Approximately 36.8 million Americans older than age 12 have tried cocaine at least once in their lifetime, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant derived from the coca plant. Crack is specially processed from cocaine into rock crystals that are smoked. The dangers of crack cocaine addiction are many, and they can affect the body both short- and long-term.
Tolerance and Binges
Crack cocaine addicts often search for the intense high or pleasurable feeling they felt the first time they experienced the drug. Over time and with repeated use, however, less pleasure is felt with the same dose, a response called tolerance. As a result, an individual increases the dose frequency and amount to achieve effects similar to the initial high.
Additionally, crack is absorbed very quickly, allowing for a more intense high, but at the expense of a shorter duration of action. Addicts often binge on crack to maintain the pleasurable effects. This can easily lead to overdose, according to National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Central Nervous System
Crack cocaine has many damaging effects on the central nervous system. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain, is primarily responsible for the euphoric feelings associated with crack use. It stimulates the reward center of the brain, a primary reason for the addictive potential of the drug. Normally, dopamine is recycled in the brain after it is released, but cocaine prevents it from being recycled, causing build-up. This can lead to alterations and damage to the brain's reward center causing long-term damage. For example, an individual may only being able to feel "normal" while crack cocaine is in her system, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse.
Physiological Effects
Crack cocaine use has many short-term physiological effects on the body that can lead to long-term complications. Upon ingestion, it constricts blood vessels, dilates the pupils and increases body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. These physiological effects can lead to a decreased desire for food and sleep, leading to malnourishment and other health problems.
Blood vessel constriction reduces blood supply to the intestines leading to diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea and inflammation, according to Cocaine-effects.com. More serious long-term effects of cocaine addiction can lead to heart attack and stroke, cardiac arrest or respiratory failure.
Psychological and Personality
Along with the physical effects of crack cocaine addiction, several psychological and personality changes can occur. Due to the powerful addictive properties of crack cocaine, individuals often resort to lying and stealing to attain the drug, leading to problems with family and work.
Long-term use can also lead to feelings of aggression, irritability and restlessness. It can also cause feelings of paranoia, suicidal thoughts or even delusions and hallucinations, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse.
Pregnancy
Crack cocaine addiction during pregnancy can have long-lasting and damaging effects on the child. Cocaine use increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirths as well as the likelihood of having a premature baby. It also can cause severe developmental disabilities and other birth complications and health issues, such as respiratory and kidney problems. Crack cocaine use during pregnancy also increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
