Crack Cocaine
"Crack" is the term given to the rock or crystal form of cocaine. Cocaine itself is often mixed with other substances to increase the amount and thus make more money for the dealers.. Crack however, is the form of cocaine before these additives have been introduced. The term "crack" comes from the crackling sound it makes when it is heated.
Crack is far more potent and pure than most other cocaine, being anywhere between 75-100% pure. Crack is generally smoked and the fumes inhaled allowing the toxins to reach the brain more quickly and making a very intense short-lived high. It is this initial sensation that generally hooks someone on crack, often in a single use.
Cocaine was often associated as a "rich man's drug," not true of crack. Street prices are so low that even teens can purchase it. As the intense a sensation it produces, the high is so short-lived, one rapidly begins to need more and more crack with which to get high. One reason behind the continual craving for more crack is the sharp "coming down" after the short intense high which can be equally as intense. The drug takers answer to this sudden and intense depression is more crack. This only makes the cycle worse until at last the addict is out of the drug, leaving him or her depraved and in a state of miserable hopelessness or even worse, dead from overdose. The addict's only solution is to do whatever it takes, to obtain more of the drug.
Crack and Immorality
The subject of whether drugs themselves are moral or not moral has been one in question for ages. Although this subject may best be taken up with an individual's spiritual adviser, there are several real world factors that do come into play. Statistically, for example, almost half (49.8%) of the people arrested in Atlanta, Georgia used crack in the past.
Addicts and those connected to crack users commonly report the crime associated with crack use. The drug itself does cause irritability, paranoia, hostility and violent behavior.
The intense feelings the drug gives and the intense lows that linger and produce uncontrollable cravings convincing even the most initially steadfast individual to resort to all sorts of criminal activities just to obtain more crack. Prostitution, theft and violence all go hand-in-hand with crack addiction. This poses a moral dilemma for society. Punishing someone who is addicted is hardly a solution to their overcoming addiction, however, given the individual has committed crimes of note, the law and its penalties enter the scene.
The Effects of Crack Cocaine
According to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), about 1.1 million people reported past year crack use and 395,000 reported using crack cocaine in the past month. 2.1% of eighth graders report using crack cocaine and the percentages increase as age increases.
Although not the most abused substance, crack cocaine makes up for that in terms of damages per user. Not only is there an intense high and a tremendous low after taking crack, taking it one can experience increased heart rate, muscle spasms and convulsions. However, the drug doesn't stop affecting the person when they aren't taking it. The user can experience paranoia, anger, hostility, and be anxious as an after-effect of taking it. Any use of the drug increases the risk the user could exprience heart attack, stroke, seizure or stop breathing.
Although sudden death is the most tragic of effects from crack usage, there are some other effects that have been reported that can create a nightmarish existence for the user. Crack not only produces episodes of violent behavior, but also hallucinations of both sound and tactile. One of the most reported hallucinations is a feeling of bugs or insects crawling on or burrowing under ones skin. Psychosis is also possible.
There is an additional factor with crack cocaine. When cocaine or crack is taken with alcohol, the liver can combine the cocaine and alcohol into a third substance called "cocaethylene" and this increases the risk of sudden death more than just cocaine alone.
The Solution to Crack Addiction
Solving crack cocaine addiction is not easily done. Given the intensely addictive properties of crack, both physical and psychological, it cannot be expected to resolve itself in a fast 30 day program where the individual leaves to return into the same environment he was last doing crack in and be expected to stay clean.
A correct solution to crack addiction is a full Narconon cocaine abuse treatment program. Narconon offers the full gamut of tools necessary to effectively rehabilitate a drug addict. Crack is so addictive that a single use can send one down the road to hard-core addiction. To overcome this addiction when the addict has been so tormented by the drug, it does require a full Narconon cocaine abuse treatment program which includes: the Narconon withdrawal program, the Narconon New Life Detoxification program, and a series of drills to orient the person into present time and give him or her abilities they did not previously have including the ability to confront without flinching or withdrawing and thus be able to face their problems in life instead of running away from them in the form of drug use.
Narconon drug rehabilitation also includes a full series of life skills courses. These courses are specifically designed to help addicts overcome the troubles in their lives that had them start using in the first place. The Narconon Life Skills courses teach students new skills that they can start to apply immediately and help them restore their lives and their relationships with others. They leave the addict empowered to lead a new and drug-free life leaving their life of crack addiction behind them.
The Narconon program has been successfully rehabilitation drug addicts for over 44 years. Call Narconon today at 877-237-3307.
Resources:
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy www.narcononrehab.com
The National Institute of Drug Abuse
The Foundation for a Drug Free World
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration