Crack Vs. Cocaine: What are the Differences?
By: Lakeview Health
Published: October 7, 2019

Cocaine is a white powder. Crack comes in the form of a small rock. Both are derivatives of the coca plant. Here’s what you need to know about crack vs cocaine.

Users Inject or Snort Cocaine; They Smoke Crack

The primary difference between crack and cocaine is the way people use it. Everyone has seen the movie scenes where people roll up twenty-dollar-bills and snort the powder off of a mirror. The high starts after about five minutes. It might last about 20 minutes.

In the crack vs cocaine use debate, some inject the drug. It takes longer for the high to occur; however, it lasts longer when it does. Therefore, people believe they get more bang for their bucks this way.

Crack is a drug that people smoke with a pipe. Of course, the main difference between crack and cocaine is the high it offers. Smoking crack leads to an almost instantaneous high. That said, it only lasts for about eight minutes.

Similarities of the Drugs in the Crack vs Cocaine Debate

Both substances vary in purity. It depends on what the pushers used to cut the drugs with. Examples might include lactose, strychnine, or ephedrine. Therefore, there’s a risk of ingesting poisons along with the drug.

Next, there’s the resulting high. It begins by creating a lasting dopamine glut. Not surprisingly, people want to experience it over and over again. That’s why users binge on cocaine as well as crack. Eventually, these behaviors create addiction.

Why You Need Assistance When You Want to Quit Using

At the crack cocaine detox center Jacksonville, FL trusts, therapists frequently talk to people who try ending dependency. They have a difficult time doing so. That’s because the drug affected the way the brain now releases dopamine. Until it reaches equilibrium, it won’t do so.

This results in the potential for suicidal thoughts. You also experience anxiety and depression. The cravings for the drugs drive you crazy. In the crack vs cocaine debate, there really isn’t one type that’s better than the other.

Undergoing Treatment

Rehab offers the hope you need to overcome the drug. Crack vs cocaine, both drug addictions respond well to the therapeutic interventions. Examples include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy for the development of coping skills you can begin using right away
  • Dual diagnosis treatment as a tool for managing depression and anxiety
  • Medication-assisted treatment that curbs cravings
  • Talk therapy, which helps you chart a course for long-term recovery
  • Group therapy that focuses on processes and how to deal with specific situations the drugs bring on

Get Help Today!

It’s time to overcome the drug that’s holding you hostage. Don’t let the discussion of crack vs cocaine lull you in a false sense of security. You need help dealing with the substance abuse no matter which drug you use. Contact Lakeview Health today to make an appointment.