Conquer crack addiction and embrace a new path. The Canadian Centre for Addictions can be your anchor towards lasting recovery and a healthier lifestyle. Take the leap and let us support you on your healing journey!
Crack is a powerful freebase form of cocaine obtained by processing the standard product into rock form using baking soda. Powdered cocaine is dissolved and boiled with baking soda to separate the solids, cooling the mixture and cutting the solids into rock crystals. Crack derives its name from the distinctive cracking sounds it makes when it boils. It is smoked or snorted and produces a faster, more intense high than the already potent cocaine.
Most crack addicts usually suffer from a cocaine addiction before switching to crack for quicker and more intense highs. As crack is faster-acting, its effects also wear quickly (usually under 10 minutes), causing users to crave the substance more frequently and increasing the risk of addiction. Crack is also often mixed with impurities, making the drug cheaper and increasing overdose death risk.
Cocaine and its derivatives are among the most abused drugs in Canada. About 2% of Canadians use cocaine in some form, accounting for 49% of illegal drug use in the country. Cocaine use is also responsible for the highest costs to the criminal justice system of any substance in Canada after alcohol.
Crack addiction is tough to beat and gets progressively worse without professional intervention. It can be fatal or cause permanent psychological harm if left untreated. However, it’s possible to overcome this addiction if a person receives proper treatment for crack addiction. Learn about crack addiction treatment with Canadian Centre for Addictions and how you or a loved one can recover completely.
Professional drug addiction treatment is the most effective way to handle crack addiction. The Canadian Center for Addiction offers the most sophisticated treatment in an environment that inspires lasting change. At Canadian Centre for Addictions, we help people understand their addictions and the healthier coping strategies available by engaging them in one-on-one counseling with certified counselors, psychiatrists, and mental health professionals. Contact us at 1-855-499-9446 for support and counseling if you or a loved one is dealing with crack addiction.
Effective treatment for drug addiction consists of several strategies designed with the individual in mind. At Canadian Centre for Addictions, we offer multiple crack addiction treatment options tailored to the individual’s needs. Our visitors can expect a full range of services that provide flexible therapy and counseling for crack addicts. Crack addiction negatively impacts every aspect of an addict’s life, so our addiction specialists deliver an individualized, client-centered approach to treatment.
Canadian Centre for Addictions’s crack addiction treatment services include inpatient rehab, outpatient treatment, individual and group counseling, intervention counseling, and lifetime aftercare, all designed to offer you the best possible chance at recovery.
Crack is a potent and extremely dangerous substance which has a high risk of addiction. If you are using crack, the chances are that you’ll need help soon enough. Crack use will inevitably lead to physical, emotional, or mental problems, and it’s necessary to seek help once you notice frequent cravings. A person with a crack habit usually prefers to stay around others who support or do not condemn their addiction and may not see the need for professional help or deny they have a problem.
However, here are some signs you should seek immediate help for your crack habit:
Choosing an appropriate treatment facility is crucial if you or a loved one must overcome crack addiction. The Canadian Center for Addictions treats patients from all walks of life with a patient-centric approach that keeps you connected to your life and responsibilities outside so your transition to regular life is as smooth as possible.
At Canadian Centre for Addictions, we take our work seriously because we understand that our clients are at a vulnerable point in their life. We are open, honest, and communicative about what we deliver and take the first step towards building the trust needed to form strong bonds with those who need our help.
We also understand that addiction affects the individual and others close to them. So, our therapists and staff extend their care to helping families cope with addiction while treating their loved ones. We not only help people overcome their addictions, but we also help them navigate the hurdles that addiction creates for those who care about them.
Treatment at Canadian Centre for Addictions doesn’t end but evolves when you leave. We offer a place where people can return to if things get tough. Our combination of quality inpatient care and the sense of community from our aftercare services provide a balance you can rely on year after year.
At Canadian Centre for Addictions, we have recorded tremendous success with individuals dealing with addictions. Here are some of our inspiring testimonials:
“I came in with a broken soul, full of self-pity, not liking who I was, full of fear and low self-esteem. During my stay, I learned so many valuable lifelong lessons. The counselors challenged me to feel again; to think and understand those feelings, to express my feelings and thoughts. They have taught me the strategies and tools that I must apply to my new life going forward. For the first time in my life, I feel calm, relaxed, strong with the new me, and most importantly, HAPPY. Thank You.”
