Differences Between Crack and Cocaine

As early as the late 1800’s, cocaine has been causing destruction. It’s been used medically and in food. However, use began to spread quickly and the abuse of the substance ran rampant, especially in the 1970s.

‍

Crack, on the other hand, has been around for a shorter time, but has caused similar levels of destruction. Abuse of crack spread quickly through the United States in the 1980s and the 1990s.

‍

What makes both of these drugs so dangerous? How are they different, and how are they similar? In order to understand both of these substances you need to look at the history of the natural ingredient used in both of them - coca.

The History of Cocaine

Cocaine is derived from the coca plant that is naturally found in South America. For thousands of years, South Americans have chewed coca leaves as a way to increase mood, help digestion, and decrease apatites. Ingesting coca this way isn’t known to cause any medical issues, and it has cultural significance in several countries. 

‍

Coca leaves only become dangerous after being pressed and processed into cocaine, a substance that was once used in medical applications and famously as the main ingredient in Coca-Cola.

‍

Cocaine rose to prominence between the 1970s and the 1980s after gaining the reputation of a high-end party drug with little to no drawbacks. It wasn’t until the 1980s that people began to understand that cocaine was extremely dangerous.

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug. It’s a Schedule II drug according to the DEA and is typically used by the “elite”. It was considered the “champagne of drugs” in the 1980’s. Now, to save money, cocaine is often mixed with other substances like fentanyl in a practice called cutting. It creates dangerous, often deadly concoctions.

‍

There are two ways cocaine can be used:

‍

  • Snorted
  • Injected

‍

Snorting cocaine is the most common form of misuse because it’s much less intrusive and doesn’t require much preparation. 

‍

Cocaine can be smoked, but it requires changing the chemical makeup through a lengthy, often dangerous process. The solid form of cocaine is called crack or crack cocaine.

What is Crack?

Crack is a solid form of cocaine that can be smoked or injected. It’s created by mixing cocaine with water, ammonia, or sodium bicarbonate, and boiling the mixture until it becomes a solid substance. This is called free-basing.

‍

Smoking crack cocaine creates an incredibly intense sense of euphoria very fast, but the high fades just as quickly.

Similarity of Crack and Cocaine

Because crack is a form of cocaine, the two share a lot of similarities. However, one of them has more dangers associated with it.

Legal Status

Cocaine and crack cocaine are both illegal substances for personal use in the United States. It’s also illegal to grow coca plants here. However, it is permitted for countries with naturally occurring coca plants to keep the plant.

‍

In the few countries where coca plants are native, the laws regarding the use of the coca plant vary. For example, Bolivia allows the cultivation of coca leaves for personal use in chewing or coca tea, but it does not allow possession of cocaine.

‍

Across the US, cocaine is technically legal for medical purposes, but not the same way marijuana is. Instead, it’s used as a topical anesthetic during surgery in extremely rare cases. Crack has no legal applications.

Chemical Composition

Crack and cocaine are the same substance, but crack is a purer form of cocaine. Freebasing removes superfluous components that don’t contribute to the effects. It’s boiled down to its simplest and most potent form.

Difference Between Crack and Cocaine

Crack is to ice as cocaine is to water. Both are made of the same substance, but they do different things.

How They’re Taken

The obvious difference between these two substances is how they are taken.

‍

  • Cocaine is mostly snorted but can be injected.
  • Crack is mostly smoked, but can also be injected.

‍

The different ways these substances are used changes the intensity of the effects, how fast they occur, and how long they last.

Level of Potency

The high produced by crack happens almost immediately. It’s a visceral high that only lasts a couple of minutes. This makes it easier to overdose on crack and often leads to erratic behaviors. Crack gives an intense euphoria that quickly fades and leaves people feeling depressed, emotionally numb, and often craving more.

‍

Cocaine on the other hand has a gradual build-up to a high that lasts from 30 minutes to one hour. It is less likely for people to experience immediate intense cravings for this drug, but it’s just as dangerous.

Risk of Addiction and Dependency

When a substance produces an intense but short high, it’s more likely to push people down the cycle of addiction quickly. This is true for crack. Because its effects fade so quickly, it’s common for someone to want more just minutes after using it. This is why crack is considered more addictive than cocaine.

‍

To be clear, cocaine is a very addictive drug, but because the high lasts longer it’s less likely for someone to crave it so quickly after use.

‍

Both of these substances make developing substance use disorder easy. Addiction is a disease. As the brain adapts to frequent use, the choice to use becomes impaired and it becomes increasingly hard to deny the brain what it thinks it needs.

‍

Treatment for cocaine or crack addiction often requires a medical detox. Withdrawal symptoms are intense, but the alternative is much worse. Check out our inpatient facility and learn how we can guide you toward a life of sobriety.

Adverse Health Effects

The long-term and short-term adverse health effects of crack and cocaine are extreme.

‍

The adverse health effects of crack include:

‍

‍

Smoking crack cocaine is harsh on your lungs. In some cases it can cause “crack lung” which makes it difficult to breathe and causes chronic chest pain.

‍

The adverse health effects of cocaine include:

‍

  • Extreme sensitivity to stimulation
  • Reduces blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract
  • Significant weight loss
  • Intense chest pain
  • Aortic ruptures
  • Paranoia or psychosis

‍

Depending on the person, adverse health effects could differ. Permanent neurological damage is often reported in people who use either of these drugs. Long-term use of either of these substances can lead to the development of other health disorders like Parkinson's disease. 

Seeking Treatment for Crack or Cocaine Addiction

Substance use disorder is a hard thing to watch a loved one go through, and it’s a hard thing to personally go through. Crack and cocaine addiction is a serious mental disease that requires professional medical help.  

‍

If you or a loved one requires immediate medical help call 1-800-662-435 to reach the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline. It’s a free and confidential treatment referral and information service for anyone in need.

Sequoia Can Help

Sequoia Behavioral Health offers services for people who are addicted to cocaine and crack. Schedule a phone call to begin your journey toward recovery. Once you arrive you’ll begin your full 30-day residential treatment program that will include a personalized plan built for you.