by Marie Monroe

Created on: November 03, 2008

Crack addiction usually begins well into another addiction or during concurrent multiple addictions. It is not unusual to find that the addict who begins crack use also has a significant depression well under way before beginning use. Many recovering crack addicts will report having had a serious depression prior to any substance use. Other addicts will cite a serious depression reactive to the chronic use of substances before trying crack. The stimulating effects of crack provide some relief, at least for as long as the high lasts.

Crack, a derivative of cocaine, is a chemical stimulant that boosts, at least momentarily, the brain chemistry needed to feel pleasure. Crack targets the pleasure center of the brain. For brief periods, typically the time of the crack-induced high, the addict feels better, much better. A pinpoint, pleasure center-seeking intoxicant, crack hits the brain at just the right angle to alleviate the addict's usual depression.

Of course, this relief is illusory. Soon the addict depletes brain chemistry of its feel-good ingredients even more. This is the nature of the substance and why addicts in withdrawal become profoundly depressed, even suicidal.

Prolonged use of crack alters brain chemistry so that the brain, on its own, cannot fire the pleasure center.

Crack's high is brief. Even the detectable presence of crack is short-lived. Some addicts metabolize the substance out of their bodies within 24 hours. For others, it may be 48 or 72 hours. In the world of substance abuse, this is rapid. In the world of the addict, this means rapid cycles of craving and use. Behaviorally, such cycles set up formidable reinforcement schedules. In layman's terms, one can easily become compelled to not lose the high, and once use has started, compulsive use continues. Typically, the binge ends when the supply is gone.

The compulsion of crack addiction is notorious. Addicts talk about being "possessed" by the drug. Some speak of it as "evil" or as "the devil himself". These descriptions only suggest the strength of this compulsion. With some understanding of the brain's response to crack cocaine, it is easier to understand the intense scramble for more that most addicts will eventually experience. The high is intense and brief. The desire for more comes as quickly as the high subsides.

The use of crack cocaine takes the addict many places. Most recovering crack addicts will tell stories of degradation and shame. Their compulsion-driven behaviors violated their own standards of behavior. The drug took their money, families, jobs, self-respect, spirit and boundaries. Recovery from crack cocaine usually starts at ground zero on all fronts, but recovery is possible. The brain can heal as can the soul. There is help available, use it.

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