Crack Detox

Get Help with Effective Crack Cocaine Detox Programs

Crack has destroyed entire neighborhoods and destroyed families for decades. Beginning with the crack epidemic of the 1980s, this drug’s devastating rampage reached nearly every city in America.

Although the levels of intensity of the 1980s and 1990s associated with crack abuse disorder aren’t currently being experienced, this doesn’t make it any less dangerous. Individuals struggling with crack and actively seeking crack cocaine addiction treatment still face an uphill battle with specific challenges involved in recovery.

Crack is still considered one of the most addictive drugs on the market, with many users succumbing to its effects after the first use. After that initial hit, the constant chase to repeat this experience drives users into a whirlwind of substance abuse disorder.

What makes crack cocaine addiction so addictive, and why do users chase this high? The following section contains an overview of crack cocaine and why this addiction should be taken seriously.

If you or a loved one are struggling with crack, keep reading to find out more about the nature of getting help at our crack detox, and the effective programs available at Icarus in New Mexico.

An Overview of Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine rose out of the cocaine craze of the 1970s. The widespread popularity of snorting cocaine eventually led to freebase cocaine, which is a smokable form of this drug. Eventually, dealers would end up creating a recipe that chemically altered the state of the drug, changing it from a powder to a solid.

This recipe would come to be known as crack, the highly addictive, smokable version of cocaine. Crack is made by heating cocaine with water and mixing it with baking soda and other agents. Ammonia is used as an alternative to baking soda, with the end goal of removing hydrochloride. This leads to a hard form of pure cocaine.

Cocaine is typically sold per gram, with a cost of around $80-$120 per gram bag. Because of this, cocaine was often considered a party drug or referred to as a “rich man’s drug.” However, dealers quickly realized they could market crack cocaine in much smaller quantities, often breaking down portions of this drug into $5 and $10 dollar offerings.

This meant even the most impoverished individuals could partake in the high, which quickly led to two results. The constant return to chase the next crack high and incredibly high profits for dealers.

When crack is inhaled, users typically begin to feel the effects within a few seconds. Users experience a sudden rush of intense euphoria. However, these effects are only felt for a few short minutes. Users must proceed with the next hit to continue to maintain the desired level of high.

Crack blocks the transporters for dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. This leads to sharp spikes in these neurotransmitters, leading to the euphoria associated with crack use.

The Recipe for Crack Cocaine Addiction

However, this causes significant challenges for users looking to overcome crack abuse disorder. Eventually, the body’s inability to control the natural flow of these chemicals makes overcoming this disorder mentally taxing and exhausting.

Additionally, crack also causes significant cognitive and neurological challenges and impairments, further complicating the recovery process. All of these elements present the need for medically managed crack detoxification and subsequent treatment.

However, it’s important to note that not all crack addictions will require detox. Less severe cases may be able to navigate rehab without this level of care and go directly to residential or even outpatient care. It’s important to gauge whether or not you need to undergo crack detox before beginning treatment.

A quick and completely confidential call to our staff at Icarus Behavioral Health can help you assess your current levels of usage, and determine the best programs of support.

Do I Need Detox from Crack?

Individuals that have a long history of crack abuse disorder may benefit from participating in crack detox with medical staff present. Additionally, detox may be required whenever users experience intense withdrawal symptoms of crack, regardless of the nature of being physical or mental.

Finally, for users that have attempted to abstain from crack, if physical or mental challenges prevented them from continuing their plan, detox may get them over the hump. Crack detox provides relief from the major side effects and psychological symptoms of withdrawal, allowing a healthy transition into an appropriate treatment program.

What are Common Crack Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms?

Individuals will exhibit certain signs and symptoms when going through crack withdrawal. It’s important to be aware and watch for these indicators. Some of the most significant side effects of crack withdrawal include:

• Irritability
• Depression
• Increased sleeping
• Increases in appetite
• Paranoia
• Anxiety
• Difficulty focusing
• Stomach cramps
• Muscle aches
• Sweating
• Nausea

Although crack withdrawal can be difficult, it doesn’t last forever. A specific timeframe outlines the crack detox process and duration of withdrawal symptoms. The following section contains an example of the crack cocaine withdrawal symptoms timeline.

An Example Crack Withdrawal Timeline

The crack withdrawal timeline is often dictated by the levels of crack present in a user’s system. These concentration levels play a deciding factor in the onset of crack withdrawal, severity, and duration of crack withdrawal symptoms.

Cocaine half-life refers to the length of time it takes for half of the drug and its metabolites to be eliminated from a user’s system. Cocaine has about a six-hour half-life, while its metabolites fall somewhere around the 12-hour mark.

This means that normally, withdrawal symptoms will begin anywhere from six to 12 hours after the last use.

Below is an outline of the typical overall timeline, along with noting when the most protracted withdrawal symptoms occur.

• Stage 1 (Crash): This stage occurs several hours to one day after an individual’s last use. Side effects include increased appetite, exhaustion, irritability, fatigue, and restlessness.
• Stage 2 (Withdrawal): The second phase begins around day two or three and will last until somewhere between days seven and 10. Significant symptoms include sleepiness, irritability, muscle aches, stomach cramps, intense cravings, paranoia, and problems concentrating.
• Stage 3 (Extinction): The extinction phase includes users experiencing cravings in social environments. This period occurs between days 14 and 21 and will continue for up to several months. Post-acute withdrawal will persist during this period, which can increase the risk of relapse in certain situations.

