What is the Difference Between Crack and Cocaine?

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug that is derived from the leaves of the Coca plant found in South America. It causes an intense high that is highly addictive. The effects of cocaine include increased energy, a fast heartbeat, increased blood pressure, a rush of euphoria, and more.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), 27,788,000 people aged 12 or older in the United States used cocaine at some point in their lifetime.[1]

There is a form of cocaine that is referred to as crack. While cocaine is a white powder, crack is cooked into a rock or crystalline-like substance. Since it is cooked into a solid form using baking soda, much of the purity of cocaine is lost during the process.

While crack is derived from cocaine, there are many differences between the substances. First, most people snort cocaine, while crack is traditionally smoked. Additionally, crack tends to be faster-acting than cocaine.

In this article, you will learn:

• What is cocaine
• What is crack
• What are the differences between cocaine and crack

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a stimulant that is considered a Schedule II substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse. While it is approved for medical use as an anesthetic, the presence of safer drugs means it is seldom used. More often than not, cocaine is created in illegal drug labs and sold on the street.

The side effects of cocaine include:[2]

• Increased energy and focus
• A rush of euphoria
• Increased sociability and talkativeness
• Fast heartbeat and increased blood pressure
• Dilated pupils
• Excessive sweating
• Hypersensitivity to sight, sound, and touch
• Decreased need for food and sleep
• Restlessness, anxiety, and paranoia
• Tremors, vertigo, and muscle twitches
• Violent or erratic behavior

Long-term use of cocaine will lead to addiction. It is also possible to experience heart attacks, strokes, and life-threatening overdoses when abusing cocaine. Mixing cocaine with other substances like alcohol increases your risk of overdosing.

What is Crack?

Crack is a version of cocaine that is created by dissolving powdered cocaine in a mixture of water or baking soda and heating it until it becomes a rock-like substance. It emerged as a common drug of abuse in the 1980s. Crack got its name because it makes a crackling sound when smoked.

The effects of crack include:[3]

• A rush of euphoria
• Increased energy and focus
• Hyperactivity
• Sensitivity to light, sound, and touch
• Increased self-esteem and confidence
• Irritability, anxiety, and paranoia
• Symptoms of psychosis such as delusions or hallucinations

Smoking crack will lead to an addiction. Once you stop using crack, you will experience withdrawal symptoms like vomiting, fatigue, restlessness, and more. As a result, you should always seek help from a medical detox center.

Crack vs Cocaine: Understanding the Differences

While crack and cocaine have many similarities, there are also differences to be aware of. Crack is derived from cocaine, but it tends to cause effects faster while cocaine lasts longer. Additionally, crack is a rock-like substance, while cocaine is a powder.

The main differences between cocaine and crack include:

Purity and Form

Cocaine tends to be more pure than crack due to the process in which crack is made. Additionally, cocaine is a fine white powder, while crack is a crystalline rock substance.

Method of Administration

Cocaine is usually snorted, while crack is typically smoked. That said, it is possible to inject both crack and cocaine.

Popularity

While 27,788,000 people in the United States have abused cocaine at some point in their lives,  6,222,000 individuals have abused crack.[4] This means that cocaine is a more popular drug of abuse.

Length of Effects

The high from crack cocaine begins instantaneously and lasts 5 to 10 minutes. On the other hand, cocaine takes effect within a few minutes and can last for up to 30 minutes.

Expense

Crack tends to be less expensive than cocaine, which might make it easier to sustain a long-term addiction to the drug.

Find Help for Cocaine or Crack Abuse

Both crack and cocaine are dangerous substances to abuse. Either drug can lead to significant cardiac risks like heart attack or even heart failure. Additionally, you can develop serious mental health concerns from abusing these drugs, such as substance-induced psychosis.

Because of these risks, you should always seek professional help when suffering from a crack or cocaine addiction. Thankfully, organizations like New Jersey Interventions can help you find a drug rehab program that suits your needs. We can also prepare an intervention for a loved one refusing treatment.

New Jersey Interventions is here to help you with all of your addiction recovery needs. Our addiction specialists will provide you with an in-depth assessment to determine what type of treatment is right for you. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you find treatment for crack or cocaine abuse.

References:

1. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): Powdered Cocaine Fast Facts 
2. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Cocaine 
3. Taylor and Francis Online: Crack cocaine use: a review of prevalence and adverse effects
4. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): Crack Cocaine Fast Facts