Crack Cocaine Addiction Treatment

The cocaine hydrochloride salt (HCL) can be changed back into to its base form by a fairly simple chemical procedure. This is called 'free basing' and is fairly dangerous because the solvents used are extremely flammable. The resulting form of cocaine is called 'free base' - or crack - and takes the shape of fairly large crystals. It is pure cocaine (i.e. without the hydrochloride HCL) and as itdoes dissolve in water, it must be smoked in order to be taken. It is called 'Crack' because it makes a crackling noise when it is smoked.

Crack is absorbed into the system much faster than when coke powder is snorted and therefore it takes effect very gast. It's a very powerful form of coke and is extremely addictive. It has become fairly common in North America since the mid 1980's.

What is crack cocaine?

Cocaine - like most substances - acts on neurotransmitters in the body. These are chemical messengers that send signals between one nerve cell and an adjacent one. Some neurotransmitters switch nerve cells on - or speed them up, some switch nerve cells off - or slow them down. If any chemical - such as a substance - interferes with these neurotransmitters, this can have all sorts of consequences.

Cocaine interfers with the normal action of at least two neurotransmitters, one is Seretonin and the other is Dopamine. When cocaine is taken - in any form - brain activity speeds up, as does heart rate and breathing rate. Blood pressure increases and so does body temperature. Physical symptoms of coke use may include chest pain, nausea, blurred vision, fever and muscle spasms. These symptoms result from an overworked heart and high blood pressure.

Short term effect of crack cocaine use

  • Increased energy
  • un-explained Decreased appetite
  • Mental alertness
  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure
  • Constricted blood vessels
  • Increased temperature
  • Dilated pupils

Long term effects of crack cocaine use

  • dependency
  • Irritability and mood disturbances
  • Restlessness
  • Paranoia
  • Auditory hallucinations

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