The risks of drug use are known to everyone – the mental, physical, and social challenges you will face if you cannot control this harmful habit and do not care about your health in other ways are often very severe. But not every person knows the difference between the various illicit substances such as crack cocaine and methamphetamine and what exactly will happen to your body and mind if you continue using these drugs for a long time.
In this article we will make a crack vs meth comparison, learn more about the short-term and long-term health impacts of these stimulant drugs on a person’s health, and take a look at the most severe consequences of drug use such as withdrawal and addiction.
Overview of Crack and Meth
On the surface, crack and meth are very similar – both of them belong to the category of stimulant drugs whose purpose is to eliminate fatigue, enhance performance, improve attention and concentration, and elevate the mood of the individual. Unfortunately, all these benefits come at a steep price – it is very easy to get addicted to them, and prolonged use and abuse cause irreversible damage to your health.
When you are using drugs you illegally obtained, you can never be sure what they are made of – many illicit drug manufacturers use additional chemicals that are sometimes harmless but in other cases, can be poisonous and fatal.
Chemical Composition and Production Methods
Unlike powdered cocaine, crack cocaine is usually manufactured as a mixture of cocaine, baking soda or ammonia, and water. All the substances are boiled to create solid small rocks that can be smoked. The manufacturing process may also involve other stimulant drugs – methamphetamine and opioids are added to the mix which makes crack even more dangerous.
Meth, on the other hand, is mostly manufactured with the help of medications that are supposed to relieve common cold symptoms and drugs designed for weight loss. Usually, a chemical like ephedrine is the main ingredient – it is put in a solvent and boiled until it is crystallized to create rock-like chunks that turn into glass. Methamphetamine can be smoked, injected, snorted, or taken orally.
Effects on the Brain and Body
The psychological and physiological challenges a person will need to cope with if they keep using drugs for recreational purposes without thinking about their long-term health can be very severe. Here is a brief overview of the adverse effects methamphetamine and crack cocaine can lead to:
| Crack | Meth |
| You will feel restless and agitated – you will be angry and irritated for no apparent reason and will not be able to stay still due to the urge to move | You will have hallucinations and delusions – seeing things that are not real and believing things that are completely false are quite common among meth users |
| Your speech patterns will be affected almost immediately – it will be hard to discern what you are trying to convey | You will struggle to learn new information and recall the details you are supposed to remember – cognitive decline is swift |
| You will feel nauseous and on the verge of vomiting – this is quite common even if you have not used crack for a few days which means you are craving it again | You will itch and feel as if there are insects like small bugs crawling under your skin – you will feel compelled to get rid of them by any means |
| You will deal with significant cognitive decline – a person who is using crack can no longer make decisions quickly, and their judgment is overall impaired which results in self-destructive behaviors | Your reaction times will be slower – your cognition suffers when your body and mind depend on methamphetamine |
| You will not manage your mood – mood fluctuations will be a major obstacle in your daily activities since you might feel euphoria one minute and go through a depressive episode a while later | You will be forced to cope with mood swings as well – going from hyperactivity and euphoria to depression is a similarity between meth and crack |
| You will have intrusive thoughts combined with anxiety and paranoia – there will be a feeling of dread and suspicions that other people are plotting against you | You will be more aggressive and violent especially if you cannot use meth for a significant amount of time – your body will demand it, and your behavior will affect other people |
| You will experience muscle tremors and severe headaches especially when you have no access to crack for a long time | You will increase your chances of dealing with cardiovascular events – heart failures and strokes are among them |
Addiction and Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal and addiction are, without a doubt, the worst consequences of drug abuse. Whether meth or crack is your drug of choice, it is extremely difficult to cope with the symptoms of withdrawal and overcome addiction on your own. Let us take a look at the signs that indicate your dependence on these narcotics as well as a need to seek emergency help:
| Crack | Meth |
| Respiratory issues – you will cough all the time, experience shortness of breath, and feel sharp chest pain | Fatigue and lack of energy even if you were able to rest |
| Fast heartbeat, heart palpitations, and elevated blood pressure | Sleep disturbances whether you cannot fall asleep at night or sleep too much |
| Significant weight loss caused by the appetite-suppressing impact of crack | Inability to think and express your emotions in a constructive manner |
| Lack of social activity and a desire to self-isolate | Psychosis and suicidal ideations |
| Large and dilated pupils or bloodshot eyes | Significant changes to appearance – deteriorated gums and teeth, skin infections, and meth sores |
Legal Status and Consequences
Crack cocaine is included in Schedule I – the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs classifies this substance as illegal whether the goal of the individual is to manufacture crack, distribute it, possess it, or use this drug for recreational purposes. Methamphetamine is listed on Schedule II – while it is illegal for the general public and all the actions listed above will be subject to criminal prosecution, the Drug Enforcement Administration reserves the right to authorize the use of this stimulant for research purposes.
Treatment and Support Resources at Bakersfield Recovery Center
Drug addiction is a serious disease yet recovery is possible – if you are willing to take a step towards a healthier version of yourself and leave your substance abuse in the past, you should rely on mental health professionals and addiction experts to guide you to wellness. Contact Bakersfield Recovery Center without delay – we can educate you on the crack vs meth difference and help you overcome your addiction and safeguard your future.
FAQs
What are the main differences between cocaine addiction and methamphetamine abuse?
Meth is considered a more addictive substance than cocaine – it is estimated that meth produces three times more dopamine than cocaine so it makes sense that a person gets addicted to it faster and the drug abuse is harder to battle.
How do stimulant effects from cocaine and methamphetamine impact psychoactive substance users?
There is a reason crack and meth are so popular – when the person uses these drugs for the first time or believes they can control their drug use if they only do it once in a while, they feel euphoric and happy, their heart beats faster, they feel alert, fresh, and energetic, and they are able to forget about the persistent sadness in case they are using illicit substances to elevate their mood.
What drug rehabilitation options are available for those struggling with cocaine addiction and methamphetamine abuse?
When your drug use is out of control, it is time to seek professional treatment. No matter how long you have been addicted to narcotics, the first step is detoxification under the supervision of medical professionals – they will help you manage the symptoms of withdrawal during the time when the chances of relapse are very high. After that, you can sign up for a residential treatment program to benefit from a strict routine and schedule in a rehabilitation facility, attend therapy sessions to talk with a counselor one-on-one, try conventional and alternative therapy modalities in case of a dual diagnosis, and meet with your peers in group therapy to find like-minded people and help each other recover.
How can recovery programs help individuals overcome substance use treatment challenges associated with illicit drugs?
When you rely on mental health professionals to guide you during the first days and weeks of your sobriety, you have a chance to avoid temptations to use drugs again, prevent relapse, and learn what healthy coping mechanisms are available to you as you navigate your new sober life.
What are the long-term risks of using psychoactive substances like cocaine and methamphetamine?
The lasting effects of cocaine and methamphetamine on your body are often severe – from an appearance that will change and make you unrecognizable to a weakened immune system that makes you more susceptible to infections and viruses, there are numerous consequences you need to bear in mind before you try drugs for the first time and, hopefully, reconsider your decision.
