…Freebaseing cocaine is a method where a user smokes cocaine. In essence to freebase cocaine is to smoke the base form of cocaine. Because it is the base form of cocaine it is insoluble in water so you can not snort or shoot into your vein this form of cocaine.
Crack cocaine is the least expensive and currently the widest form of cocaine used in America. A crack addict will commonly refer to crack as a rock. It is a hard substance that is smoked and looks like soap shavings. You actually smoke the rock but inhale the vapors. There is a sound of crackling that happens during this process and it is believed this is where the name “crack cocaine” came from. When inhaling cocaine vapors this way into the lungs the effect can be as rapid as injecting directly into the bloodstream.
Treating the cocaine or crack addict can be a challenge. There is a battle occurring between advocates for those addicted and the medical professionals that look at the chemistry of the drug. In short it is believed that although there can be chronic use, abuse, misuse, and even dependency on cocaine and crack, there are not physical withdrawals that an addict will go through. With alcohol it is very well documented that there are serious physical withdrawals. With cocaine it truly is the mental obsession - the craving - is what most cocaine addicts suffer from.
A stimulant of the central nervous system is where cocaine has its effects. Depending on the amount and the way the drug was ingested will determine how long the high will last. More and more we are seeing that a true cocaine addict or crack addict will use again right as they come down, so for some the use can be not only daily but hourly and even at times within minutes.
There is a new approach several physicians are having great luck with in treating the addict or problem cocaine user and it involves treating the problem from an out patient setting and truly developing a solution to address the craving. The doctors are available through out the United States and see each person initially after a phone consultation with their staff. Although group counseling can always be useful and beneficial to those who respond well to that modality of treatment, it is not mandated from these physicians. The goal is to target the biology of the individual person. The treatment is unique and there are doctors who are trained in this new methodology. In the Los Angeles area, call the Los Angeles Recovery Center at (310) 496 - 5505, and in the Dallas area call the Murray Hill Recovery Center at (214) 234 - 2400. They would be glad to tell you more and let you know all of your options. If they are not an option for you and you need help - they will gladly refer you to a place that can help.
