Staying Educated for Recovery: The Difference Between Crack and Cocaine

When you are getting into recovery, education can be an integral part of getting clean. Understanding the different effects of substances is important to keep yourself safe. Though some substances may appear similar, they may have different effects.  For example, the drugs crack cocaine and cocaine can be difficult to come off of without getting help in a treatment environment. Crack and cocaine are made of similar chemical makeup, but have different effects on the user. Harm reduction means understanding the ways that drugs affect you and being educated on how to stay clean. West Coast Recovery Centers provides education to our clients to give them the best chances of success in sobriety and recovery.

Crack and cocaine use can both contribute to addiction that can be difficult to break without getting help from a professional. Many times, treatment will start with assistance coming off of the substance. After that, professionals will work to create an effective treatment plan for you. This may include medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Therapeutic work will be done to help you understand the underlying reasons for your addiction. Education is an integral part of recovery as you learn to live a new life. Crack and cocaine addiction can be difficult to manage, but with professional support and education, lasting abstinence and recovery are possible.

The Differences Between Crack and Cocaine

Both crack cocaine and cocaine are different forms of the same drug. The differences between them exist in how the drug is processed and how the user may choose to use it. Oftentimes crack and cocaine may be used differently depending on the person's socioeconomic status as well as where they live. Some people see cocaine as a different completely drug than crack cocaine used solely for partying or club culture. Yet, it is important to note that both of these drugs can be incredibly dangerous, and addiction to either of them can come with great risks. 

Cocaine is derived from coca leaves. It is a white crystalline powder that is snorted or dissolved into water and injected. Cocaine causes an individual to experience restlessness, irregular heartbeat, anxiety, paranoia, and insomnia. Additionally, cocaine is easy to build up a tolerance to, which may leave the individual at risk of overdose. This drug creates short highs followed by large crashes. The crash that comes from cocaine usage can cause depression and physical and mental exhaustion. Following this intense crash, individuals who use cocaine will crave to use it again and again. As tolerance grows, individuals will have to turn to higher and higher doses. This cycle puts their lives at risk. Cocaine is a broken down and processed powder of the hardened base of cocaine, also called a crack rock. 

Meanwhile, crack cocaine is a processed version of powdered cocaine. It consists of dissolved powdered cocaine that is mixed with baking soda and then hardened. This drug is almost always smoked, and the high from it is immediate. Crack cocaine can cause paranoid and aggressive behavior, as well as problems with heart rate and blood pressure. Because smoking this drug gets so much into the lungs at once, this form of cocaine is usually much more addictive and dangerous. Addiction to either crack or cocaine needs to be treated by a professional as soon as possible. 

Treatment for Crack and Cocaine

West Coast Recovery centers offer treatment for crack addiction and cocaine addiction for our clients. When first getting into treatment for addiction to cocaine, it can be overwhelming. Addiction forms fast to these substances, and intervention is integral for long-term well-being. Finding a qualified treatment facility that can help you detox from substances is an important first step in treatment. Once you are safely off of substances, you will begin the work to help you stay sober and healthy.

One way that this can happen is through MAT. There are different medications that you can take under the care of a doctor. These medicines can help to curb the cravings and difficulties after you are not dependent on the substances any longer. Therapeutic intervention is the next step to give you the skills that you need to stay healthy. This work will go into the underlying reasons behind addiction, and teach you how to handle cravings. Teaching you to understand your triggers is another important part of treatment. Understanding and overcoming the root causes of your cocaine or crack cocaine use is important to staying sober. 

Education's Importance in Addiction Recovery

Understanding more about the substance you use gives you the power to take back control of your life. If you are knowledgeable about the risks and understand the way that substances affect your health, you will have a better chance of preventing relapse throughout your long-term recovery. Being educated about your choices will keep you accountable and help you choose the best path for yourself.

Understanding the differences between crack and cocaine will help you stay informed once you get clean from your drug of choice. Going back home, you may find yourself exposed to environments that trigger you or expose you to different substances. Knowing the risks that are posed to you will give you the power to make the choices that are best for you. Treatment for addiction to cocaine and crack is accessible and possible. Harm reduction education will teach you the skills you need to live a healthier life. If you are interested in learning more about treatment for cocaine addiction, we can help. Call West Coast Recovery Centers today at (760) 492-6509.