People with Crack addiction often feel powerless to overcome it. Some want more and more of it each day and can’t seem to function without it. If you or your loved one has crack cocaine addiction and feel powerless to control it, there is hope.
Crack detox treatment is an effective way of treating crack dependency and can help you or your loved one get his/her life back. However, it’s not a magic bullet and requires patience and determination.
The first step in this process is knowing that there is a problem. Many people do not know that their crack habit has become a problem until it’s very late. Even an occasional user may require help to withdraw safely.
A thorough detoxification is important to flush your system of the toxins and free yourself of the addiction.
This piece will take you through the process and let you know what to expect.
What to Expect:
Crack stays for only a short time in your body. After cessation of use, the following withdrawal symptoms will occur:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Intense craving for Crack
- Sleep deprivation
- Aggression
- Lack of motivation
- Inability to feel pressure
Crack cocaine is the concentrated form of powder cocaine and these symptoms are usually more intense. The severity of the symptoms varies from individual to individual and depends on factors such as how long the individual has been addicted, the metabolism of the individual and the severity of dependence. The period immediately after withdrawal is called crash period and can last for 9 hrs to 4 days.
The severity of the physical and psychological symptoms is monitored and drugs may be used to manage more severe withdrawal symptoms like hallucinations if the person is in a clinic.
While there is no drug specifically designed to treat crack dependency, drugs like carbamazepine, decanoate, flupenthixol, dopamine agonists, and antidepressants are sometimes used during detoxification. However, most people go through detoxification without any medication.
Body Undergoes Changes During Detox
It’s a challenging period for the user. The body relearns how to function without crack cocaine in the system because during dependency the brain and body’s nervous system is altered. Because of the severity of the symptoms as the body readapts, it’s advised that detoxification is carried out in a detox clinic.
There are two stages of withdrawal. The first is the acute or immediate withdrawal symptoms and the protracted withdrawal symptoms, also called post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS). The first stage may last from one to 3 three weeks and is characterized by symptoms such as:
- Anxiety
- Unpleasant dreams
- Exhaustion
- Mood changes
- Irritability
- Increased appetite
- Slower heart
- Energy loss
- Paranoiac behaviour
The post-acute withdrawal symptoms can last for months after the user is clean and its symptoms include:
- Depression
- Anger and emotional outburst
- Cravings
- Agitation or shaking
- Inability to feel pressure
- Sleep difficulty
Rapid Crack Detox Treatment
Medical practitioners do not recommend rapid crack detox and it’s not practiced to date. Avoid such claims of rapid crack treatment because it can worsen the situation.
The traditional treatment method is more effective and will achieve the desired result.
Withdrawing From Crack Safely
Detoxification in an in-patient clinic under qualified medical supervision is the best way to withdraw from crack cocaine. Cravings during detoxification can be very intense hence cold turkey detox often fails. Individuals that are highly determined to stop abusing crack on their own without supervision often fail because of the potency of crack cocaine. They often underestimate the intense Cravings that follow and there may be other underlying medical condition that needs treatment.
If you are determined on doing it on your own, however, consult a medical professional. Medical professionals will monitor you for severe symptoms and treat any complication that may arise, as well as offer psychological support.
If you decide to do it at home, make sure you clean your environment of all kinds of stimulant and alcohol, not just crack cocaine. If possible travel to a different neighbourhood, far from your source of the crack cocaine. It’s also preferable to have loved ones around or people who will support you during this time.
Crack detoxification won’t be easy, but with determination and courage, you can join the thousands of people that have successfully completed the process and now have their life under control.
Crack Detox Treatment Question
If you have any question about the detoxification process, do not hesitate to contact us.
If you’ve successfully undergone crack detoxification and want to share your experience or ask any questions, you can either leave a comment below or get in touch with us.
Article Submitted on behalf of drugrehab-wakefield.uk and alcoholrehab-wakefield.uk
