All drugs, when taken in excess, create problems for the user and their loved ones.Crack cocaine is particularly dangerous due to its high availability, relatively cheap cost, and rapid addiction rates. Because it is smoked, it can be harder to catch before it becomes a deadly habit.
Many people know to look for needle tracks or bleeding nasal cavities. But what are the symptoms and signs of a crack addiction? They often fall into three categories: physical, financial and social.
Physical Symptoms:
Smoking crack “delivers large quantities of cocaine to the lungs, producing effects comparable to intravenous injection.” The crack user inhales the drug through a glass pipe. Within seconds, the receptors in the brain have released an overdose of the pleasure chemical, dopamine. This creates brief sensations of euphoria and empowerment before a rapid crash. The drug must then be smoked again to prevent a deep depression.
When a user is on crack, one will notice an increase in talkativeness and energy. The user will discuss grandiose plans or embark on often unachievable projects. When the high wears off, they will become irritable, easily angered and sleep excessively. They usually have no appetite and lose weight quickly. Personal grooming declines.
Financial Signs:
Even though crack is cheaper than many drugs like heroin, the high only lasts a brief time so more drugs are quickly required. Worse, the drug hooks users the instant it is first smoked. Addicts, even if they have good jobs, will soon become desperate for extra cash. If they suddenly start borrowing from friends or family or getting cash advances from work, they are likely using the money to buy crack.
The addiction has increased when they get to the point of pawning items of value or writing false cheques. When they have exhausted these options, users will frequently turn to stealing anything they can find to feed their habit. Although “drug abusers often try to downplay their drug use and conceal their symptoms,” a change in financial practices is hard to hide from loved ones.
Social Warnings:
Crack addiction can be either social or solitary. Although it is not a party drug like ecstasy or crystal meth, people often gather to smoke it in crack houses. Conversely, people who are using crack in an attempt to escape depression or other mental illnesses will often smoke it alone.
Any alterations in routine should be noted. Usually, “a great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to get the substance.” The user may begin to take time off work regularly, disappear frequently on mysterious errands, or make excuses for going to the bank, the pawn shop or particularly low-end neighborhoods.In the house, they may secrete themselves in the bathroom or the basement, claiming to have ailments or to be working on projects.
Keep an eye out for paraphernalia such as Brillo pads, baking soda, matches, and glass pipes. Also be aware of the use of masking devices such as cough drops or cigarettes. Additionally, their friends may often change or they may stop spending time in public places. Crack use will alter every aspect of the addict's life. Paying attention to these symptoms, signs and warnings can catch crack use from when it starts and hopefully stop it before it creates irreparable damage.
Catherine Owen - Catherine Owen, MA 2001, has published ten award winning books of poetry/prose. Her writing is lyrical, well-researched and fully ...
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