Overdose
- “It’s possible it was emerging at the time and hadn’t caught on in some sites,” says Santibanez.
- They can last for weeks, and when they eventually do crack the jagged edges are easier to file smooth.
- If they was a user they would have more of an insight of what a person would be happy with … citric would be out of bounds … instead of citric, vitamin C is the best.
- These residual effects are more likely if you’ve been using crack frequently or heavily over an extended period of time.
Understanding Crack Cocaine: A Dangerous Substance
Some who prefer to use drugs by injection may be unable to affordably source powder cocaine in their area, or crack cocaine may be substantially cheaper. Most if not all of the infection control and other safety precautions intravenous drug injectors should follow also apply to individuals who inject drugs intramuscularly. In addition, muscle-poppers are at high risk for abscess formation, especially if what they inject has any particles in it whatsoever. When muscle-popping, it is extremely important to inject only a solution that is as particle-free as possible. Once you think you’re in a vein, pull the plunger back to see if blood comes into the syringe. If so, and the blood is dark red and slow moving, you know that you’ve hit a vein.
Crack cocaine is a powerful and highly addictive form of cocaine that has severe health consequences. Often, individuals may wonder, can you shoot crack? This article aims to address this question and provide insight into the risks associated with this drug.
Injecting is an unsafe practice and risks developing infections from contaminated needles or equipment. It is also linked to the possibility of overdosing since it is much more difficult to control how much is used when injecting than other methods. The harm reduction information that follows is offered as a public health service. Its purpose is not to encourage or condone the use or possession of illegal drugs. It is to help people make safer choices in their use of drugs that will reduce their chance of overdosing and or getting Hepatitis A B or C and HIV.
What is Crack Cocaine?
Because the high they experience is so pleasurable — and so short — they need more of the drug to maintain it. Eventually, an addiction is born; the user needs the drug to simply feel normal. When it comes time to help a loved one, you may want to stage an intervention with other family members and friends. You can all talk about addiction and how it has impacted your lives. Both inpatient and outpatient programs offer plans that include helping with detox and taking the first steps toward recovery.
Crack cocaine is derived from powdered cocaine, processed into a rock-like crystal form. It is notorious for its quick and intense euphoric effects but also carries significant risks of addiction and overdose.
Routes of Administration
When cocaine is purchased on the black market, it’s usually sold as a fine, white powder that most users snort. Also known as crack or coke, cocaine is a Schedule II stimulant drug due to its highly addictive nature. Drug dealers often mix this drug with other substances, called “fillers,” to conceal the drug’s ingredients and make the overall product weigh more, allowing dealers to make more money for the less pure drug. When you inject crack cocaine, you have to mix it with a weak acid to convert it into a soluble substance. When you inject crack, the effects of the drug begin faster and affect you more intensely.
There are several common methods of using crack cocaine, including:
- Smoking: The most common method, where users inhale vaporized crack.
- Snorting: Involves inhaling the powdered form through the nose.
- Injecting: This method raises the question of whether one can shoot crack.
The more you use, the greater the risk—but even taking the same or smaller amounts than you’ve used in the past can have bad effects. Use a new syringe with every injection—if this isn’t possible, bleach your syringe. [I use lemon and vinegar] loads of times, maybe for every ten times I inject probably two or three times, yeah, because I use so much citric for one bag, like the whole sachet, I run out of it constantly.
The range is as little as 20 mg IV, to a mean of 500 mg ingested orally, to 1.4 g. If psychostimulant-intoxicated patients do not die as a result of cardiac or cerebrovascular complications, it is essential to prevent further morbidity by controlling hyperthermia and treating rhabdomyolysis. Cocaine is the second most popular illegal recreational drug in Europe (behind cannabis).
Removal of sterilisation constraints and/or return to bulk provision could meet resistance due to concerns about risk of bacterial infection from the acid itself. Questionnaire participants were purposively sampled for invitation to the qualitative interview, with attention to capturing diversity in age, gender, injecting history and experience of SSTI. Interviews were of 60–120 min in duration, audio-recorded with consent and conducted in a private room at a recruiting service, a café or the participant’s home. Participants were invited to talk about their life history and their drug use trajectory. Detail was sought about injecting environments and drug preparation practices, including the use of acidifiers.
Can You Shoot Crack?
The direct answer is that while it is technically possible to shoot crack, it is not safe or advisable. The risks associated with this method of use include:
IV drug use itself is highly dangerous, posing a myriad of health risks. When you begin to intravenously use a potent drug like crack cocaine, the risks of IV drug use multiply. If you are injecting crack cocaine, that means that you are sending the substance directly into your bloodstream, allowing it to reach your brain faster and perpetuating your risk of severe addiction. Crack is a highly concentrated form of cocaine, making it much more potent and highly addictive. While the drug was named “crack” because of the crackling and popping sounds it makes when it is smoked, some people abuse the drug intravenously. Injecting crack cocaine causes the already potent effects to become intensified, making it that much harder for you to quit abusing it.
- Health Risks: Injecting crack cocaine can lead to severe health issues including vascular damage, vein collapse, and increased risk of infectious diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis.
- Addition Potential: The rapid onset of effects when injecting drugs heightens the risk of addiction and leads to dangerous patterns of use.
- Overdose Risk: Injecting crack increases the potential for overdose, which can be fatal.
Why is Injecting Crack Dangerous?
The dangers of injecting crack cocaine can be outlined as follows:
- Immediate Intoxication: The effects of injected crack are immediate and intense, increasing the likelihood of overdose.
- Contamination: The preparation and injection process can easily lead to contamination and infections.
- Risk of Tolerance: Users may develop a faster tolerance, leading to increased usage and potential for overdose.
FAQs: Shooting Crack
Q: Why do some people choose to inject crack cocaine?
A: Some individuals may prefer injecting due to the rapid and powerful high it delivers compared to other methods of use.
Q: Are the effects of shooting crack different from smoking it?
A: Yes, injecting produces a more immediate and intense effect, but it also carries greater risks.
Q: What are the signs of a crack overdose?
- Severe agitation or anxiety
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
Conclusion
Crack cocaine is already a perilous substance, and attempting to inject it adds even more risks. Understanding the dangers is crucial for anyone considering drug use or supporting someone struggling with addiction. Always seek professional help if you or someone you know needs assistance with substance use issues.
