Yes, smoking crack cocaine can definitely make you paranoid. Crack cocaine is a stimulant that is made from regular powdered cocaine and is even more powerful. Cocaine is mixed with baking soda or ammonia and cooked down to form a solid substance that is smokable once it has dried. It is a very addictive form of the drug and users will report being addicted after just one use.
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Short-Term Effects of Crack Cocaine
Smoking crack gives the user an immediate high because the drug is delivered straight to the lungs and brain once it is inhaled. When crack cocaine reaches the brain excess amounts of dopamine are produced causing intense pleasure. The high only lasts between 5 and 15 minutes leaving users to desire more and more of the drug. This is what leads to a crack addiction. Some of the other short-term effects of the drug include:
- Hyper-stimulation
- Dilated pupils
- Constricted blood vessels
- Paranoia
- Intense euphoria
- Intense cravings
- Increased breathing rate
- Aggression
Smoking crack cocaine is a fast way to become easily and seriously addicted to the drug. The NIH produced an article with some statistics on the short-term effects of smoking crack cocaine.
The use of cocaine in the “crack” form is often associated with more frequent and intense symptoms. Paranoia occurs in 68% to 84% of patients using cocaine. Cocaine-related violent behaviors occur in as many as 55% of patients with cocaine-induced psychiatric symptoms. Homicide has also been associated with cocaine use in as many as 31% of homicide victims. In suicide, cocaine is present in as high as 18% to 22% of cases. Many patients with cocaine dependence have also been found to have a comorbid psychiatric disorder. (NIH)
Crack cocaine affects the reward centers in the brain, so as stated above, one can very easily become addicted to the drug after just one use. It’s highly addictive and a crack cocaine rehab is needed to overcome this dependency.
Cocaine Paranoia is a Real Problem
One of the effects of smoking crack or crack cocaine use is paranoia. Paranoia is a feeling of suspiciousness towards other people. Usually, the paranoia comes from hallucinations or a feeling that someone is watching or following them that isn’t there. Paranoia is one of the most common side effects of cocaine use. Some of the signs and symptoms of cocaine paranoia include distrusting strangers, fear of close friends or family for no reason, suspicion of other people’s actions, thinking others are looking at you when they aren’t, feeling everyone is out to get you, and seeing or hearing things that aren’t there.
Drug-induced paranoia can last anywhere from a few hours to weeks, months, and in severe cases even years if the drug is continued. Even after your body detoxes from the drug, paranoia may still show itself as the brain starts learning to function without substances. The duration depends on the length of time the drug was used and whether it was mixed with any other substances.
Drug-Induced Psychosis
One of the long-term effects of abusing cocaine and chronically smoking crack is drug-induced psychosis. Psychosis is a combination of hallucinations and paranoia and is common in crack cocaine and heavy methamphetamine users. Drug-induced psychosis can occur when using any high dose of mind-altering drugs since everyone reacts differently to each drug.
Treatment for Crack Cocaine Addiction
Crack cocaine addiction and smoking crack will destroy your life and those that love you most. It is one of the most addictive substances and the hardest to recover from. The intense cravings that the drug produces after only one use make it very difficult to stay off of, but it can be done.
Many people think that snorting cocaine is better than smoking crack even though the drugs are chemically identical. Studies do show that smoking crack leads to a greater risk of dependence and more severe consequences, and after entering treatment those that had snorted cocaine had better outcomes than smokers. However, the negative impact the drug has on someone’s life is the same no matter which way it is ingested.
If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction, our addiction specialists are available around the clock to assist you. Recreate Life Counseling offers evidence-based addiction treatment to help you with a lasting recovery. Call us today!
Published on: 2020-09-13
Updated on: 2024-09-13
