By now most of Americans know what “Crack Cocaine” is. For those who have been asleep or out of the loop for the past 25 to 30 years, “Crack” is the street name for the smokable form of cocaine. Those who have smoked Crack Cocaine report experiencing an intense rush type of high that reportedly does not last long. Smoking cocaine in Crack form delivers a large quantity of the drug to the users’ lungs. This produces an immediate and very intense feeling of euphoria. The rocks of crack cocaine are burned or ignited in make shift “crack pipes”. These pipes or smoking paraphernalia vary in style from glass to soda bottles, spoons, aluminum foil etc. Whatever the user has to use to smoke is sufficient. The vapors that are produced are then inhaled by the users directly into the lungs. Snap “Crack” and Pop
Crack Cocaine became an American major drug of choice about 25 plus years ago. The term “Crack” is believed to refer to the cracking and popping sound the drug makes when it is heated. Sort of like “Rice Krispies” Cereal.
Crack Cocaine addicts are people who compulsively seek and use crack cocaine at any cost. The physical signs of Crack Cocaine abuse vary from user to user but the results are ultimately the same for those who continue to user the drug. Crack Cocaine suppresses the appetite of the user. The user doesn’t eat and begins to lose weight. Crack Cocaine addicts are known to go on binges and use the drug for day’s even weeks on end. The addiction to Crack Cocaine can start with just one hit and occasional use. However, eventually the user can’t “just stop” or simply decide when or when not to use. Crack Cocaine takes over very quickly and the user turns into an abuser, the abuser eventually becomes addicted and the addict will need to “STOP USING” and SEEK TREATMENT or DIE, it’s that simple.
Addiction
In 2006, 72 percent of the people who sought treatment for cocaine abuse were crack users and 10 percent of the “publicly-funded” drug abuse center admissions in that same year were for Crack Cocaine according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Furthermore, according to the NIDA, the average age of the people admitted to treatment for Crack cocaine abuse during 2007 was 39 years old. Also, the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) approximated that at least 8.4 million Americans aged 12 or older reported trying crack cocaine at least once during their lifetimes. This number represents 3.4 percent of the 12 year old or older population of America. That same 2008 NSDUH data indicates that approximately 1.1 million (0.4%) reported past year crack cocaine use and 359,000 (0.1%) reported past month crack cocaine use.
Breaking the Cycle
Crack Cocaine addiction is a difficult addiction to break alone. Treatment is necessary and highly recommended. The psychological affects of Crack Cocaine addiction can take a toll on the user physically making the simplest things difficult. Treatment addresses the addiction to the drug and the problems associated with using and abstaining. Treatment for Crack Cocaine addiction includes “TOTAL ABSTINENCE” from the drug, a change of environment, counseling and proper nutrition.
Also, according to the Atlanta Recovery Network, Narconon of Georgia and an organization called A Right To Succeed Inc. (the A.R.T.S. Project), a very important part of recovery from any addiction is the addict having an opportunity to tell and share their story with others. The experiences of a person who is or was addicted to Crack Cocaine may have a negative or positive ending but the knowledge of that experience may prove helpful to others.
Tales from the Crack
The following two stories are real life experiences of just a couple of well known celebrities who have had an experience with Crack Cocaine addiction. Their stories of addiction, pain and suffering, loss, growth and development have been added with the hope that someone who may be stuck in the grips of Crack Cocaine addiction will find strength and pull something out of these stories that will help them help themselves. As you will see in their stories, Crack Cocaine addiction does not discriminate. It doesn’t care about race, culture, nationality or, in these cases, class status. Crack Cocaine addiction is an equal opportunity addiction.
Richard Pryor (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005)
The legendary comedian Richard Pryor was at the top of his game, or so it seemed, when he set himself on fire during a admitted Crack Cocaine binge. Known for his for his serious social political rib splitting humor, Richard Pryor was addicted to crack cocaine for years. According to Richard Pryor he was raised in a brothel and eventually dropped out of high school and used his sense of humor to make a living. Richard Pryor would grow to become the most respected and imitated comedian of all time. But all this would almost come to an end. According to media and the comedians own personal accounts, on June 9, 1980, while in his home in the suburbs of L.A. Richard Pryor doused himself with alcohol and set himself on fire while freebasing cocaine. The comedian admitted to Barbara Walters’s years later that this was a suicide attempt. He went on to say that he “was crazy," and that he was so addicted Cocaine he “couldn't stop for five minutes.” In his film “Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (1986) he reenacted this chilling scene. Richard Pryor died of a heart attack on December 10th, 2005. Many believe his death was caused by the damage done to his heart and body by the many years of drug abuse.
Samuel L. Jackson
The well known famous actor Samuel L. Jackson was addicted to Crack Cocaine and other drugs as well. He admittedly used drugs throughout his early years as an actor. All the while his wife Latanya faithfully supported him and stayed by his side. This story is not merely one of someone who overcame his addiction to become a successful superstar actor; this is also a story of Latanya Jackson and those many supportive people whose lives are indirectly affected by the user and the drug. Samuel L. Jackson said in his early years as an actor he “never worked without an illegal or controlled substance in his body.” He said he drank alcohol and was the man at parties who could drink you under the table. According to Mr. Jackson he did everything from smoking marijuana, taking acid, snorting and eventually smoking crack cocaine. All this madness was taking a toll on his wife Latanya who ultimately got him into rehab. Two weeks out of rehab he was casted in the famous Spike Lee Joint “Jungle Fever” in which he played (ironically enough) a Crack Head. A role he knew so well and played so realistically that he won acclaim and it made him a star.
In conclusion, not all the stories of addiction end in recovery or have a happy ending. Before your or your loved ones story ends tragically get help.
