Crack (drug): Its Effects And Consequences Of Consuming It
The world of drugs shows us every day that, in certain circumstances, human behavior can become as irrational as it is self-destructive. The fact of falling again and again into the consumption of an addictive substance that little by little takes over one’s life is an example of the extent to which a single habit is capable of stealing our freedom, without the need to be locked up.
Of course, not all drugs are equally addictive and destructive to the body itself. Normally, those consumed mainly by the lower classes are the ones that have the most toxic and radical effects on the body. In this article, specifically, We will see what the drug known as crack is like one of the most common cocaine variants.
The drug commonly known as crack is a variant of cocaine that It is usually made by boiling cocaine hydrochloride and sodium bicarbonate together When the water leaves in the form of vapor, the sediment of crystals that remains is this substance.
Typically, crack is sold as a stone made of tiny crystals, and a powder can easily be created from this material. Furthermore, although crack is associated with white, these crystals can be practically any color. Now, the degrees of purity of crack stones vary greatly, and It is usually mixed with very different substances such as talcum powder or amphetamines.
It is a drug for recreational use and, due to its commercialization outside of legality, it can be sold completely adulterated and with potentially deadly elements with a single consumption.
Consumption mode
Unlike cocaine in stripes, Crack is consumed by inhalation, heating and smoking it , usually with a pipe or similar object. The name of this drug comes from the crackling sound that is produced when it is heated.
The effects of this drug
Crack is one of the cocaine variants with the most powerful effects on the body. On the one hand, This substance reaches the brain faster than conventional cocaine In fact, it comes into contact with the nerve cells of the brain in a matter of seconds, and in less than a minute the effects reach their maximum.
This peak or “high” also lasts very little so that in a period of time ranging from 5 to 15 minutes the person who has taken crack notices how the euphoria disappears and is left in a state of exhaustion and discomfort.
This is because, when the peak of the euphoric effects generated by crack occurs, the brain is flooded by a large amount of dopamine while when the effects of the drug disappear, the amount of this neurotransmitter plummets to levels lower than those before consumption.
Common symptoms of its consumption
Among the most common effects of crack consumption are feeling of euphoria, panic attacks, insomnia, hallucinations, persecutory delusions and paranoia. And, among the most serious effects, are seizures, psychotic breaks and cardiovascular accidents resulting from the sudden increase in heart rate.
In practice, people who consume crack meet all the characteristics of drug addicts who act by limiting themselves to following all the steps that must be taken to return to using as soon as possible. These behaviors include attempts to steal money, disrupting schedules, and problems staying in the job, deterioration of emotional and social relationships including those involving friends and family, etc.
Regarding cognitive and emotional symptoms, both mood changes and denial of the problem are common, since showing this “weak point” is seen as something that can make other people prevent them from using crack again. In those brief moments of euphoria, those who have consumed crack frequently show joy and complete confidence in their own abilities (often, to the point of delirium), while when the effect wears off, depressive symptoms and insecurities appear. Of course, the more time spent using crack crack the worse the prognosis and the harder it will be to stay away from this drug.
The addictive potential of crack
As we have seen, crack has euphoric effects that are both immediate and fleeting. This, in practice, makes those who consume it try take another dose of this drug a few minutes after consuming since the changes in the body occur very suddenly.
It is currently believed that crack is one of the most addictive drugs both due to the type of habits that are promoted by this immediacy of effects , as well as its chemical composition and the speed with which dependence can appear. In fact, less than 3 consumptions are capable of generating a strong craving and general discomfort caused by the absence of this drug in the blood.
