Crack cocaine, one of the most highly addictive substances around, is a central nervous system stimulant. Crack cocaine is a smokable form of cocaine made by adding baking soda and water to pure cocaine and cooking it down to form little rocks that can then be smoked. It is a freebase form of cocaine that produces a very short, intense euphoria to those that smoke it. 
What Causes Crack Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms?
When a person uses crack cocaine, it stimulates dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain, to produce an intense euphoric feeling and pleasure. The high from crack cocaine is very short-lived, and the cravings after the first hit are intense. Withdrawal from crack cocaine is a lot harder to deal with than regular cocaine.
More About What Causes Crack Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms?
Crack is a central nervous system stimulant. When it is taken, it causes a flood of dopamine to be released. This creates intense feelings of pleasure, increased energy, increased alertness, and intense euphoria. Over time the individual develops a tolerance for the drug and needs more and more to experience the initial high they got. Once they stop, their dopamine levels drop dramatically, and this causes extreme fatigue, depression, and feelings of discomfort. The user experiences a “crash” like effect.
Withdrawal Symptoms of Crack Cocaine
Crack cocaine withdrawal symptoms occur after someone takes a lot of the drug and then abruptly stops. Withdrawal symptoms can even occur when there is still some drug in a person’s system. The US National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus “Cocaine withdrawal” says:
Cocaine produces a sense of euphoria (extreme mood elevation) by causing the brain to release higher than normal amounts of some chemicals. But, cocaine’s effects on other parts of the body can be very serious or even deadly. When cocaine use is stopped or when a binge ends, a crash follows almost right away. The cocaine user has a strong craving for more cocaine during a crash. Other symptoms include fatigue, lack of pleasure, anxiety, irritability, sleepiness, and sometimes agitation or extreme suspicion or paranoia. Cocaine withdrawal often has no visible physical symptoms, such as the vomiting and shaking that accompany withdrawal from heroin or alcohol. (MEDLINEPLUS.GOV)
Withdrawal Symptoms of Crack Cocaine Can Include
Withdrawal from crack cocaine can be debilitating. Some of the symptoms of crack cocaine withdrawal can include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Depression
- Increased appetite
- Feeling of discomfort
- Vivid and unpleasant dreams
- Slow activity and thinking
- Agitation and restlessness
The longer a person has used crack cocaine, the more difficult and more intense the withdrawal symptoms. Long-term crack cocaine use can cause depression and cravings for the drug that could last for months. Some people can even experience suicidal thoughts. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome can also occur in someone that has used crack for the long term. Protracted withdrawal or PAWS is a group of psychological symptoms that can occur for months after a person’s last use. Depression, cravings, trouble coping with emotions, impulse control issues, and difficulty managing emotions are PAWS symptoms.
Overcome Crack Cocaine Abuse at Evoke Wellness
Crack cocaine addiction can destroy a person’s life. Crack cocaine is a difficult drug to come off of. It is a difficult addiction to treat. Recovery is possible, but more importantly than anything, you have to want it. Evoke Wellness offers a safe and comfortable environment for medical detoxification. Our patients are treated extensively so that minimal discomfort is experienced during the detox process. We provide residential treatment in a structured environment and then provide you with after-care support, which is very important for cracking crack cocaine. Evoke Wellness is here to help you get on the road to long-term recovery. Have you had enough? Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? We are here for you around the clock.
