Author: Alex Thompson

Crack Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline, Causes And Treatment

Once you are ready to talk about getting your loved one into crack addiction treatment, The Recovery Village is here to help. We have facilities located throughout the country, and each one provides a full range of inpatient and outpatient services. Contact us today to learn how we can help you, your loved one and your family recover from the wounds of addiction. A crack addiction can put a person at risk for serious health consequences, including death. Preventing the use of this drug is critical because even a single instance of use can lead to addiction or death in some people. Recovering from addiction to crack is challenging, and several common mistakes can make it even more difficult.

In addition to friends and family, a group of other sober individuals can be critical. Those you meet in rehab, aftercare groups or local outpatient programs can help you stay connected to sobriety and remind you of the importance of staying clean. While staying clean isn’t easy and the temptations to use may never go away, the right people around you can help you stay on the straight and narrow.

Some addicts have become clean after 30+ years of abuse, some even longer. You’re here because you’re making a sincere effort to recover. Seeking professional assistance to taper off of crack can lead to a safer foundation for recovery.

1. For example, dehydration is one of the risks during this stage.
2. The action you just performed triggered the security solution.
3. Detoxing the body of the substance and attending psychotherapy can help people with their long-term recovery from crack addiction.
4. Crack addicts going through withdrawal may feel sluggish, depressed and unmotivated in response to the loss of a powerfully stimulating drug.
5. Due to crack’s effects on the body and mind, as well as the severe withdrawal symptoms that can occur when quitting the drug, it is very difficult to forgo treatment.

When this happens, a person is more likely to overdose because their body is no longer used to the drug or the amount they took before detox. As a result, people need to take more of the drug more frequently in order to achieve the same high and prevent withdrawal symptoms. Going cold turkey alone may feel like a more convenient way to get clean, but it’s not the best way to kick the habit. Without oversight and support resources, it’s easier to fall back into old patterns and ways. While cocaine overdoses don’t happen with the frequency of drugs like heroin, it’s important to consider this risk.

Causes of Crack Withdrawal

In 2017, 14,000 individuals died from an overdose that involved cocaine usage. Despite the pop-culture perceptions, cocaine is a dangerous drug and can lead to significant consequences when abused. If you or someone you love is stuck in a cycle of cocaine abuse, the time to get help to quit cocaine is now. You may continue experiencing symptoms for several days after this point, but most addicts see a marked drop-off in withdrawal symptoms around 7 days.

Treating a crack addiction may involve detoxification and therapy. Treatment may occur in hospitals, in therapeutic communities, or in clinical settings. Cocaine and crack are powerful stimulants that give users a euphoric feeling and increased energy, says Dr. Tetrault. Using these substances floods the brain with dopamine, a natural chemical that is part of the brain’s reward system; it stimulates the brain, numbs pain, and helps us feel pleasure. It’s easy to replace crack or cocaine with other stimulants during recovery. You’ll probably feel sluggish and distracted during the first months of abstinence from crack.

More Questions about Treatment?

Living with someone who is addicted to this drug can be challenging, as they may act out violently and have trouble reasoning logically. The term ‘crack’ refers to the crackling sound the crystal makes when it is being heated to smoke. Energy drinks and nicotine cause a variety of health problems. They also force the brain to go through a cycle of energy rushes and crashes that’s similar to the cycle caused by crack binges. Further, the rate of cocaine overdose is on the rise, in large part due to fentanyl adulterating cocaine supplies.

Much of this depends on how much a person was taking and how often they were taking it. Other factors include personal medical history, body weight and height, age and family drug history. The treatment process often begins with detox, where the person is not allowed to consume crack and may experience severe withdrawal symptoms as a result. If you or someone you love is struggling with a crack addiction, The Recovery Village is here to help.

Tips For Recovering From a Crack Cocaine Addiction

This is an intoxicating feeling and carries a lot of risk with it. But when you eat enough (healthy) food and you allow yourself adequate amounts of sleep then recovery becomes easier because the intensity of cravings are lessened. This might seem like odd advice in a post about recovering from hard drugs.

Instead of finding yourself with idle time and letting temptation take over, use your newfound sobriety to reexplore your former passions. Join a running club, buy a new game, buy some new books or take up an instrument. With something new to think about and take up time in your day, it’s easier to leave drugs in the rearview mirror. As advocates of mental health and wellness, we take great pride in educating our readers on the various online therapy providers available. MentalHelp has partnered with several thought leaders in the mental health and wellness space, so we can help you make informed decisions on your wellness journey. MentalHelp may receive marketing compensation from these companies should you choose to use their services.

Learning Center

NO ONE will ever be perfect and NO ONE will ever have it easy in life. There are constant hardships to face, even for people who have never once touched drugs. Yes, it’s important to remove yourself from people who use and the places you’ve used at. Yes, support programs help tremendously and you should seek as much help as you need as it’s helpful to create an environment of support around you. Approximately 1.3 million people in the United States over the age of 12 have a cocaine use disorder, which means they use cocaine or crack.

We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Professional treatment can provide a safe, stable environment to change your habits and get clean in a healthy way. Some people choose to stop smoking crack without any medications and without tapering. People can experience severe withdrawal symptoms even with medical supervision, but nurses and doctors can monitor how the body reacts and treat symptoms as they occur.

If you need help getting through withdrawal, a number of short-term detox programs can help you get through those first few days. When you stop using crack, your body goes into a shock-like state that can produce moderate to severe symptoms. You may feel good now and have no desire to use, but everything changes. If you are attached to these good feelings then you will become desolate when they fade and you’ll have a higher likelihood of relapse.

Your relationship with the person will likely suffer, as addiction affects the brain in ways that lead to changes in behavior and personality. Smoking crack can cause the drug to reach the brain faster than snorting powdered cocaine. As a result, the person experiences an intense rush, followed by a hard crash that can feel depressing and lead to intense cravings for more of the drug.