Crack cocaine is the crystallized form of regular, powdered cocaine and is the strongest form of cocaine. As per the Controlled Substances Act, cocaine is a Schedule II controlled substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse and is likely to cause significant physical and psychological damage. Sale or possession of crack cocaine can result in serious legal consequences, including hefty fines and imprisonment. It is a hazardous drug, and its effects are so intense and immediate that a user can potentially become addicted after just one use.
Crack cocaine use is prevalent and poses a severe health risk to those who use it. Statista reports that in 2018 alone, there were 15,000 reported cocaine-related deaths in the U.S. According to SAMHSA, during the same year, crack cocaine was reportedly used by around 750,000 people aged 12 and over.
As with many forms of substance use disorder (SUD), crack cocaine addiction often co-occurs with other types of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, according to the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. It is often the case that these disorders pre-existed or were underlying before the commencement of crack cocaine misuse. Even in cases where there was no apparent previous disorder, the abuse of crack itself can lead to the onset of a mental health condition, according to the Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
Depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and other mood disorders can be challenging and can cause a person to seek even temporary relief from their symptoms. Crack cocaine, like other mood-altering substances, may be used by some to escape from the reality of their condition. However, the use of substances, particularly crack cocaine, to alleviate the symptoms of a mental health condition creates an extremely vicious cycle.
Because crack addiction can happen so quickly, a user might find that not only has their existing condition worsened, but they also now need to use crack to alleviate the associated withdrawal symptoms.
