Crack cocaine is a commonly used illegal drug, but many people are unclear about its specific effects. Is crack addictive? How addictive is crack? And how does a cocaine addiction treatment program help people overcome crack addictions? With so many unknowns, it is normal to seek the advice of experienced professionals.
If you or a loved one is struggling with a cocaine use disorder, contact the team at Serenity Grove by calling 844.904.3485 to learn more about how our drug rehab center in Georgia can help.
What Is Crack?
Crack is an illicit drug that is made from cocaine. Like cocaine, crack can make people feel energetic, sociable, and alert. Yet, crack has one key difference: it is made by mixing cocaine with certain chemicals so that it can be smoked.
As such, crack cocaine reaches the bloodstream much faster than powdered cocaine. It enters through the lungs, which have numerous blood vessels that quickly distribute the drug throughout the entire body. The effects of crack hit people much faster and stronger than powdered cocaine.
Is Crack Addictive?
Crack cocaine is an addictive drug. Crack affects the brain in a specific way that motivates people to repeatedly use the drug despite harmful consequences. This is mostly due to the fact that crack cocaine directly affects the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is associated with reward, motivation, and addictive behaviors.
Your brain produces dopamine naturally whenever you take an action that brings pleasure. It is commonly released during sex, eating, socializing, or engaging in your favorite hobbies. After dopamine is released, the body reabsorbs and recycles this neurotransmitter, saving it for future use the next time you take a rewarding action.
Crack cocaine disrupts this natural recycling process. When somebody smokes crack, large amounts of dopamine are released and then blocked from being recycled by the brain. This can lead to:
- Repeatedly seeking out crack cocaine
- Lower levels of dopamine being released during normal activities
- Loss of interest in things outside of crack cocaine use
- Intense feelings of euphoria while under the influence of crack cocaine
- Feeling unmotivated or depressed when not under the influence of crack cocaine
In addition, crack cocaine use can have several undesirable side effects. While it may create pleasurable feelings and alertness, it can also result in paranoia, irritability, restlessness, and extreme sensitivity. Crack cocaine use can quickly develop into a substance use disorder, further affecting your relationships, physical health, and emotional well-being.
How Addictive Is Crack?
Crack is one of the most addictive drugs on the planet. Its direct effect on dopamine makes it much more addictive than drugs like benzodiazepines, alcohol, and marijuana. Crack is considered almost as addictive as heroin, though it does not cause the same degree of physical dependence.
In addition, crack cocaine is much more addictive than powdered cocaine. Crack reaches the bloodstream much faster than cocaine, and more of the drug can be ingested at once. This sudden influx of drugs is associated with a higher risk of addiction.
Start Treatment at Serenity Grove Today
If you or a loved one is suffering from a crack cocaine addiction, reach out to the addiction professionals at Serenity Grove today by calling 844.904.3485. Our team has decades of experience helping people overcome addiction, start new lives in recovery, and rebuild the sense of holistic health that can sustain them for years to come. We know how hard it can seem to stop an addiction on your own, but the dedicated team at Serenity Grove is here to help. Our experience has shown that anyone can recover from a crack cocaine addiction, provided they take the first step of reaching out to receive help.
