Signs of Crack Addiction

Also known as ice cube, rocks, cloud, and many other street names, crack gained popularity as a recreational drug in the mid 1980s. A converted form of powder cocaine, crack is made by dissolving cocaine in a combination of baking soda or ammonia and water then boiling this substance until a solid is produced.  At this point, the solid is dried, broken into white or off-white “rocks” of various sizes and shapes, and then distributed as crack.  The most common way to administer crack is by smoking it.  As many as six million Americans have tried crack once in their lifetimes.  Although both crack and cocaine are highly addictive substances, there is some evidence to suggest that smoking these drugs can lead to addiction more quickly than certain other routes of administration such as snorting.  If you are trying to confirm whether someone you know is addicted to crack, look for the signs listed below.

• Paranoia – Both short- and long-term use of crack can make the person paranoid of those around him or her.
• Moodiness – People who use crack regularly may be irritable and have frequent mood swings.
• Dilated (Large) Pupils – Crack use makes a person’s pupils enlarge, especially relative to the size of those of others in a room with the same lighting.
• Psychosis and Hallucinations – Losing touch with reality and hearing voices or other sounds is another possible sign of a crack addiction.
• Gastrointestinal Issues – A person who uses crack often may complain of nausea or pain in the abdominal region.
• Weight and Appetite Loss – Frequent use can lead to decreased appetite, weight loss, and even malnourishment.
• Paraphernalia – A crack addiction is typically associated with certain tools including a spoon and lighter to mix, heat, and otherwise prepare the substance for smoking or injection.  Users may also have a pipe, syringes, bands of rubber, or pieces of foil.
• Other Physical Symptoms – As a stimulant, crack increases a person’s heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature.  The person may behave as if they have had a sudden burst of energy immediately after use. Crack abusers are at an increased risk for strokes and heart attacks among numerous other problems.
• Obsession with Recreating the Original High – Addicts often find themselves in a cycle of disappointment while seeking the same euphoria that they experienced during their initial use of a substance.  Although repeated use does produce increased dopamine (part of the brain’s reward system), addicts frequently up their dose in an attempt to get the euphoric effect that they had the first time.  This behavior can lead to a dangerous overdose.
• Less Inhibited – A person who uses crack may feel as if nothing bad can happen to them; they may engage in sexual or other risk-taking activities while under the influence.

To help a person who is suffering from a crack addiction, find an appropriate treatment program then set up a professional or informal intervention.  Be sure to also educate yourself on the numerous issues surrounding addiction as well.