Cocaine addiction is extremely dangerous when mixed with other drugs, especially alcohol. As if cocaine was not powerful and destructive enough; a derivative of it “crack” (crystalized rock form of cocaine which is made by boiling cocaine with water and other ingredients like baking soda or ammonia) is cheaper, easier to obtain, and produces higher amounts of dopamine. Crack is primarily smoked to allow for quicker metabolizing at higher doses in the body.
Cocaine is derived from the coca plant and further produced synthetically. It can be smoked, snorted, or injected intravenously. Cocaine addiction is currently the most powerful stimulant or pain blocker of natural origin. This is why the cocaine user will go to all lengths to sustain their high which is relatively short lasting. Due to high amounts of dopamine being depleted, the brain’s natural glands that usually produce the dopamine shuts down and the addicted user resorts to consuming more of the drug; thus creating a vicious never ending cycle of cocaine addiction. Another side-effect from dopamine depletion (brain disease) is severe depression.
Dopamine helps regulate the brain and provides pleasure; with no pleasure, you would naturally be sad and depressed. After being depressed long enough, suicidal ideations will start to kick in and the user will do anything to avoid any further thoughts or depression. This is why cocaine/crack addicts are extremely afraid to quit altogether and will avoid withdrawal symptoms at all costs. In 2008, The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) estimates there were 1.9 million current cocaine addiction users, of which approximately 359,000 were current crack users.
