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Cocaine is a stimulant made from the coca plant, which is native to South America. People indigenous to areas where coca grew chewed on coca leaves for their energizing effect. In the 1800s, scientists were able to isolate the stimulating substances from coca leaves to create cocaine as we know it today. At one time, it was thought to be a medical advancement, but over time it became clear that the potential for misuse was significant. Cocaine was made illegal in 1914. The popularity of the stimulant declined until the 1950s, when it became popular again. Through the early ’80s, cocaine use was seen as relatively safe until the emergence of crack cocaine.
Crack, also known as crack cocaine, was created in the 1980s due to an excessive supply of cocaine in the United States. Cocaine is dissolved in water and ammonia and boiled until a solid rock-like substance forms. Then, crack rocks are broken into pieces and smoked.
In 2019, Oregon was number 4 in the United States for cocaine use. You may know someone who uses cocaine, or you might have used it yourself. If you or someone you love is using cocaine in powder or solid rock form, you can benefit from cocaine addiction treatment. Cocaine use is not a death sentence, and recovery is possible!
Chemically, crack and cocaine are the same substance. There are no differences between crack and cocaine on a pharmacological level. There are slight differences in the effects of the two substances and how they are treated, but crack and cocaine can be thought of as the same.
The first minor difference between crack and cocaine is that a person will feel the “high” effects more quickly because crack is smoked. This has more to do with the delivery method than the difference between crack and cocaine.
The second and third differences are related. The punishment for crack possession is higher than for cocaine possession. This is related to the higher stigma associated with crack use, even though they are the same substance.
Cocaine, whether powder or rock, stimulates the brain’s pleasure center with elevated amounts of dopamine, a chemical used to carry messages in the brain. As a result, a person feels an elevated sense of alertness and energy.
The side effects of cocaine use include:
Over the long term, cocaine use reduces a person’s sensitivity to natural reinforcers. This means a person will struggle to feel happy without cocaine. Long-term cocaine use also increases a person’s sensitivity to stress. Long-term cocaine use may make people think they can not enjoy anything unless it involves cocaine.
Over time, an individual who uses cocaine will find their tolerance rising. When this happens, a person will need to take more cocaine to achieve the same effects a smaller dose once gave them. If a person uses cocaine for an extended period, ending cocaine use will cause withdrawal symptoms. Anxiety and shaking are two examples of cocaine withdrawal symptoms.
Long-term use of cocaine can create effects such as:
Cocaine use often changes a person’s brain chemistry. Two of the most frequently affected areas are memory and sleep. Reaction time is typically reduced after long-term use. The lungs, stomach, and heart can develop severe problems when a person uses cocaine over time.
There are many myths associated with crack and cocaine. The truth is that these two substances are the same, but they have been treated very differently by society. For example, some believe that crack causes dependence more quickly than cocaine, but this is false. Crack and cocaine have the same properties and contribute to dependence in the same way.
A common myth is that crack leads to more violent crimes. There is no evidence that one substance contributes to more violent crime than the other. Crack and cocaine are the same and affect people who use these substances the same.
Some associate crack with African Americans and consider cocaine a drug for Caucasians. However, there is no evidence that people of a specific race choose one version of cocaine over another.
Cocaine overdose and crack overdose are the same because cocaine and crack are the same. Therefore, one is not more dangerous than the other. However, overdosing on cocaine can be fatal in some instances. Cocaine happens when the stimulating effects of cocaine cause a person’s bodily functions to speed up to a dangerous level. A person amid a cocaine overdose can experience a seizure. Stroke and heart attack are possible outcomes of a cocaine overdose.
Dehydration caused by hot weather can also contribute to a cocaine overdose. Being dehydrated can magnify the effects of cocaine use. Using other substances alongside cocaine, knowingly or unknowingly, can also magnify the effects of cocaine and cause an overdose.
Some of the most common effects of cocaine overdose are::
Calling 911 should be your first step when you become aware of a cocaine overdose. If you know the person, do your best to provide appropriate medical information. A person’s weight, health conditions, and the details of their cocaine use will be relevant information to the dispatcher. As you wait for help to arrive, do your best to keep the person awake. This could involve asking them questions to keep them talking or using appropriate touch to keep their attention. You may not be able to keep them awake. If they do pass out, turn them on their side. Doing this will prevent them from choking if they do vomit. A qualified person can perform CPR until help arrives if needed.
Crack use and cocaine use are technically all cocaine use. However, crack is more readily available for illicit purchase. Currently, crack cocaine is used more often than cocaine.
Are you witnessing the signs of cocaine addiction in your loved one? Are you struggling to overcome your cocaine use and achieve wellness? If so, the professionals at Serenity Lane can assist you in your recovery. Serenity Lane provides proven treatment methods to help individuals struggling with cocaine use or other substance use disorders to end their substance use and pursue full and happy lives. To learn more about cocaine treatment at Serenity Lane, call us today at 800-543-9905.
How is crack made vs. cocaine?
Cocaine is manufactured from the coca leaves native to South America. Crack is a rock-like substance created by dissolving cocaine in water and ammonia. Chemically, crack and cocaine are the same substance.
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