Cocaine is an illicit substance that is a central nervous system stimulant. “Coke” can either be snorted, dissolved, and injected intravenously or smoked. The smokable form of cocaine is called crack cocaine.
Crack cocaine is cocaine that has had baking soda added to it and has been cooked down to form little rocks that can then be smoked. It is a freebase form of cocaine that produces a very short, intense euphoria to those that smoke it.
The Nation Institutes of Health states that:
Cocaine is one of the most prevalent and potentially dangerous illicit drugs. In 2012, almost 4.7 million individuals (aged 12 and older) in the US reported past-year use. There are notable racial and ethnic disparities in cocaine use with Whites more likely to report lifetime cocaine use (i.e., powder and/or crack cocaine) as compared to Blacks and Hispanics, but smaller differences for past-year use. For crack use specifically, Blacks were more likely to report lifetime use as compared to Whites and Hispanics, as well as past-year use. Possessing cocaine places an individual at risk for arrest and incarceration, which can lead to health consequences and loss of federal rights and benefits. (NIH)
Even though statistics do show that crack cocaine is more prevalent in blacks, this drug no matter what form it’s in, just like any other drug, does not discriminate. Addiction does not discriminate. Many people come from a variety of ethnicities and socioeconomic statuses that have issues with a crack cocaine addiction.
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How Long Do the Effects of Crack Cocaine Last?
The onset and duration of cocaine vary and depend solely on how the drug is ingested. Let’s take a look at the different ways it’s ingested and how long the high lasts.
- Injecting Cocaine – the onset of injecting cocaine is 10 to 15 seconds and the high lasts from 5 to 15 minutes.
- Snorting Cocaine – the onset of snorting cocaine is 1 to 3 minutes and the high lasts from 15 to 30 minutes.
- Gumming Cocaine – gumming cocaine is eating it or rubbing it on your gums. The onset of gumming cocaine is 1 to 3 minutes and the high lasts for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Smoking Crack Cocaine – the onset of smoking crack cocaine is 10 to 15 seconds and the high lasts for 5 to 15 minutes.
The methods that get cocaine into your system or bloodstream faster allow the drug to wear off faster. The high euphoria that one gets from smoking crack cocaine comes on very hard and very fast making it one of the most, psychologically addicting drugs. Once the high wears off, the drug leaves you craving more and more of it. A lot of times you will hear people say that they continue to smoke crack cocaine, trying to achieve that initial high and euphoria that they got when they took that first hit, and they are never able to obtain it.
Is Crack Cocaine Withdrawal Real?
The crash you get when the cocaine wears completely off is often as intense as the high, just in the opposite direction. The major depression that one gets from cocaine withdrawal is at times unbearable. Other side effects of coming down from cocaine can include restlessness, irritability, trouble sleeping despite being tired, and anxiety.
Getting Treatment for Crack Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine and crack cocaine highs are intense, but also short-lived. This illicit stimulant is highly addictive and also very hard to recover from. Although recovery from a crack cocaine addiction is very hard, it is also possible.
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 treatment to get you on the road to recovery. Call us today to get started on a lasting recovery!
FAQ
How Long Does a Crack Cocaine High Last?
Published on: 2020-09-24
Updated on: 2024-04-18