Icarus Behavioral Health is a treatment center located in New Mexico and specializes in treating each stage of the withdrawal timeline following medically assisted detox. Our team specializes in providing effective options for treatment once detox is complete.

Features of Our New Mexico Crack Detox Program

Features of Icarus’ crack detox locations in Mexico include all of the vital elements needed for relief from the most severe symptoms of cocaine withdrawal, crack cocaine withdrawal included. Additionally, our locations in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho have holistic healing approaches during detox, with all-natural courses of action to promote recovery.

Individuals are kept medically stable and provided options for comfort during detox. This includes access to different prescription and over-the-counter medications and access to medical staff and other therapeutic options.

After successfully completing cocaine detox, individuals may segue into the crack addiction treatment process. The following section highlights this process and the different options involved.

Crack Addiction Treatment Process

The crack addiction treatment process includes several options for levels of treatment, depending on the severity of the disorder. The most critical steps involved in the crack addiction treatment process are listed below.

• Mental health-based approaches to recovery highlight the root at the core of crack abuse disorder, helping clients understand the causes of addiction. This includes multiple styles of treatment, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, which teaches individuals certain behaviors and feelings associated with addiction. This helps for more efficient management of recovery after treatment and helps prevent relapse. The matrix model is similar, teaching clients how to deal with certain elements after treatment.
• Group meetings with peers participating in treatment are also an option. This allows clients to engage with other users in recovery, sharing experiences and asking questions regarding substance abuse history. These connections allow clients a feeling of camaraderie, further promoting recovery and providing an incentive to complete treatment. This promotes the overall atmosphere of accountability during recovery.
• Educational activities and exercises are also available to provide further awareness of the elements of crack abuse disorder. These also teach clients how to appropriately deal with emotions and social situations that could otherwise lead to relapse.

Certain risks exist for mental health conditions regarding crack detox and treatment. These risks are outlined below, as well as ways they can be avoided.

Managing the Risks of Crack Detox at Icarus

Risks of crack detox include severe mental health side effects. These effects may include severe depression, paranoia, anxiety, and even cocaine-induced psychosis prior to detox. Additionally, certain physical symptoms that come with mental challenges may pose risks to the body.

Elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, and other symptoms put users at risk for challenges associated with the heart. However, the medications provided in a medically-assisted detox will provide significant relief for these symptoms.

One of the most significant risks during and after treatment is post-acute crack withdrawal dangers.

Post-Acute Crack Withdrawal Dangers

Post-acute withdrawal symptoms for crack cocaine users are the return of certain feelings and cravings associated with a relapse of cocaine addiction and substance abuse disorder in general. These will manifest at random times during and after treatment and may persist for up to six months or longer.

These feelings that return during post-acute withdrawal present a significant chance of relapse because they can even occur randomly. Individuals who experience withdrawal symptoms must remain proactive in all of the crucial elements of recovery.

A proactive approach to relapse prevention at Icarus New Mexico includes participation in aftercare services, engaging with mental health professionals, and finding locations for recovery meetings and other substance abuse resources.

What Comes After Detoxing from Crack?

After detox from crack comes a segue into treatment and eventually transitioning back to the real world and normal home life. This includes returning to work and mending relationships with any friends or family members.

It’s critical that individuals that want to remain successful in recovery take advantage of a strong support system. A strong support system includes elements of encouraging friends and family that hold individuals in recovery accountable for their actions.

This means remaining distanced from individuals that might trigger relapse and abstaining from drug-seeking behaviors. Having appropriate control over emotions and other behaviors is critical during this period as well.

of these elements lead to the possibility of long-term recovery at Icarus, from the first moments of crack cocaine withdrawal all the way through aftercare and joining our Alumni family.

Long-term Recovery from Crack is Possible

Long-term recovery from crack cocaine abuse is possible with the right elements in place after treatment. The following list contains the most important steps regarding long-term recovery from crack abuse disorder.

• Finding the most appropriate course of action for detox. Eliminating the chances of relapse is critical during detox in order to achieve long-term recovery. This portion of recovery is the first and often most critical step toward sobriety.
• Appropriate treatment after detox is the next stage in recovering from substance abuse disorder. Depending on the severity of the situation, participating in the right level of treatment leads to the most favorable outcome for individuals seeking recovery. One of several forms of inpatient or outpatient treatment will lead to proper education regarding substance abuse disorder.
• Finally, the best aftercare options are continued attention toward recovery, including being proactive regarding and attending counseling sessions.

Reach Out and Overcome Crack at Icarus in New Mexico

At Icarus, we specialize in the elements of effective, evidence-based treatment for crack cocaine. Our holistic approach to treatment and our staff’s vast knowledge and compassionate disposition promote an atmosphere that’s conducive to recovery.

We encourage you to direct any questions or concerns to one of our admissions specialists, who are waiting to provide you with more information regarding our intake process. With help from the right individuals and a proactive approach, Icarus New Mexico provides a solid foundation for long-term recovery.

Reach out now for a confidential consultation, and get options for yourself or a loved one today!