Crack and Alcohol Substance Abuse
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Mixing Alcohol With Crack: What Are the Dangers?
Many people struggling with substance abuse often mix different substances to get higher or achieve a particular effect. However, this could be extremely dangerous and lead to long-term adverse effects. This blog post will explore the dangers of mixing alcohol with crack.
People who abuse alcohol or crack often seek to escape problems or negative emotions. They may also be trying to self-medicate underlying mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. Whatever the reason for the alcohol or drug use, continued substance use can lead to addiction.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or drug abuse, Zinnia Healing can help. We offer evidence-based inpatient and outpatient treatment for addiction and mental health disorders. Call Zinnia Healing at (855) 430-9439.
Crack: What Is It?
Crack is a street name given to cocaine that has been processed with baking soda or ammonia, producing a “rock” form of the drug to make it more potent. It is normally smoked through a pipe or bong and sold in small plastic bags. Like other stimulants, crack is highly addictive and can cause serious health problems, including respiratory and heart failure.
What Is the Difference Between Crack and Cocaine?
The difference between crack and cocaine is that cocaine is a powder that can be snorted or dissolved in water and injected, while crack is processed to form a rock crystal that users can smoke. Crack is more potent than cocaine, leading to a more intense high. Crack also has a shorter duration of action than cocaine, which means that the high from crack doesn’t last as long.
Alcohol and Crack: The Consequences of Using Them Together
Mixing alcohol with crack magnifies the potential for adverse reactions. Because alcohol and crack are central nervous system depressants, mixing the two substances can lead to suicidal thoughts or gestures, coma, and sudden death from overdose.
Mixing alcohol and crack can also lead to impaired judgment and decision-making, leading to risky behaviors like unprotected sex or driving while under the influence.
What Is the Difference Between Crack Addiction and Alcohol Addiction?
The difference between a crack addiction and an alcohol addiction is that a crack addiction is characterized by compulsively seeking out and using crack cocaine despite adverse consequences. In contrast, alcohol addiction is characterized by compulsively drinking alcoholic beverages despite negative consequences.
However, it’s possible to be addicted to both substances at the same time. This is known as co-addiction or polysubstance abuse.
What Are the Effects of Crack Use?
Short-term effects of crack cocaine use include dilated pupils, elevated body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, hallucinations, extreme euphoria, hypervigilance, increased alertness, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and dizziness.
Long-term effects of crack and cocaine abuse can lead to drastic changes in behavior and mood swings, paranoia, psychosis, delusions, and hallucinations. Heavy users may also experience restlessness, muscle twitches, and uncontrolled movements.
The chronic use of alcohol or crack changes the brain in ways that make quitting difficult. These changes can include intolerance for the substance, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal from alcohol or crack can be uncomfortable and even dangerous, which contributes to the difficulty of quitting.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or alcohol abuse, help is available. Addiction treatment options include detoxification, therapy, and medication. Recovery is possible with the proper support.
Call Zinnia Healing at (855) 430-9439. We work with many healthcare providers so that you’re able to get the care you need.
Long-Term Effects of Mixing Crack and Alcohol
Some long-term side effects of mixing crack cocaine and alcohol include liver damage from the combined toxic effects of the two substances, lung damage from smoking crack cocaine, brain damage from chronic use, and death from overdose. Mixing these two substances also increases the risk of developing cancer.
How Does Crack and Alcohol Substance Abuse Affect the Brain?
Crack and alcohol substance abuse affects the brain in many ways. Chronic abuse of both substances can lead to brain structure and function changes.
First, both addictions alter the brain’s chemistry by increasing levels of dopamine, which causes feelings of pleasure. Then, it changes how nerve cells communicate with each other, which can lead to problems with learning, memory, and decision-making skills. Finally, it increases the risk of developing mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.
Alcohol and crack cocaine users are also at an increased risk for developing psychotic symptoms such as paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations.
Why Do People Mix Alcohol and Crack?
There are many reasons why people mix alcohol and crack. Some people do it because they think it will make them feel better or help them stay up and party for longer periods of time. Others do it because they’re trying to self-medicate for underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. Whatever the reason, it’s important to remember that mixing these two substances is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious health problems or even death.
Zinnia Healing Can Help
Mixing alcohol with crack is a dangerous proposition. Not only is there the danger of overdosing on either substance, but the combination can also lead to death.
Many people struggling with substance abuse often mix different substances to get higher or achieve a particular effect. However, this could be extremely dangerous and lead to long-term adverse effects.
Substance abuse is a serious problem that affects millions of people worldwide. If you or someone you know is struggling with compulsive use of crack cocaine or alcohol, please seek professional help from a qualified treatment center. Zinnia Healing offers various programs to help people struggling with substance abuse recover and live healthy lives. Our knowledgeable staff is here to answer any questions you may have about our programs or substance abuse in general.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you or your loved one start on the road toward recovery.