About Crack Addiction Recovery

Overview

Crack, also referred to on the street as "rock," is cocaine that has been purified. Although crack addiction presents with many of the same symptoms as cocaine addiction, crack is used in a different manner and has different effects on the body. Crack is inhaled by heating and smoking it, and it is transported to the brain and through the bloodstream in as little as 10 seconds. Each puff provides a high that lasts about 15 minutes.

Considerations

According to Narcanon, an established drug treatment program in California, crack addiction is a leading social problem because of the lengths crack addicts will go to get their drugs. Treatment and recovery are vital to both addicts and society at large. Crack addicts face a high risk of overdose and poisoning because the drug is absorbed into the lungs very quickly. Every area of society is affected by crack addiction, which increases health care costs, breaks up families and crowds legal systems. Crack poisoning can result in a coma, convulsions and death. Intervention that results in recovery from crack addiction should be provided soon after an individual begins using, because the short, intense highs lead to dependency quickly, within weeks or months of the first experience.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal from crack cocaine is not life threatening but typically requires a lock-down time of 1 to 3 days when the addict will want to use more with a fierce intensity. Physical withdrawal symptoms include vomiting, nausea, disturbed sleep and fatigue. The psychological withdrawal symptoms are the most difficult to overcome and can include agitation, anxiety, angry outbursts and intense cravings. Counselors at Narcanon say it is overwhelming depression that usually drives crack cocaine addicts to continue using.

Treatment

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), there is no medical treatment available for treatment of crack addiction. Behavioral interventions, including cognitive behavior therapy, are the most effective forms of treatment. Once past the initial intense cravings of withdrawal, addicts can begin to uncover the illogical reasoning that drives their continued drug abuse and find ways to change their thinking and behavior. Treatment is usually individualized to meet the needs of the patient and can be provided at an inpatient treatment facility or on an outpatient basis.

Goals

The NIDA reports that crack addiction is a treatable disease with the proper treatment. Addiction is a chronic disease that is characterized by repeated bouts of relapse and usually requires multiple attempts at treatment. The ultimate goal of crack treatment is to achieve absolute abstinence from crack and other mind-altering substances, because addicts cannot use any substance as it most often leads back to the original drug of choice. With long-term abstinence, addicts are more likely to lead productive lives and minimize the drain on medical, legal and community resources.

Support

Support groups, such as Cocaine Anonymous (CA), are composed of former crack addicts who meet regularly to help each other abstain from using drugs. CA is a 12-step fellowship that bases its philosophy on the popular Alcoholics Anonymous program, only with the emphasis on crack cocaine. Addicts new to recovery often feel more relaxed and accepted by other recovering addicts who can relate to the same experiences. CA promotes complete abstinence from all mood- and mind-altering substances, including alcohol.