Crack Cocaine: How To Tell If Someone Is Addicted And How To Help

By Author: Michael Herbert
Total Articles: 2
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Crack cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that causes severe adverse health effects to the user. While many individuals attempt to hide their crack use, eventually they will show physical and behavioral signs of addiction. Whether they are having a hard time sleeping, displaying a loss of appetite, or experiencing symptoms of withdrawal, there are many signs of crack cocaine abuse.

If you are worried that your loved one is addicted to crack cocaine, continue reading to learn more about the signs of crack addiction and how to recover.

What are the Signs of Crack Addiction?

There are many signs of crack cocaine addiction to be on the lookout for. Crack cocaine is a rock-like substance, made from the powdery substance cocaine. This drug creates similar effects as cocaine, however, it is more potent. This means that individuals abusing crack cocaine will become addicted to the substance at a faster rate. Addiction to crack requires the help of a drug recovery expert, cocaine detox, and in some cases, drug intervention.

If you are worried that your loved one is addicted to crack cocaine, ...
... watch out for the following signs of crack addiction.

Spotting Drug Paraphernalia

As previously mentioned, crack cocaine is a rock-like substance. This drug received its name from the crackling noises it makes when it is smoked. If your loved one is addicted to crack, you may notice certain items in their home.

The items associated with crack cocaine abuse include:

Straws and burnt tin foil.
Glass pipes or broken light bulbs used to smoke crack.
Aluminum cans with burn marks.
Steel wool, copper gauze, or faucet aerators are used as a filter to keep the crack in place while it's being smoked.
Crack cocaine residue left behind on tables or surfaces.

Crack cocaine may be mixed with other drugs, such as tobacco or marijuana, as this makes it easier to smoke. If you notice an off-white, crystal-like substance being rolled into cigarettes or marijuana joints, your loved one may be abusing crack.

Crack cocaine recovery must be assisted by a professional drug recovery expert. Recovery guides can provide help for families of crack cocaine addicts as well as provide references for reputable cocaine detox programs. Continue reading to learn more about spotting the signs of crack addiction and how to get your loved one help.

Noticing Behavioral Signs

The behavioral signs of crack addiction are easy to spot, as individuals addicted to crack begin to behave erratically. While everyone displays different signs of addiction, there are a few telltale signs of crack cocaine abuse to be wary of.

The behavioral signs of crack cocaine addiction include:

Extreme bouts of euphoria lasting 10-30 minutes.
Cravings to use more crack.
Anxiety or paranoia.
Dilated pupils.
Seizures.
Periods of wakefulness followed by extreme fatigue.
High body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate.
Nosebleeds.
Muscle spasms.
Blisters or burns on the lips and fingers.
Restlessness and irritability.

If your loved one is displaying the aforementioned signs of crack addiction, it’s time to talk about crack cocaine recovery. Drug recovery experts are here to help the families of crack addicts convince their loved ones to attend a cocaine detox program. To learn more about crack cocaine recovery and when to stage a drug intervention, continue reading.

Help for Families: How to Get Your Loved One Help for Crack Addiction

Watching a loved one struggle with crack addiction is never easy. After repeated pleads for them to stop using crack, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to help them. While you cannot choose sobriety for your loved one, there are a few things you can do to help a loved one find recovery from crack cocaine addiction.

Consult With a Drug Recovery Expert

Consulting with a drug recovery expert is the first thing you should do when your loved one is suffering from crack addiction. They can help you decide which course of action is best suited to your loved one. Drug recovery experts help with every stage of recovery, from drug interventions to finding professional addiction treatment programs, and teaching vital coping mechanisms for individuals in early recovery.

Stage a Drug Intervention

If your loved one is refusing help for their addiction to crack cocaine, it may be time for drug intervention. Drug interventions must be facilitated by a professional recovery guide, as this process can be extremely difficult. When you are sitting an addicted individual down to discuss their need for professional treatment, things can get a little heated. This is where the professional recovery guide steps in to neutralize the conversation and redirect it into a positive and helpful interaction. The ultimate goal of drug interventions is to convince the individual to attend professional cocaine detox and residential addiction treatment.

Cocaine Detox

Cocaine detox is a necessary step in the crack cocaine recovery process. When an individual is addicted to crack, their body develops a dependency on the drug. As a result, the removal of the substance from the body will cause symptoms of withdrawal to arise. Cocaine detox provides patients with the medical treatment and mental support they need to overcome their withdrawals and safely detox from crack.

If you or a loved one suffer from the disease of crack cocaine addiction, professional help is necessary. Thankfully, recovery guides are here to help you and your family navigate these difficult times. By providing advice, support, and referrals to professional treatment programs, drug recovery guides can help you and your family recover from the effects of crack addiction.

Michael Herbert, The Recovery Guide, has more than 30 years of experience working closely with individuals and families dealing with addiction and recovery issues. He is a seasoned Coach and can help you and your family establish long-term goals and access the tools you need for continued abstinence and recovery for the entire family. Get in touch with Michael today at 561-221-7677 to schedule an appointment.