Crack cocaine is a drug with a long history of severe addiction. Due to its long history, many studies have been conducted to learn about its effects. A recent study released by The Guardian shows that hospital admissions for health disorders relating to cocaine use have skyrocketed in the past ten years.
While hospital admissions for crack are not shocking due to cocaines psychosis side effects, the sheer volume is cause for concern. As the number of users continues to rise, the number of those dealing with crack addiction will as well.
What Are the Signs of Crack Cocaine Addiction?
Crack addiction may come on fast, and the symptoms will appear soon after someone starts abusing the substance. Crack addiction is much easier to determine because it doesn’t follow the typical trajectory of a substance use disorder.
While physical signs may take time to prevail, users will leave brillo and glass pipes lying around that an unsuspecting person may stumble upon. Brillo pads are the pieces of the screen in a pipe that prevents the crack from being sucked into a user’s throat.
Other physical signs that may indicate someone has developed a crack addiction include:
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
- Jerky movements
- Mood swings
- Hallucinations
- Theft
- Premature aging
- Dilated pupils
- False sense of confidence
- Confusion
Severe signs that someone displays during crack withdrawal include:
- Depression
- Psychosis
- Anxiety
- Irritability
How Does Treatment For Crack Addiction Work?
Addiction is a disease with no cure, but with the advancements in addiction science, there have been significant improvements in how we treat the disorder. While treatment alone cannot resolve the cravings a person may experience for a lifetime, it will help give the individual control over their behavior. One way to achieve this is by implementing cognitive-behavioral therapy while treating crack addiction.
The first stage of addiction treatment is known as medical detoxification – this process consists of the client living on-site for a period of seven to 10 days while the drug naturally removes itself from their system.
During detox, the client will have access to around-the-clock care overseen by doctors and other addiction specialists. The staff will supervise your treatment and ensure your well-being during this stringent process.
Once the client finishes detox, they will be placed in residential treatment, partial hospitalization, outpatient, or outpatient services.
Although dealing with crack addiction can be tough, placement into the right level of care will alleviate some of their concerns.
During an extended stay in treatment, various therapies will be available to help the client understand triggers and better understand the root of their addiction.
The most common therapies include:
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- 12-step programs
If you are battling crack addiction, you should seek treatment immediately. Crack cocaine is one of the worst addictions someone can have, and it may cause an individual to sell their belongings and become homeless fast. Fortunately, there are various options for help. Once you start your journey to treatment, you have only just begun. Let the therapists take care of the hard work while you focus on your recovery.
