Crack cocaine is one of the most addictive forms of cocaine. Ever since it was introduced to the American public in the 1980s, crack cocaine has led to the destruction of families and lives and has even been attributed to the downfall of entire communities. If crack cocaine is causing challenges in your life or in the life of a loved one, Free by the Sea can help via crack cocaine rehab. Located in the beautiful State of Washington, we are one of the most renowned rehab centers in the entire nation.
We are Serving the Nation, based in the Pacific Northwest.
In 1885, researchers first isolated the chemical compound cocaine in the leaves of the coca plant. Coca leaves have been used for millennia by individuals in South America to reduce hunger and increase energy. In the late 1800s, cocaine was used as a medicine and local anesthetic and was widely taken by the populace in the form of pills and beverages for its stimulatory properties. Oral cocaine can depress the appetite and work as a powerful stimulant.
Sniffing or injecting cocaine produces a powerful, short-term euphoric effect followed by a long period of increased energy. The euphoric effect that comes from snorting or injecting cocaine is addictive. Crack cocaine comes in the form of crystallized rocks and is a chemical variant of cocaine. When heated, the crack crystals create vapors that can be inhaled to create an extremely powerful short-term euphoric effect. Crack cocaine is considered the most addictive form of cocaine. At times, crack is mixed with other drugs such as heroin or marijuana.
Using crack cocaine gives a person an intense high. The high is short-term, lasting for around 10 minutes. This experience is followed by a drastic “crash” that leaves the user in a depressed state. Many crack users will take multiple hits of this drug in quick succession in an attempt to avoid the crash.
Individuals who abuse crack will put forth every effort to obtain the drug regardless of the negative effects the drug has on their health, their family, and their ability to maintain employment. When an individual becomes addicted to crack cocaine, there is absolutely nothing they can do on their own to stop. Addiction to crack is a serious medical problem. Contrary to what some individuals believe, drug addiction is not caused by failure or by a lack of willpower. In the same way an individual who has a chronic illness needs medical care, individuals who have become addicted to crack need professional help.
If you or a loved one is showing some of the following signs or symptoms, crack abuse may be the cause:
Crack abuse can lead to many detrimental effects, such as drastic loss of weight, extreme malnutrition, severe damage to the lungs, heart attacks, and strokes. Many individuals who develop a long-term addiction to crack experience episodes of paranoia and psychosis.
Using crack during pregnancy is detrimental to the health and well-being of the fetus. In worst-case scenarios, crack use can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths. Using crack during pregnancy can result in premature labor. If the child survives, some of the common effects of maternal crack use are severe growth deformities, withdrawal symptoms, and developmental issues after birth.
The speed and intensity of the euphoria produced by inhaling crack are believed to be some of the reasons it is so addictive. Another reason is because of the unpleasant downs a crack user feels as the euphoria wears off.
Individuals who use crack often become addicted to the drug and suffer extreme withdrawal symptoms. Many feel they cannot live without the drug. They will experience physical symptoms such as vomiting, shaking, pain, and cravings. They will also deal with emotional and mental symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Individuals who try to quit on their own will often fail as a result of the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
Crack addiction is a very serious medical condition that can only be dealt with through professional medical care. A good rehabilitation center is going to offer comprehensive treatment to help individuals beat their addiction.
Recovery is a process, complete with various steps and phases. But, to begin recovering from substance dependence, it’s important for individuals to go through a treatment process. This process may differ from person to person, but it typically includes detoxification, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and aftercare.
The first step is detox. As mentioned before, withdrawing from substance use can be very difficult. It is both uncomfortable and potentially life-threatening, depending on the symptoms that occur. These symptoms often cause people to relapse in an attempt to pacify or eliminate the discomfort that comes when a person stops using alcohol or drugs.
During this step of treatment, individuals can safely and comfortably work through the withdrawal process. Medically supervised detox can help relieve some of the symptoms of withdrawal, making the process more bearable for those who are working to end addiction.
Detox is certainly an important part of the recovery process. So, while we do not provide crack cocaine detox services, we recommend detox placement services. We also offer the treatment programs necessary for individuals to enter after the detox is complete.
Once detox is completed, individuals may enter an inpatient program, also known as a residential program. In an inpatient treatment program for addiction, those who are recovering from substance abuse live at a rehab center for the duration of their treatment.
This provides people with 24-hour access to professional services and medical professionals. Residential treatment is also helpful for those who suffer from severe cases of addiction as it provides them with a safe atmosphere, away from negative and harmful influences at home.
While in treatment, steps must be taken to address the causes of addiction. Underlying problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress must be addressed to achieve successful rehabilitation. Addiction therapy can help individuals to recognize and address these underlying issues.
Throughout a comprehensive treatment program, individuals will work with licensed therapists, attend educational programs administered by professional substance abuse workers, and participate in group and individual therapies. The goal is to teach an addict the coping skills they are going to need to avoid the trap of addiction.
Successful rehabilitation programs start with detox, followed by a few weeks of residential rehabilitation programs, and then finish with outpatient treatment. The residential portion of the treatment program is very important as the recovering addict needs a safe, isolated, structured environment where they can work through their issues and learn how to manage their stress without using crack. Once this is done, they can return to living outside of their treatment facility.
While in outpatient care for addiction, those who are recovering from substance abuse can continue getting professional help and therapy. But, this type of program differs from residential treatment in that those who enroll don’t live at a rehab center. Instead, individuals can live at home or at another off-campus facility while still getting treatment for substance dependence.
This enables people to receive hope and help while still being able to take care of responsibilities at home, hold jobs, and gain a daily routine outside of treatment.
In many cases, individuals will enter an outpatient program after having gone through a residential program. So, as they begin this next phase of recovery, people can do so using the skills and knowledge they’ve acquired throughout inpatient rehab.
There are multiple types of outpatient treatment for addiction. One type is the partial hospitalization program (PHP) model. Another type of outpatient treatment program is the intensive outpatient model. An intensive outpatient program (also known as an IOP) can be beneficial for those who are working to overcome addiction in various ways:
While in an outpatient treatment program for addiction, those in recovery can gain the strength and understanding they need as they continue their recovery journeys.
If you have been struggling with an addiction to crack cocaine, know that you can certainly conquer this challenge. Regardless of what your situation looks like, hope is available for you. Here at Free by the Sea, we are determined to provide you with that hope.
We understand the difficulties that arise in the lives of those who suffer from addiction. No doubt, you have experienced many changes in your life. Perhaps you have lost your job, encountered broken relationships, or become distant from friends and family members. These experiences often occur in the lives of those who struggle with substance dependence. They can lead to depression, fear, and anxiety.
But, you can find the help that you need today; it is only a phone call away. So, if you’re ready to take a step in the direction of healing and health, please reach out to us today. Allow our team to walk with you as you travel down the road to recovery. We will be with you every step of the way, offering you encouragement, motivation, inspiration, and accountability.
There’s no need to wait any longer to gain total freedom from the bondage of addiction. Call us today and begin walking down a new path, one that is full of life and light! We look forward to hearing from you and working with you as you move forward in your journey to a new and healthier way of life.
Dr. Richard Crabbe joined our team in 2019 as our psychiatrist and medical director. He attended the University of Ghana Medical School where he became a Medical Doctor in 1977. From 1978 through 1984, he was a medical officer in the Ghana Navy and provided a variety of services from general medicine to surgeries. He received his Certificate in General Psychology from the American Board of Psychology and Neurology in 2002.