Crack cocaine, a cooked up form of powdered cocaine, provides an immediate high for those who smoke the drug. It is usually smoked with a "pipe" or some other form of paraphernalia, however some prefer to lace marijuana or tobacco with the drug as well. The initial feelings which occur upon first taking a "blast" of the drug is somewhat of an euphoric high. Following this intense sweep of euphoria- there is a tendency for users to become paranoid, jumpy, talkative, or perhaps totally blank. Sitting or standing with a blank stare is not uncommon for those who smoke crack cocaine; however the way a person responds to crack varies widely, and therefore can not be described in general terms. Even so, most addicts will agree that withdrawals which follow crack cocaine use can be tough to deal with, and can only be relieved with another hit of the drug. At least this is how the addict feels, but fortunately there are treatment centers which can help crack cocaine addicts get over their withdrawals, without the use of additional drugs.
Crack cocaine, just as many other drugs , has a coming down period where the user may get depressed or agitated. Other symptoms can occur while experiencing withdrawals from crack cocaine, these symptoms include:
1. Feeling Anxious- Going without cocaine can cause a feeling of anxiety, because of the intensity of the high, and the effects which it has on the brain, anxiety can occur when a crack addict is without the drug for a while.
2. Strong Urges- Once the addict stops using crack cocaine, they begin to crave the drug quite strongly. This can happen as soon as the high wears off, as many crack users go for more of the drug as soon as their hit has worn off.
3. Depression- As mentioned above, depression is one of the most common affects of crack cocaine. This can be for many reasons- the money which was wasted to get high, when one reflects on what their life has become on crack, or simply because of the contrast to the intense euphoric feeling which is achieved when they take a hit of the drug. When the crack smoker no longer feels the pleasure which crack provides initially, a "down" mood or depression is the only way to feel.
4. Exhausted- Crack cocaine addicts will feel fatigue or exhausted when withdrawing from the drug. This can be for multiple reasons- they may have experienced days without sleep due to binging, they may be tired because a lack of food has made them weak, or because they are depressed. They may have a lack of energy which goes hand in hand with their lack of motivation, due to the extent of their circumstances.
5. Restlessness- When withdrawing from crack cocaine, the user may experience insomnia, or the inability to sleep. Tossing and turning will only provide a few hours of sleep a night, if that. Though many crack addicts may stay up for days on end getting high, they still may have problems getting to sleep once they decide to go.
6. Irritability- Crack addicts often become irritated when withdrawing from the drug, sometimes resulting in violent behavior. This can be a result of wanting the drug and not being able to obtain it, or simply because of the extreme pleasure crack provides. Coming down from the drug will give the user a sense of irritability.
7. Mood swings- There may be mood swings present when a person is withdrawing from crack cocaine. They can go from being elated, to being irritable. This is a result of the body adjusting to being without the drug, even as cravings are still persistent.
8. Paranoia- Psychosis is common among crack cocaine addicts, and one of the most distinctive characteristics is paranoia. Crack addicts will exhibit paranoia as they are going through the stages of their high, but they may also show signs of this during withdrawals, as the drug leaves the body. Addicts are often unbalanced when withdrawing from crack cocaine, their body goes through many different mental states when using the drug- and withdrawing from it isn't any better.
Crack cocaine withdrawals include mental symptoms far more than physical ones . Because crack cocaine provides the addict with feelings of intense pleasure, it can be quite addictive to those who use it. Chasing after the pleasure of the first hit is almost like chasing a ghost- yet crack addicts continue to search; their addiction is marked with cravings which include the feeling of their very first high. Though the drug is not as physically addictive as heroin, and other drugs like it- crack cocaine tends to hold tight to its users, much like the grip of many other narcotics. Due to the nature of the drug, many addicts tend to end up as mental patients long after their last hit. Depression can become so overwhelming that suicidal feelings often occur. This is not for every crack addict, but it is certainly not unheard of. If you or someone you know is addicted to crack cocaine, it is important to understand that life is not over. There is drug free treatment programs which can help lead addicts back to a world of sobriety and mental stability. Another day of smoking crack, is one day too many. Seek treatment, so that withdrawals won't lead to more use- but a road to the life you deserve.