Crack cocaine is known as one of the hardest illicit substances that is abused. It can destroy lives, severely affect one's health, or even cause death. The body quickly becomes dependent on this substance, creating a crack addiction, otherwise known as a fatal disease. Some of the common street names for cocaine include base, chalk, hardball, kryptonite, and rock. However, crack it not just found on the streets, it is found within our U.S. schools. Alarmingly, 4% of high school seniors admit to using crack at some point in time. Even 1% of all eighth graders have experimented with this dangerous drug. Efforts need to be made in order to stop the growing issue of teen crack cocaine use.
Crack cocaine is typically smoked. It comes in the form of chips or rocks that are generally white or off-white in color. The body reacts faster to crack and experiences a greater high than what is experienced when using cocaine in it's more natural form. Also, unlike the high of cocaine and other illicit substances, the crack high only lasts for about 5-10 minutes before the drug needs to be taken again. For these reasons, it is highly addictive and often leads to a downward spiral of a life on drugs.
Teens who are abusing crack cocaine often present with warning signs and symptoms. The first warning signs of drug use in teens include a change in friends, personality, and performance. Teens who use crack will often demonstrate periods of unexplained agitation, altered sleep patterns, extreme paranoia, weight loss, the inability to concentrate, restlessness, anxiety, and animosity towards family members. Personal hygiene may suffer and money and valuables may begin to disappear around the house. Crack addiction is so powerful that often people will find themselves doing things they never thought they were capable of to score their next high. Teens who use crack will often isolate themselves and begin to perform poorly in school.
Professional treatment is strongly recommended for overcoming a crack addiction. Physicians can treat the symptoms of withdrawal, while long term behavioral therapy can assist an addict in recovery. Residential treatment centers exist for everyone. Some of them even work specifically with teen addictions. If your teen or someone you know is using crack cocaine or any other illicit substance, seek professional help immediately. The sooner they get help, the better their chance of a successful recovery.