Edmund Rudd
“My involvement with CCFA has been an absolute lifesaver for me. The entire program and one-on-one sessions have given me the look and strategies to leave with and have a clean and sober life going forward. A very warm, welcoming, home-like environment.”
Martha Esquivel
“The highly competent staff is able to provide emotional and physical support as well as effective addiction therapy. With an open mind, I found I was able to draw healing from each of the well balanced and skillfully presented meetings and activities. During my stay at CCFA, I learned how to regain control of my life. I left with skills I require to keep moving forward in my recovery. The facility is spacious, comfortable and clean, and the community is exceptional. The fitness and activities, as well as the delicious meals, are outstanding. By far, this was the most productive 30 days of my life. A gift from me to me!”
Elliot Hester
“The CCFA has showed me a new way of life. The counselors here are amazing, love working with all of them. I had a great stay and can’t wait to continue my road to recovery with the tools I have learned. Thank you.”
Kiaan Ochoa
Treatment for crack addiction is most effective if tailored to the individual’s specific needs. Most treatment programs for crack addiction involve a combination of several methods, including:
Detox is usually the first stage in the treatment of most addiction cases. It helps to get all traces of the crack out of the individual’s system while managing withdrawal symptoms in a safe environment. Detox may last a few days to weeks, depending on the severity of the individual’s addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Trying to stop crack without medical supervision is impractical and dangerous due to its usually severe withdrawal symptoms.
Inpatient rehab is an intensive treatment for severe cases of drug addiction. If the crack addict cannot function without the drug, they must be admitted to a treatment center while undergoing round-the-clock monitoring. Canadian Centre for Addictions offers personalized inpatient rehab and patient-centric protocols to set you on the path to sobriety and wellness. Our residential treatment program combines medical intervention with other required treatment protocols to give the patient the best chance at recovery.
Crack addicts undergoing outpatient treatment will visit the center for treatment and return to their home or a sober living environment at the end of each day. Outpatient treatment is ideal for people who don’t require round-the-clock monitoring and are highly motivated to break free of their addiction. They may also need a reliable support network of family and friends as they undergo treatment to help them stay focused and sober.
Addiction counseling involves individual or group sessions that help participants identify and change problematic thought patterns and behaviors. Canadian Centre for Addictions’s counseling and intervention programs help recovering addicts develop positive attitudes and skills required to live without crack.
Relapsing after completing a crack addiction treatment program is likely without aftercare and follow-up treatment. Aftercare treatment keeps the individual in touch with their treatment team and helps them stay grounded when they face triggers and other challenges. An aftercare treatment plan depends on an individual’s situation and may include outpatient treatment, counseling, and 12-step programs. Canadian Centre for Addictions offers several supportive aftercare services to help individuals maintain their sobriety after completing their treatment program.
Individuals who come to Canadian Centre for Addictions for crack addiction treatment will be first evaluated to determine the severity of their addiction and specific factors that will influence their treatment approach. The first stage of their treatment will involve supervised detox to get all traces of crack out of their system and help manage their withdrawal symptoms. Patients with intense withdrawal symptoms or co-occurring mental health disorders will receive prescription medication to help manage those symptoms.
If your case is severe, you’ll be admitted into our residential treatment program for round-the-clock monitoring. Individuals who can function without constant supervision can go home and return for scheduled appointments. Our therapy sessions will help you get to the root of your addiction, letting you understand why you are so addicted to crack and how to manage your cravings.
Patients who have completed inpatient or outpatient treatment may benefit from staying in a sober living home, a serene environment that provides medical services and resources to help them prepare to transition back to regular life.
You may also need to join a support group where you meet other people at different levels of their recovery journey. A support group helps you understand that you’re not alone and that many others have passed through and overcome your current situation.
Canadian Centre for Addictions also offers aftercare services to help you maintain your sobriety after you complete your treatment. We offer aftercare in-person visits twice weekly and teleconferencing options to ensure long-term recovery.
