Why People Need Crack Rehab
Highly addictive and considerably less expensive than cocaine, crack cocaine continues to play a part in the destruction of people’s lives every year. While different people respond to crack in different ways, the likelihood of becoming addicted is high. A 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows out of 1.9 million cocaine users, 359,000 used crack on a regular basis. Its little wonder crack rehab programs are in such high demand.
People who try to stop using crack typically have a difficult time fighting the urge to use again. Changes in the body’s chemistry no doubt work against any strength of will a person may have. Crack rehab programs provide the type of treatment and support needed to overcome a crack addiction.
Crack’s Effects on the Brain
Most of the problems caused by a crack addiction stem from the drug’s effects on a person’s brain chemistry. Crack directly alters the amount of dopamine secreted in the brain. Dopamine chemicals are central to the brain’s reward system, which regulates feelings of happiness and well-being. When exposed to crack, excess amounts of dopamine saturate the brain cells. Over time, the brain responds to this excess in one or all of three ways:
- Producing less dopamine on its own
- Shutting down dopamine production altogether
- Destroying excess dopamine amounts
Crack rehab can help you overcome your addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
These responses account for why it takes more and more crack cocaine to get “high” the longer a person uses. Part of the crack rehab process entails helping a person restore normal brain function by eliminating all traces of the drug from the body.
Withdrawal Effects
Someone who’s used crack for a long period of time will experience severe withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit. In effect, the body goes through a system “crash” as dopamine chemicals plummet to below normal levels. Symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Exhaustion
- Rage
- Depression
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Non-stop cravings for the drug
Even days after a person stops using, crack cocaine is still stored up in the body’s fat cells and can gradually leak into the bloodstream. When this happens, drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms return.
A crack rehab program can help ease withdrawal symptoms through medication treatment until the drug is completely out of a person’s system. Crack rehab programs also have a 24-hour support staff of doctors and nurses to ensure a person receives proper medical care.
Why Try Crack Rehab?
Crack rehab programs not only treat the physical aspects of the addiction, but the mental and emotional aspects as well. Participants may receive anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications to help relieve the mood swings that accompany withdrawal. Crack rehab programs also engage participants in ongoing therapy sessions to address the problems that drove a person to use crack as an escape. Group therapy sessions are also a big part of the rehab process as members help each other through the recovery process.
Crack rehab programs offer services on an inpatient and/or outpatient basis depending on how severe a person’s addiction has become. In effect, these programs can benefit anyone struggling with a crack addiction regardless of however mild or severe the addiction.
Resources:
National Institute on Drug Abuse – Crack Abuse Rates
