Things to know about crack

Dose

Large doses can cause death through heart failure or breathing problems.

The down side

Smoking crack can cause chest pain, breathing problems and lung damage. Hallucinations can occur, with users scratching at their skin believing insects are underneath it.

The post-high crash involves fatigue, anxiety, depression and paranoia. This, and the intense craving for another high, trigger the urge to take more.

To avoid the crash, users often keep taking crack until there's no money left or take other drugs like heroin, alcohol or sedatives to make the come down less bad, risking further damage to health or death.

Problem use

Crack is seen as the most destructive and dangerous of all drugs, for individuals, families and communities. It is the drug most linked to crime as users often become consumed by their addiction, get through thousands of pounds and resort to violent crime.

Unlike snorting cocaine, smoking crack seems to increase its addictive quality. Users who can control their use of other drugs often can't control their crack use.

Use can permanently damage the brain's pleasure receptors, reducing users' long-term ability to feel truly happy.

At risk

Crack causes raised blood pressure and an increased heart rate that can kill healthy individuals, so it should never be used by anyone with high blood pressure or a heart condition.

Mental health problems, including psychosis, can be triggered by crack, especially in those with family members with mental health problems.

Sharing crack pipes might carry the risk of HIV and hepatitis C as crack users' mouths and lips can get sore and bleed.

Injecting crack is more dangerous than smoking it. Overdose is more likely and injecting can cause skin abscesses, blood poisoning and gangrene. Sharing injecting equipment can spread HIV, hepatitis C and other infections.

Mixing

With alcohol

As with cocaine, mixing crack with alcohol is a combination to avoid. It increases the bad effects of both and the risk of sudden death. It gives the illusion of feeling sober when over the limit.

Crack and alcohol together combine in the liver to make cocaethylene, a toxin that damages the brain, liver and heart. Cocaethylene is the reason for an increased risk of death among those taking crack with alcohol.

With other drugs

For the effects of mixing crack with other drugs see the information on mixing cocaine with other drugs in the Cocaine section.

The law

Crack is a Class A drug.

Penalties

The penalty for possession of crack is up to seven years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

The penalty for intending to supply crack is up to life in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

More information and support

For help and advice concerning drugs see the page of Useful info and support in the Power room on this website.

Cocaine Anonymous,
For users of cocaine or crack
Telephone: 0800 612 0225 (10am to 10pm seven days a week) www.cauk.org.uk