The general stages in crack addiction treatment are:
Crack is a similar and faster-acting cocaine derivative. Addiction to crack is a complex process resulting from the powerful stimulant effects of the coca bush. The drug acts on the brain by increasing high quantities of naturally occurring feel-good neurotransmitters – chiefly dopamine and serotonin. Smoking or snorting crack blocks the reuptake of these chemicals, amplifying and prolonging their effects.
Smoking or snorting crack brings intense euphoric sensations followed by an unpleasant comedown after the effects wear off. The effects are so powerful that a person can become addicted after one use. Crack acts and wears off fast, leaving users craving more of the drug. The substance quickly rewires the brain’s reward circuitry for the production and reuptake of pleasure chemicals. Soon enough, the user will start craving more of the drug to get the same effects, a condition known as tolerance.
Prolonged crack use will see tolerance turn to dependence, a state where the substance is needed for normal functioning. Crack also brings on intense withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly and can be dangerous without medical supervision.
Crack withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of cocaine. However, they may be more intense depending on the addiction’s severity, duration of addiction, use of other drugs, and presence of co-occurring health disorders. The symptoms of crack withdrawal are usually psychological or cognitive, and they include:
Crack withdrawal symptoms typically start with a crash a few hours after the last use. The user feels restless and irritable due to being unable to access the drug. Withdrawal symptoms may last for weeks or months, depending on the extent of the addiction. Individuals in the post-withdrawal phase of crack addiction may occasionally experience craving if they encounter previous triggers, such as people, places, or objects once connected to their addiction.
The symptoms of crack addiction may be both physical and behavioral and include:
Like other substances, addiction to crack is the result of several factors. Risk factors for crack addiction include:
Genetics
People with a relative, such as a parent or a sibling with a crack habit, carry a higher risk of crack addiction. Genetics may not be a definitive factor for crack addiction, but research suggests that genes play a significant role in crack use.
Psychological Factors
Crack use and addiction may also result from attempts to self-medicate or manage the symptoms of pre-existing mental health disorders. Cocaine users seeking a stronger or faster high can also turn to crack, putting them at risk of addiction.
Environmental Factors
Young people growing up in areas where drug use is tolerated or prevalent have a higher risk of becoming crack addicts. Seeing drugs as a way to deal with stress or other challenges can cause an increased addiction risk. Peer pressure, lack of parental supervision, and widespread availability of crack also increase a person’s susceptibility to crack addiction.
Long-term addiction to crack can suffer lasting physical and psychological damage, including:
No drugs are currently approved to treat crack addiction. However, drugs like topiramate, bupropion, and disulfiram have shown some promise in dealing with crack addiction. Other drugs may also be administered for symptoms associated with crack withdrawal.
The best treatment model for crack addiction focuses on the individual’s needs. It is usually a combination of therapy, support, and behavioral counseling. Aftercare and follow-up services would also be included to reduce the chances of relapse.
The types of treatments available for crack addiction include detox, therapy (individual or group), counseling, and 12-step programs. A patient’s crack recovery treatment plan may also incorporate holistic programs like meditation, yoga, and mindfulness practices.
Cocaine is a white powder made from the dried leaves of the coca bush, which may be snorted, injected, or swallowed. Crack cocaine is made by cooking cocaine powder and breaking it into rocks or crystals. It is smoked in a pipe and gives a faster, more intense high.
Trying to quit crack addiction without medical help is unfeasible and potentially dangerous. Crack produces severe withdrawal symptoms and can lead to complications, especially if used with other substances. The best way to stop using crack is under the supervision of a professional.
Most people addicted to crack or similar substances tend to deny the situation, so you first want to get them to see the need for help. You should have resources and options for help available if they are willing to get help. If they are uncooperative, you may need to set and enforce strict limits on your dealings with them or get external intervention. You also should not enable them by giving them money or trying to cover for them when they get into trouble.
While regular cocaine may be used as a local anesthetic for specific medical procedures, crack cocaine has no approved medicinal use.
How long it takes to complete crack detox depends on factors like the duration of addiction, amount of crack used, and underlying mental conditions. A crack detox process will usually last a week to 10 days.
Yes, crack is faster-acting and up to 10 times more addictive than standard cocaine. The effects of crack wear off within minutes, increasing the frequency of use and risk of abuse.
Some signs to help you spot crack addiction in an individual include:
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