When cocaine is combined with baking soda or ammonia, it becomes crack cocaine. By smoking crack cocaine, users get a quick high that lasts about 15 minutes. People who abuse crack cocaine can have health problems. Some of the problems that arise from crack cocaine abuse puts users' lives at risks.
Physical Dependence and Tolerance
Crack cocaine is highly addictive and users develop a tolerance to the drug quickly. As a result, people need to use more to become high. If abusers stop using crack cocaine, they can experience withdrawal symptoms. During withdrawal, people have strong cravings for the drug. Emotional disturbances can occur with withdrawal, which can include depression and irritability. Some people can develop anxiety and extreme fatigue. In some cases, people may have psychosis.
Paranoia
The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains that people who abuse crack cocaine can develop severe paranoia. With paranoid psychosis, people lose touch with reality. For example, people can have auditory hallucinations in which they see something that does not exist. Some people may have tactile hallucination, in which they feel something non-existent. With the paranoia, people may think someone is trying to hurt them or report them to the police. People who become paranoid may also become aggressive.
Mood Changes
People who abuse crack cocaine can have noticeable mood changes. For example, people can develop severe depression, in which they have persistent sadness that may lead to thoughts of suicide. Some people may become irritable. Restlessness and anxiety can also occur.
Malnourishment
Crack cocaine can cause a decrease in appetite. With regular use, crack cocaine can lead to malnourishment. Signs of malnutrition include weight loss, fatigue and dizziness.
Heart and Brain Problems
Crack cocaine abusers can have serious heart problems. For example, people can have an increased heart rate and blood pressure. Users may have cardiac arrest. Other heart problems that can occur from crack cocaine abuse include heart disease and heart attack. Neurological problems can also occur, such as seizures or a stroke. If the stroke or heart attack is not treated, death may occur.
Other Symptoms
Crack cocaine abuse can lead to other symptoms. For example, users may have breathing problems such as respiratory failure. Users may participate in more risky behavior in order to get the drug. The University of Maryland's Center for Substance Abuse Research notes that crack cocaine abuse may lead to infertility. Physical symptoms can also occur such as increased body temperature, abdominal pain and nausea.
