Crack cocaine: what it is, effects and withdrawal

What is crack cocaine?

Crack cocaine is a strong, highly addictive stimulant, and it's the most potent form of cocaine. It's made by processing powdered cocaine with baking soda or ammonia to create a solid, rock-like substance that can be smoked. It's usually white, off-white or pale yellow, and often comes in small lumps or "rocks".

It takes its name from the cracking or popping sound it makes when it's heated. You may also hear it called by street names such as crack, rock, base or stones. Because it's smoked, crack reaches the brain very quickly and produces an intense but short-lived high, which is a large part of what makes it so addictive.

Crack is a Class A drug in the UK, meaning it's illegal to possess, produce or supply. Public Health England estimates there are over 180,000 people using crack cocaine in the UK, a figure that rose significantly through the 2010s. Even a single use can be harmful, and regular use can quickly lead to addiction and serious physical and mental health problems.

What's the difference between cocaine and crack?

There are many differences between the form, method of consumption, and potency of crack cocaine and cocaine.

Psychological effects of crack cocaine

Crack cocaine delivers a short-term high in which you’re likely to experience heightened feelings of:

• Euphoria
• Hyperactivity
• Tension
• Confidence

These sensations are short-lived, which is what makes crack cocaine such a dangerous drug. In order to keep experiencing the intense highs, people who use crack cocaine will need to take regular doses. This increases the chance of developing an addiction or doing long-term damage to your health.

After the initial effects have worn off, users will quickly move into a comedown phase. During a comedown, you might experience deep feelings of depression, anxiety and anger. The depth of these feelings can often drive people to use the drug again, deepening their dependence on it.

Drug dependencies often lead to people neglecting their daily responsibilities, leading to problems in relationships, social circles and professional life. Over time, regular use of crack cocaine can lead to developing mental health problems like depression or an anxiety disorder.

It’s also possible to develop psychotic symptoms from using crack cocaine regularly. You might experience hallucinations, delusions and paranoia for many hours or even days after your last use. Some people experience what’s known as ‘cocaine bugs’, a hallucination where you feel like something is crawling under your skin.

The effects of crack cocaine on the body

Due to the fact that crack cocaine is generally smoked rather than snorted, this substance can cause severe damage to your lungs, or just generally lead to respiratory issues. For example, users are at risk of acute injury to the lungs, sometimes referred to as ’crack lung’. Crack lung is caused by crack cocaine preventing proper circulation, resulting in permanent damage to the lungs. This can lead to difficulty breathing and chronic chest pain.

Crack cocaine can have many other effects on your body, including:

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure

• Permanent damage to blood vessels

• Seizures or convulsions

• Disturbed sleep or insomnia

• Nausea and headaches

• Strokes

• Heart disease and failure

• Kidney failure

• Liver damage

• Sexual dysfunction and possibly infertility

Crack cocaine can cause physical damage after just a single use, but higher doses and more regular use will increase the risk of serious long-term damage to your physical health. Other factors, such as your size, any pre-existing medical conditions and the use of other drugs alongside crack, can further increase your risk of harm.

Withdrawing from crack cocaine

If crack is used regularly over time, your brain and body can become dependent on it. When you stop or cut down, you're likely to experience withdrawal as your body adjusts. Crack cocaine withdrawal is mainly psychological rather than physical, but the low mood and cravings it brings can be intense, which is why support makes such a difference.

Common crack cocaine withdrawal symptoms include:

• Strong cravings for the drug

• Low mood or depression

• Anxiety, irritability and agitation

• Fatigue and low energy

• Disturbed sleep, vivid dreams or nightmares

• Increased appetite

• Difficulty concentrating

The crack withdrawal timeline

Withdrawal affects everyone differently, and the pattern depends on how much and how often someone has been using, but it often follows three broad stages:

• The crash: usually begins within hours of the last use and can last a few days. This stage often involves exhaustion, low mood, increased sleep and appetite, and strong cravings.

• Acute withdrawal: over the following one to ten weeks, symptoms like low mood, anxiety, poor concentration, disturbed sleep and cravings tend to come and go.

• Extended withdrawal: for some people, occasional cravings and dips in mood can surface for a few months, often triggered by reminders of use.

Because low mood during crack withdrawal can become severe, and in some cases lead to thoughts of self-harm, it's safer not to go through it alone. A medically supported drug detox allows withdrawal symptoms to be managed safely and comfortably, and reduces the risk of relapse. If you or someone you know is struggling, our teams can help. You can read more about cocaine withdrawal and detox or get in touch for a free addiction assessment.

Treatment for crack cocaine addiction at Priory

The effects of crack cocaine can be debilitating, especially if you're struggling with addiction. Thankfully, a full recovery is possible with effective treatment for cocaine addiction.

At Priory, our expert teams can help you to overcome your crack cocaine addiction and get back on track. Our inpatient treatment programmes, delivered across our network of UK rehab facilities, can help you regain control of your life. Get in touch today for a free addiction assessment and discover how we can help with your struggles with addiction.