Author: James Anderson
Crack vs Coke Crack & Cocaine Differences & Drug Risks
The differences between them begin with how each substance is made. Coke is, more specifically, cocaine hydrochloride derived from the coca plant, the majority of which is grown in Colombia and other parts of South America. We will provide a list of symptoms of cocaine addiction that can be used to identify signs of addiction in yourself or your loved ones.
Some people may experience a longer vs. a shorter high, or even no high at all, depending on whether or not the individual has developed a tolerance from chronic use. Cocaine and crack differ in terms of onset and duration of effects. The effects of coke typically begin within a few minutes of use and the high lasts up to half an hour. The effects of crack are more intense, yet shorter in duration, with a near-immediate onset and a high that lasts from 5-10 minutes.
Cocaine is abused by people from varying socioeconomic backgrounds and can be found in many different settings, including music festivals, bars, and parties. For both crack and coke, the short-lived nature of the high can result in a “crash” in which the user may experience depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, and fatigue. Cocaine typically comes in the form of a fine, white powder and is often sold in small plastic baggies or wrapped in paper.
Crack comes in the form of a white crystal rock; while cocaine comes in the form of a white powder. Crack is faster acting than cocaine—because the smoke is inhaled, it takes immediate effect. It takes longer to feel the effects of cocaine, roughly three to five minutes when snorted through the nose, and 15 to 30 minutes when it is injected into the body. Crack generally sells for less money on the street because it is cheaper to produce. Because the cocaine in crack is cut with other substances, there isn’t as much pure cocaine in crack, so the price is less. Seeking rehab for cocaine or crack addiction is an important step toward achieving sobriety.
Abusing any drug is harmful to the fetus, and crack is no different. But pregnant mothers who use crack are not doing more harm, or a particular kind of harm, to the fetus than they are doing when using any other toxic substance. The high begins within 15 to 30 seconds and lasts around five to 10 minutes. When people ingest it through the lungs, it can cause more problems and damage to the lungs than cocaine. Powder cocaine users often use a straw or rolled-up dollar bill to snort cocaine through the nose, but it can be used in other ways.
At rehab, trained addiction specialists can help clients properly taper off cocaine and avoid reusing the drug. Before this law was passed, the United States had a 100-to-1 crack-to-powder cocaine sentencing disparity. The pleasurable effects of cocaine last for a longer period of time than the effects of crack. But crack stays in your system for a similar amount of time as cocaine stays in your system. The helpline at RehabAdviser.com is available 24/7 to discuss the treatment needs of yourself or a loved one. This helpline is answered by Ark Behavioral Health, an addiction treatment provider with treatment facilities in Massachusetts and Ohio.
Addiction Resource is not a healthcare provider, nor does it claim to offer sound medical advice to anyone. Addiction Resource does not favor or support any specific recovery center, nor do we claim to ensure the quality, validity, or effectiveness of any particular treatment center. No one should assume the information provided on Addiction Resource as authoritative and should always defer to the advice and care provided by a medical doctor. The effects of cocaine on the brain stem from the drug’s ability to increase dopamine in brain circuits. Dopamine is a natural chemical messenger that provides euphoric feelings, and cocaine prevents dopamine from being recycled, so large amounts build up in the brain.
How Addictive Are Cocaine and Crack Cocaine?
Many dealers add small amounts of other white powders, like cornstarch or talcum powder, to make more money. Typically, all people struggling with addiction will benefit from aftercare or ongoing support that helps them avoid relapse. Aftercare helps addicts understand that they can avoid relapsing — or ever using crack or cocaine again. This program focuses on the traits that help a person succeed and also tends to the problems that might leave them vulnerable to relapse. This is a type of psychotherapy that combines traditional psychotherapy with interventions. The goal is to cut down on cocaine and crack use and reduce the problematic effects of addiction.
- If you use crack or coke, even just one or two symptoms could indicate that you’re dealing with an addiction.
- Smoking crack or coke both risk damaging your lungs, sense of smell, and other parts of your respiratory system.
- It is extremely important to us that you receive the highest quality medical care from our qualified staff during your stay.
- This is why you have a higher chance of overdosing the longer you use the drug.
The substance got the name “crack” because it makes a crackling sound when people are smoking it. However, it first gained popularity in the late 19th century, when people used it for medicinal purposes. Some physicians and dentists still use forms of it as a topical medication to numb tissue during surgery. The U.S. DEA declared cocaine illegal later in the 19th century, and listed it as a Schedule II controlled substance.
Crack Vs. Coke: The Difference & What You Need To Know About These Fatal Drugs
Individuals with a cocaine or crack addiction often do well in outpatient settings. This allows people to live at home and travel to a treatment center for counseling and support, including individual and group therapy. In some cases, a person might require treatment for one or two hours a week.
There are a lot of myths about crack, specifically making crack seem like a much more dangerous drug. One of the reasons for those myths, according to the ACLU, is that Black people are more likely to use and own crack, whereas White people typically use coke instead. Cocaine has a few medical purposes, unlike many recreational drugs, but its use is still very limited.
Both crack and powder cocaine can lead to a host of physical, psychological and behavioral problems, including addiction. Where the side effects of crack vs. cocaine differ in their potential for abuse and dependence, crack users are at a higher risk of becoming addicted to coke. Crack cocaine addiction manifests clinical signs of dependence, showing much earlier than users of its powdered form. Some people think that cocaine addiction is more difficult to treat than other drugs, but this isn’t true. The studies on treatment for stimulant use disorders, including cocaine and crack, aren’t in-depth enough to understand all the complexities of withdrawal and recovery. If you or a loved one are experiencing signs of crack or cocaine addiction or other substance use disorders, our treatment center can help.
Crack Rock vs. Cocaine Powder
If you ingest coke (eat it), it can cause bowel damage, eventually leading to bowel decay over time. If you choose to snort coke, it can cause a runny nose, damage to your sense of smell, and difficulty swallowing over time. Crack vs. coke might not seem like an important difference, but it is. You shouldn’t use them interchangeably, partly because the two have different dosages and can affect you differently when you use them.
Since it was so much cheaper, it became popular in mainly low-income communities throughout the U.S. To find a treatment program, browse the top-rated addiction treatment facilities in each state by visiting our homepage, or by viewing the SAMHSA Treatment Services Locator. If you or a loved one are seeking recovery services that accept your medical insurance, reach out to Infinite Recovery today.
Side-Effects Of Crack Vs. Coke
The user not only gets less actual cocaine, but they also ingest substances not fit for human consumption. At Casa Palmera, our goal is to aid you in a comprehensive spiritual, physical, and emotional recovery. We offer treatment for chemical dependencies such as cocaine addiction, drug addiction and alcoholism. It is extremely important to us that you receive the highest quality medical care from our qualified staff during your stay. The street price of crack and cocaine differ significantly, and costs vary by location. In 2002 in Texas, a gram of powdered cocaine cost $50 to $100 in Dallas, $80 to $100 in Houston and $50 to $60 in El Paso, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.