One of the Toughest Types of Addiction: Crack Addiction

There are few substances that get such a total hold on the user – psychologically as well as physically – as much as crack cocaine.

This substance is made from powdered cocaine. A chemical process turns it into a solid “rock” that is smoked. The effect is more intense than powdered cocaine but last a shorter time.

But crack addiction can result very quickly, more quickly than powdered cocaine. The intensity of crack addiction can bring you down to the bottom in a hurry. The thing about this drug is that once you start, it is very hard to stop.

In fact, people smoking crack will often keep going until the supply is gone and there’s no way to get more. As their crack addiction gets more severe, they’ll begin to look for any way to continue using the drug. This could include lying, stealing, and even committing acts of violence.

Other things in life begin to lose their importance. You don’t care about friends or family. All you care about is the drug. You may stop going to work, or show up under the influence. You may sell valuable possessions: cars, houses, jewelry, to get more crack.

What makes crack addiction so difficult to recover from is that it has such a strong psychological effect. Physical withdrawal is not the most serious obstacle; often that is past after a few days.

But the craving and longing for the drug continues well past your last use.

With crack addiction, there is a great danger of relapse for a long time after the addict has become abstinent. Serious steps must be taken in order to recover. First, you must get rid of any drugs or drug paraphernalia in your possession.

Then you must sever ties with people you used to use with, and people you used to buy from. If you don’t do this, relapse is very likely.

An in-patient treatment program is the best way to begin a long-lasting recovery from crack addiction. This can be followed up by attending a 12-step program like Cocaine Anonymous.