Crack Recovery Stages

Crack Cocaine, the very addictive potent stimulant derivative of powder cocaine. The drug is created via a cooking process that converts the powder cocaine, common everyday baking soda and water into a rock like solid form that is then smoked by the user.  Crack emerged and quickly became the popular as a drug of choice and very heavily abused during the 1980s. It is very addictive and abusive because it produces a fast euphoric high and it is also cheap and inexpensive to produce thus it is very affordable.

Crack Use

Crack users have reported affects such as becoming hyper vigilant or abnormally increased arousal, responsiveness to stimuli, experiencing auditory hallucinations and becoming hypersensitive. Users report hearing music, people talking, sounds of sirens, cars arriving outside and other paranoid ideations.

Tactile Hallucinations

Tactile hallucination is a sense perception. It is a false or distorted perception of things or things happening that seem real. The senses of sight, touch, sound, smell, and even taste are heightened, distorted and according to Webster Dictionary, “have no basis in external stimulation”. The Crack cocaine user may experience feeling their skin crawl or even feeling and seeing bugs on their skin. A heightened sense of awareness will occur to the point of paranoia. User becomes very suspicious of movement in their immediate area, especially in the area where they are using the drug. A common act of Crack Cocaine users while using is the act of hiding and shutting themselves in.

Stages of Recovery

There are reportedly seven (7) stages of Crack Cocaine use/abuse. These stages may vary depending on the user. It is important to understand the stages of abuse because the knowledge may save your life or the life of a loved one. The information provided is from a number of credible medical and social service sources. It is my sincerest hope that the reader of this information uses it to take action in their life or the life of a loved one.

Stage #1: Panic

Approximately one to three hours after last use the user will experience a sense of panic. The primary concern at here is “money”, how and where to get it. At this point nothing else matters. The user begins to search and rummage around the home or place where they had been using in search of something anything they can sell, pawn. Begging, at this point is a “real” option. Borrowing and even stealing to get high has now become a matter of opportunity, where and when. Users are known to search the carpet in hopes finding a rock in the fibers. Picking lint from rugs and clothing is common during this stage of abuse. This is considered an “acute withdrawal stage”. At this point good judgment is out the window and the user will rob family members, people in public, stores and local shops to get high. Any and everything in users own neighborhood that could potentially produce the funds needed to get them high becomes a prime target. The cravings are so intense during the stage of acute withdrawal that the user can’t think logically. Right or wrong and sense of morals and integrity have been lost to the want and psychological need for more Crack.

Stage #2: Crash

Between three and twenty-four hours after the last hit the user will become depressed, remorseful and even suicidal. The user’s brain needs rest however the body’s natural sleeping pill “serotonin” has been used up sleep at this point doesn’t come easy. Feelings of regret begin to set in and the user begins to wonder about the spent paycheck and depleted money that wasn’t theirs to spend. They may sold or pawned items from the home or family heirlooms for a fraction of their worth.  They may have stolen from a loved one. This phase of abuse is marked by promises to “never do it again”. During this remorseful state of mind the user may even believe the promises they made to never do the things they have done again. Stage #2 Cocaine Induced Depression is the stage of highest risk of suicide by a user.

Stage #3: The Honeymoon

The “Honeymoon Stage” sets in about one to five days after last use. The user at this point feels good and can better mange his or her cravings for the drug. The effects of the drug are seemingly wearing off and the user is beginning to feel confident that they can handle their addiction to the drug. At this level of addiction it is not uncommon for a user to make statements of conquering their addiction. They will make strong and bold statements like “I’m done with Crack now, it’s all over now. I don’t need that stuff. I don’t know what got into me.” They are disillusioned and in denial. They fail to recognize the signs and are setting themselves up for another episode. What is happening at this point is the dopamine (the chemical in the brain that is the body’s natural happy drug) is depleted and therefore the user has a false sense of dislike for the drug. The Honeymoon Stage #3 is a very dangerous stage because it is easy to believe there is no problem with the drug or the user. During this phase of abuse users are vulnerable. The natural defend, minimize and rationalize and convince themselves that they are finally cured and don’t need any more treatment for their addiction. The Honeymoon Stage is the stage that most people leave treatment. This is a very risky stage as the user feels strong and they lost awareness of what crisis brought them to this point.

Stage #4: Return of Craving:

About five to fourteen days after the last hit a user may feel an serious burst and upsurge of hunger for the drug”, they may feel depressed and angry as well. By now the user’s body has produced just enough serotonin/dopamine for the user to want to get high again but not enough to stabilize the user’s emotions or mood. At this point the use experiences an intense hunger for the drug; they may fantasize and dream about it. Their thoughts are centered on the use of the drug so much so that they feel like giving in and using again. The defenses of denial, minimization, rationalization and intellectualization set in again.

Narconon Cocaine Treatment Centers provide a proven method for handling drug cravings.

Stage #5: Emotional Augmentation

The “Emotional Augmentation” stage begins about fourteen to twenty-eight days after the last time user used the drug and can last up to one to two years. During this stage the user may over respond to everyday events and life’s normal stressors. The user may experience mood swings of happiness and sadness. This is the stage where little issues become huge issues. The brain is reproducing the biochemicals depleted during active use and these new chemicals are creating strong emotions that stimulate mood. This is the affect that drugs have on the brain. The body at this point is repairing itself. Until the repair is complete the user’s emotions are imbalanced but the user is unaware of the imbalanced. At this point in the user recovery the user needs objective support and feedback on his or her attitude and behavior.  Treatment is crucial here. Counseling, groups, plenty of water and good nutrition are recommended among other things. Symptoms of Stage #5 Emotional Augmentation may include depression, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and problems with attention span, fatigue, nightmares, headaches and insomnia.

Stage #6: Covert Cravings:

Within twenty-eight days to thirty-five days of the last use of Crack cocaine the user may become secretive and begin to use bad judgment. Although the sense of cravings is consistently not as strong, still the user may periodically have strong cravings but not want to admit it. They don’t want to seem weak or that they are slipping. The cravings may be low still; they are craving and feel bad about them. Glory stories of Good time using may trigger them. They may even have dream. At this point they need someone to talk to.

Stage #7: Cue Conditioning

Approximately thirty-five days in the user in recovery may experience “Cue Conditioning”. These are triggers such as disappointment, anger, money, music, a movie, or even just an intense feeling of happiness may trigger a want to use. Cues or triggers could be anything associated with using the drug. They will diminish over time and get weaker and weaker and years to come the user will be better able to manage the Cues but don’t be fooled. Treatment and awareness is critical to a successful recovery. Get the facts