Crack Cocaine Addiction is an addiction that causes irrational and erratic behavior in the user that is very hard to understand. Crack is a world-wide problem and has reached epidemic proportions after a decline in use for a few years with over 32 million users in the US alone.

Crack cocaine is widely available in most world inner cities neighborhoods. This is perceived to be because of the value of crack cocaine as opposed to the powdery cocaine which is most commonly associated with middle class users. Crack cocaine is also the number one export of Colombia.

What is Crack Cocaine?

Crack is the slang term for the chemicals cocaine hydrochloride. It gets the name "crack" because of the way it snaps while it is being cooked - heated and then smoked. It is easy to distribute as it is sold in small quantities in small vials. Because of this the policing of crack cocaine has had its ups and downs millions of tons of the drug are smuggled into the US by way of Mexico and South America.

Crack cocaine has become the drug of choice among users in the poverty stricken inner cities with the majority of users being young adults to mid thirties. Crack is the only drug for which the first time possession charge can be a mandatory five year federal sentence.

Crack Cocaine Addictions Hurt More Than Just The User

Unfortunately, unlike some drug addictions, the crack cocaine user is not just hurting themselves with their addiction. The families of the crack cocaine addict is often directly involved in the actions of the addict. The user will begin stealing money from family members to help pay for their drugs, will be gone for days without contacting anyone, and can even fly into rages. However, that's not the only price families pay.

It is estimated that around 200,000 infants are born every year already addicted to crack cocaine. This addiction comes straight from the mother and often leads to high infant death in the cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Families are also effected when one of the parents, or both in a lot of cases, are arrested for possession of the drug. An average of 24,000 convictions are year are related to crack cocaine addiction.

Crack Cocaine Addiction Symptoms

Unlike straight cocaine, you don't snort crack. It is to be smoked. Because of this the user can feel the effects within 10 seconds of inhaling the smoke. This is incredibly dangerous in that it is very easy to overdose on crack cocaine. The high that comes with crack cocaine is not only quick to start but it also subsides just as quickly leaving the user in a state of severe depression.

Crack cocaine symptoms to look for when wondering if someone you know, or in you family, is using the drug would be;

Decreased concentration
Increased irritability
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Violent Outbursts

Crack cocaine addiction is a severe addiction that can lead to severe health problems and death because of the toxicity of the drugs and the way it is easily absorbed into the body.