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Crack Cocaine will have various telltale signs that an abuser will experience from their abuse of the drug. Ten signs of crack use are as follows…
Increased Talking
Crack is a stimulant, and therefore a person who is using crack, and is high on crack, will increase their talking. When a person is high on crack they will talk more as well as increase their speed of talking. In addition, a person high on crack may jump from one subject to the next quickly, or may not make sense when they are speaking.
Dilated Pupils
Since crack affects the nervous system, the nerves that impact a person’s iris and pupils in their eyes will be affected. This means that a person on crack will have dilated pupils since their eyes will not adjust to light as they normally do.
Hyperactivity
Since crack is a stimulant, a person on the drug will be more hyper and will have surplus of energy. This can cause a person to become extremely fidgety, and it will cause a person to have a difficult time sitting still. A person on crack can engage in various activities while on the drug.
Crack Pipes
Crack is typically smoked in a crack pipe, and when a person is abusing the drug frequently they will have these pipes lying around their house or their personal space.
Red Eyes
A person abusing crack can have blood shot eyes, or they may experience swollen eyes. If a person’s eyes are red and their pupils are dilated, along with increased activity, they are most likely abusing crack.
Highs and Lows
Crack creates a quick high to develop in a user’s body when smoked, but this high that a crack user gets from the drug is short-lived. So when a user gets high from the drug they may feel extremely happy and have a surplus of energy, but when the high wears off they will be extremely fatigued and sad. This willl results in a user have extreme highs and lows, which results in rapid mood swings.
Depression
According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research, since crack works on the brain’s system of reward, withdrawal symptoms occur when the drug’s effects wear off; depression is one of the most common withdrawals from crack cocaine.
Crack increases dopamine in a user’s brain, this increase of dopamine makes a user feel more energized, happier and more confident. However, when the drug is out of a user’s system, their dopamine will be depleted, which will result in depression. This effect of crack abuse is unavoidable.
Inability to Sleep
A consistent user of crack will experience sleeping problems due to the drug’s effect of increased energy. A person who continually uses crack may not sleep for days on end, which can result in extreme paranoia and can be dangerous.
Fidgeting
A person using crack will become fidgety when they are on the drug, and even when they are off the drug. When they are on the drug their nervous system will be stimulated causing their hands to twitch and even sometimes the grinding of their teeth.
Financial Loss
Crack is expensive to continually use, and since most people who use the drug feel the need to continually use it to keep their high, a user of crack will experience a great deal of financial loss.
Breaking Free from Crack Cocaine’s Grip
Crack cocaine’s allure can be powerful, but its consequences are devastating. The initial euphoria quickly gives way to a brutal cycle of dependence and health problems. Bloodshot eyes, eye pain, and even infections are just a few of the immediate physical signs. However, the damage goes far deeper, impacting both physical and mental health.
The intense cravings associated with crack cocaine make quitting extremely challenging. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe, adding another layer of difficulty. The good news is, there is hope. Treatment centers staffed by medical professionals offer a variety of evidence-based options like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and support groups.
CBT equips individuals with the tools to manage cravings and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Support groups provide a safe space to connect with others on the path to recovery, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding.
Treatment centers can create personalized treatment plans, offering the support and guidance needed to break free from addiction.