Crack (drug): its effects and consequences of consuming it
The world of drugs shows us every day that, in certain circumstances, the behavior of the human being can become as irrational as it is self-destructive. The fact of falling again and again in the consumption of an addictive substance that little by little is taking possession of one's life is an example of the extent to which a single habit is capable of stealing our freedom, without the need to be locked up.
Of course, not all drugs are equally addictive and destructive to the body itself. Normally, those consumed mostly by the lower classes are those that have more toxic and radical effects on the body. In this article, specifically, we will see how is the drug known as crack , one of the most common cocaine variants.
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Crack: "the cocaine of the poor"
The drug commonly known as crack is a variant of cocaine that is usually made by boiling together cocaine hydrochloride and sodium bicarbonate . When the water leaves in the form of vapor, the remainder of crystals that remains is this substance.
Normally, the crack is sold having stone appearance composed of tiny crystals, and you can easily create a powder from this material. In addition, although crack is associated with white, these crystals can be of virtually any color. Now, the degrees of purity of crack stones vary a lot, and It is usually mixed with very different substances , such as talc or amphetamines.
It is a drug for recreational use and, due to its commercialization outside the law, it can be sold totally adulterated and with potentially deadly elements with a single consumption.
Consumption mode
In deference to cocaine in stripes, Crack is consumed in an inhaled way, heating it and smoking it , usually with a pipe or similar object. The name of this drug comes from the cracking sound that occurs when it is heated.
- Related article: "The 5 types of cocaine (and differences in addiction)"
The effects of this drug
Crack is one of the variants of cocaine with more powerful effects on the body. On the one hand, This substance reaches the brain faster than conventional cocaine . In fact, it comes into contact with the nerve cells of the brain in a matter of seconds, and in less than a minute the effects reach their maximum.
This peak or "rush" also lasts very little , so that in a time that goes from 5 to 15 minutes the person who has taken crack notes how the euphoria disappears and remains in a state of exhaustion and discomfort.
This is because, at the peak of the euphoric effects generated by crack, the brain is flooded by a large amount of dopamine , whereas when the effects of the drug disappear, the amount of this neurotransmitter collapses to levels lower than those before the consumption.
- Related article: "Dopamine: 7 essential functions of this neurotransmitter"
Usual symptoms of its consumption
Among the most common effects of crack consumption are the feeling of euphoria, panic attacks, insomnia, hallucinations, persecutory delusions and paranoia. And, among the most serious effects, are seizures, psychotic outbreaks and cardiovascular accidents derived from the sudden increase in heart rate.
In practice, people who consume crack fulfill all the characteristics of drug addicts who act by limiting themselves to following all the steps that must be taken to return to consume as soon as possible. Among these behaviors are the attempts to steal money, the destructuring of schedules and problems to stay in the workplace, the deterioration of affective and social relationships , including those involving friends and family, etc.
Regarding cognitive and emotional symptoms, both mood swings and denial of the problem are frequent, since showing this "weak point" is seen as something that can make other people stop it from consuming crack again. brief moments of euphoria, who has consumed crack often shows joy and full confidence in their own abilities (often, to extremes of delirium), while when the effect is passed, depressive symptoms and insecurities appear, of course, the more time spent consuming Crack worse is the prognosis and the harder it will be to stay away from this drug.
The addictive potential of crack
As we have seen, crack has euphoric effects as immediate as fleeting. This, in practice, makes whoever uses it try get another dose of this drug a few minutes after having consumed , given that the changes in the organism occur very suddenly.
Currently it is believed that crack is one of the most addictive drugs because of the type of habits that are promoted by this immediacy of the effects , as for its chemical composition and the rapidity with which dependence can appear. In fact less than 3 drinks are able to generate a strong craving and malaise caused by the absence of this drug in blood.
