Signs, Symptoms & Side Effects of Crack Cocaine Addiction

People who struggle with crack cocaine addiction often experience serious side effects that can impact physical and psychological health for years.

Article at a Glance:

• Crack cocaine abuse can affect many aspects of a person’s life, including finances, relationships and careers.
• Long-term health effects of crack abuse include tooth decay, stroke, infertility and even death.
• Long-term psychological effects of crack abuse include hallucinations, paranoia and aggression.
• Children born with prenatal crack exposure may exhibit many health and developmental problems.
• Signs of a crack overdose are chest pains, stroke, irregular heartbeat and unconsciousness.

Cocaine Use Self-Assessment

Is your cocaine use a problem?

This self-guided assessment was created to help you evaluate your level of cocaine use. It is not intended to replace a proper, clinical diagnosis of cocaine addiction. You can use your assessment results as a guide to help you:

Are you addicted to Cocaine?

Choose all that apply to you:

I have taken cocaine in larger amounts or over longer periods of time than I intended

I have tried, and failed, to cut down or control my cocaine use

I have spent a significant amount of time obtaining cocaine, using it or recovering from its effects

I have felt overwhelming cravings for cocaine

I have failed to fulfill major role obligations at work, school or home because of my cocaine use

I have faced legal issues because of my cocaine use

I have continued to use cocaine despite it causing recurring conflicts with my friends, family, or coworkers

I have stopped doing activities I once enjoyed due to cocaine use

I have chosen to use cocaine even when it caused bodily injury

I have developed a tolerance to cocaine

I have experienced cocaine withdrawal symptoms or used cocaine to avoid withdrawal symptoms

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Signs of Crack Abuse

Crack cocaine is a volatile drug that rewires a person’s brain to ensure they crave only one thing — crack. This addiction can cause many changes in a person’s life. To someone on the outside, it may seem like the friend or family member they once knew is gone, replaced by a person who no longer has any ties to former interests.

People who struggle with crack cocaine abuse or addiction often experience problems in these areas:

• Finances
• Legal issues
• Interpersonal relationships
• Work responsibilities
• School duties
• Social interactions

While anyone could experience trouble in these areas, these problems are very common among people who struggle with addiction. Often, addiction to crack cocaine or other substances causes trouble in all of these areas simultaneously.

During this addiction, crack becomes the most important thing in a person’s life. Other parts of their life, including their finances, may suffer as they pursue their next high.

Signs of financial trouble due to crack addiction include:

• Loss of employment
• Spending retirement funds
• Spending life savings
• Declaring bankruptcy
• Selling treasured family heirlooms to make money
• Continually asking friends or family for money
• Stealing money

While many financial problems stem from purchasing the drug, people with crack addiction may also experience financial hardship due to associated legal troubles. Hiring a lawyer or paying bail can be very expensive, especially when it becomes a repeated pattern.

Signs of legal trouble due to crack cocaine addiction are:

• Arrests
• Losing a driver’s license
• Losing child custody privileges
• Getting a divorce

Signs of interpersonal problems due to crack addiction are:

• Visiting or speaking with loved ones infrequently
• Becoming violent with loved ones
• Fighting with a romantic partner
• Ignoring parental duties

Signs of work-related problems caused by crack addiction include:

• Being tardy
• Missing days at work
• Taking long breaks while at work
• Appearing high on the job
• Exhibiting risky behavior while at work, such as operating machinery without safety gear or getting into a fight with a manager
• Getting fired
• Receiving complaints from customers, co-workers or managers

Signs of school-related problems due to crack cocaine addiction include:

• Tardiness or absences
• Skipping classes
• Appearing high at school
• Exhibiting risky behavior at school, such as getting into a fight with another student or teacher
• Receiving detention or other forms of punishment for delinquent behavior
• Earning failing grades
• Suspension
• Expulsion
• Inability to graduate due to low academic performance

Signs of social problems caused by crack addiction are:

• Avoiding favorite activities and sober events
• Abandoning hobbies
• Alienating oneself from family, friends or community

Side Effects of Crack Cocaine

A person will experienceimmediate side effectswhen they use crack cocaine. These effects can last for many hours, but some detrimental effects can last a lifetime.Side effects of crack cocaine use include:

• Blood vessel constriction
• Increase in heart rate and blood pressure
• Feelings of euphoria
• Tremors
• Vertigo
• Restlessness
• Muscle twitches
• Increased energy
• Erratic behaviors
• Anxiety or panic symptoms
• Disturbance in heart rhythm

Long-Term Health Implications

The longer a person uses crack, the more likely they are to experience more serious side effects. Crack is a dangerous drug that consists of many harsh chemicals, and it is often mixed with other drugs as it’s made. Over time, thesenegative health effectscompound in the body and can cause extreme physical and psychological reactions.

Thelong-term physical effectsof crack abuse include:

• Tooth decay
• Stroke
• Seizures
• Parkinson’s disease
• Chest pains
• Endocarditis
• Heart disease
• Heart attack
• Lung damage
• Respiratory failure
• Liver damage
• Kidney damage
• Sexual dysfunction
• Infertility
• Malnutrition
• Abscesses at injection sites
• Contraction of infectious diseases
• Hemorrhage
• Death

The long-term psychological effects of crack abuse include:

• Psychosis
• Hallucinations
• Severe depression
• Paranoia
• Aggression
• Irritability
• Disorientation
• Erratic or risky behavior
• Addiction

Signs and Symptoms of a Crack Overdose

One possible outcome of crack abuse is overdose. Overdose occurs when a person ingests too much of a substance, essentially poisoning themselves. The body is unable to detox the large dose before it causes seriously harmful and often deadly side effects. Overdoses are typically unintentional, but sometimes, people may overdose on purpose.

The risk of overdose increases when someone uses crack and another substance,such as alcohol, at the same time. In these cases, overdose typically occurs because the body is trying to detox two drugs at once and cannot dispel them fast enough to avoid harmful effects.

Signs of a crack cocaineoverdose may include:

• Weak pulse
• Slowed breathing
• Clammy skin
• Vomiting
• Periodic loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Clumsiness
• Fidgeting and trembling
• Excessive itching
• Irritability or violent behaviors

A crack cocaine overdose is a medical emergency that can have life-threatening consequences. If you believe you or someone you know may be overdosing, call 911.

If you or someone you love is struggling with a crack cocaine addiction, help is available at The Recovery Village.Contact ustoday to learn about addiction treatment programs that can work well for your situation.