Crack Detox

Signs of a Crack Addicted 

Crack addiction refers to a substance use disorder where the person is physiologically dependent on crack; they lose control over their use and continue to use the crack despite negative consequences. Approximately 1.3 million people in the United States over the age of 12 have a cocaine use disorder, which means they use cocaine or crack.

Crack Withdrawal

A person addicted to crack cocaine who has developed a physical and psychological dependence on it may experience cocaine withdrawal symptoms when quitting. During cocaine withdrawal, the former crack user will often experience many uncomfortable symptoms, such as paranoia, depression, fatigue, mood swings, anxiety, restlessness, agitation, or vivid, unpleasant dreams. The psychological and physical symptoms of crack withdrawal will vary depending on many individual factors, such as the user’s tolerance, metabolism, length of addiction, severity of addiction, and the presence of underlying mental health conditions or other addictions.

How Long Does It Take To Detox From Crack? 

Crack cocaine detox can be devided into two stages, the total of which typically lasts more than a week. There are two primary stages of crack detox: acute crack withdrawal and post-acute withdrawal. Acute crack withdrawal is the stage that we typically associate with physical symptoms. Crack withdrawal symptoms often include intense cravings, hunger, irritability, paranoia, and psychosis. For most individuals, acute withdrawal from crack cocaine use lasts seven to ten days, if it takes place in a crack detox center under medical supervision.

Crack cocaine directly affects your brain chemistry, particularly the reward center of your brain and the production of dopamine. It can take many months for the brain to adjust to life without the effects of crack use. This is called post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS). During this time, you may struggle with psychological crack withdrawal symptoms, including depression, mood swings, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

If you receive proper therapy and healthcare, it is possible to limit post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS). However, without help from a qualified crack detox treatment center, it is also possible that your symptoms may take a prolonged time to resolve fully.

Crack Detox Timeline 

Once a person stops using crack there are predictable patterns that characterize the post-cessation period:

0-72 hours

The period between the first hours to three to four days after the last dose is known as the “crash” period and is defined by the presence of symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, sleepiness and intense cravings. The person may also feel depressed and have suicidal thoughts, so being surrounded by medical professionals and or close friends and family is highly advised.

Weeks 1-2

Compulsive behavior persists in the first two weeks after quitting crack cocaine but decreases as days pass by. During this period, the brain struggles to adjust to the absence of cocaine, and severe cravings can be triggered by thoughts, behaviors, or smells. As a result, individuals may manifest hostile and impulsive behavior and feel moody and irritated. They could also have problem concentrating, increased appetite and experience vivid dreams.

Weeks 3-4

This stage is known as the honeymoon phase. Crack cocaine cravings gradually reduce, and mood improves. Individuals feel confident, energetic and full of optimism. They want to go back to everyday life, feeling as if they have kicked the habit. However, it has been estimated that two-thirds of relapse in crack cocaine abuse cases take place within three months post-crack detox treatment. Further, the treatment of protracted withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) should not be disregarded as this is another critical point when relapse is very likely to happen. For these reasons, ongoing psychological treatment is crucial after acute crack detox occurs.

Treatment for Crack Cocaine Addiction

First and foremost, if you think that a loved one is abusing crack, you should first research the drug and addiction associated with it so that you can better understand what your loved one needs. Next, you must plan an intervention to provide your loved ones with options to battle their addiction in a safe and supportive environment. During this intervention, make sure that you offer compassion and support instead of judgment. 

Lastly, offer your support throughout the entire treatment process. In addition, crack overdose can have severe physical and psychological effects, so it is essential to seek treatment as soon as possible. Inpatient drug rehab offers intensive care that can help you get through the early stages of withdrawal promptly. Since crack is usually smoked, you might want to know “what does cocaine smell like? We’ve learned how it can be cut with fentanyl and rat poison which can lead to overdose and death, so it is important not to smell or taste it just to test its purity.

Learning how to leave a crack addict is not an easy decision but you must face it once it’s there. Crack effects are devastating not only to the person but also to the whole family. Addiction is a family disease.

Crack Cocaine Detox Treatment

Medical crack detox is often considered the first stage of treatment. It will help you navigate the complicated process of crack withdrawal, but it doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to crack use. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete crack detox.

Cravings are very common during detox and can be challenging to overcome. This often leads to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment helps prevent relapse. Clinicians can provide necessary medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and the effects of crack withdrawals.

Psychotherapy 

Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of mental health disorders along with addiction, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – is an effective treatment that involves making changes in both the patterns of negative thoughts and the behavioral routines which are affecting the daily life of the depressed person for various forms of depression.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy – is a comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program whose ultimate goal is to aid patients in their efforts to build a life worth living. The main goal of DBT is to help a person develop what is referred to as a “clear mind.” 
• Solution Focused Therapy – is an approach interested in solutions that can be quickly implemented with a simple first step leading to further positive consequences.