What is Crack Cocaine?
Crack cocaine is a freebase form of cocaine which derives its name from the crackling sound when heating sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or ammonia during production.
Crack cocaine first emerged in the mid 80’s and has recently become very popular due to its immediate high and inexpensive production costs, making it readily available and affordable for many users.
What Does it Look Like?
Crack cocaine is mainly produced as small rocks and has an off-white colouring. The drug is usually sold in small, inexpensive dosage units. |
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How is it Used?
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The drug is nearly always smoked, usually through a water pipe, or sometimes in cigarettes and joints. The vapour or smoke is inhaled directly into the lungs and is absorbed into the bloodstream as quickly as when cocaine is injected. This produces an immediate and intense euphoric effect. |
What are the Immediate Effects?
The effect of crack cocaine produces a rapid and intense high which lasts anything from five to ten minutes, depending on the strength of the drug. This is usually followed by a less intense high which lasts for approximately twenty minutes, followed by a long low or crash.
Some users can become very aggressive when using the drug, or lose control and put themselves at risk. Other effects can include mood swings, irritability, confusion, depression, increased blood rate and pressure, loss of appetite and shortness of breath.
What are the Long-term Effects?
Long-term use of crack cocaine can result in hallucinations, paranoia, anti-social behaviour, psychosis, seizures, a risk of cardiac failure, stroke, and even death.
Common Street Names
Crack cocaine is also commonly known as Crack, Base, Blow, Stardust, Rocks, Freebase, the Chunk, Hardball and Stones. |
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For further information regarding crack cocaine addiction, please feel free to contact one of our First4Rehab advisors, either by phone or email. Or if you prefer, drop us a text on the mobile number listed below.
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