crack epidemic" from 1984 to 1990. Crack cocaine is again becoming a popular drug and is a problem in many countries. Crack cocaine is an addictive substance and users may need assistance in a drug rehab to stop using it.

Crack cocaine has always been associated with a poorer class of users compared to powder cocaine. Where powder cocaine was seen to be the drug for executives and the middle class crack became associated with ghetto users. Despite this the American crack cocaine industry is worth about a billion dollars a year and accounts for a substantial portion of Columbia's export product.

Cocaine in its purest form is a white, pearly product. Cocaine appearing in powder form is a salt, typically cocaine hydrochloride. Through a fairly simple procedure a kitchen laboratory can process cocaine into crack cocaine. Crack cocaine is made available in "rocks" which are small crystals of the precipitate left in this process. It is a highly potent form of cocaine that provides an intense rush when smoked. The characteristic cracking noise of the crystals as they are heated gives the drug its name.

Crack is easily concealed on the person and is widely available in inner city areas. It is cheaper than cocaine and produces a more intense rush. This has made it into a very popular drug.

Crack is a psychostimulant and affects the internal chemistry of the brain. It produces its effect by causing a large amount of dopamine to be released. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that is responsible for a wide range of behaviour. The sudden surge of dopamine leaves the user feeling euphoric. Smoking freebase cocaine also releases a methylated form of cocaine into the body (much as methamphetamine is a methylated form of amphetamine).

A high from using crack will last about a quarter of an hour after which the abnormal surge in dopamine ends. However the dopamine level will fall below the normal level and the user will feel depressed and low. Many users will then have another hit of the drug which will lead to a resurgance in dopamine. However the brain will take time to properly replenish the dopamine levels and using hits of crack cocaine in rapid succession will result in a diminished effect. Many addicts will desperately try to reproduce the effect of the first hit and compulsively use crack cocaine hoping for the effect that never comes.

Addicts can seek professional addiction treatment in a recognized drug rehab in South Africa to help them come off crack. The favourable exchange rate makes drug rehabilitation centers in South Africa an attractive option to many foreign visitors. Please contact us if you would like help in choosing one.

Direct side effects of using crack cocaine include damage to a number of internal organs. Psychological problems such as depression, problems concentrating, hallucinations, delusions, and irritability have been reported as consequences of using crack. Indirect effects arise as a result of the addict not taking proper care of herself. Dependence is a negative side effect and addiction is commonly associated with crack cocaine. It is possible to overdose on crack. The manufacturing process of crack may introduce a number of other chemicals which could cause their own side effects when the crack is used. Admission to a drug rehab clinic under medical supervision is highly recommended.

Dependence on crack cocaine develops very quickly as users try to use additional hits to replace their falling dopamine levels. One could consider the drop in dopamine levels to be a withdrawal symptom that occurs after just one hit. Users who have been using it for some time are generally unable to stop using it without medical assistance in some sort of detoxification (detox) center. In addition to the physical dependence crack causes a psychological dependence and alters behaviour. This makes it very difficult to break the cycle of addiction.

Outpatient rehab is not normally recommended for crack addicts because the withdrawal symptoms are so difficult to cope with. Admission to an inpatient detox center is recommended so that doctors can help to make the withdrawal symptoms more manageable. It is not unknown for crack addicts to arrive at hospital emergency units with serious complications arising from crack withdrawal. Speak to your doctor about stopping!

Participation in a behavioural intervention such as offered in a drug rehabilitation center will help to address the broader picture of the addiction and replace old addictive behaviour with prosocial coping skills. Drug rehab centers in South Africa will use a multidisciplinary team to address the various facets of the individual. This will help to improve the general functioning of the addict.

As with most other chemicals using crack while pregnant can damage the fetus. Pregnant women who are addicted to crack cocaine should immediately consult with a physician to get help in finding a drug rehab in South Africa that will be able to help her find addiction recovery. Additionally pregnant crack addicts are unlikely to attend prenatal classes or otherwise take care of themselves. This places the baby at risk.

If you would like to find a drug rehab in South Africa please contact us and we will be glad to assess your needs. We offer expert guidance and complete confidentiality. You will be surprised at how competitive professional South African drug rehabilitation clinics are