Last Updated:
June 13th, 2024
The effects of crack cocaine abuse on the user are varied and significant. It also has major ramifications for the physical and psychological health of the families of those struggling with crack cocaine addiction.
We’re going to explore the many impacts of addiction to crack cocaine on family dynamics, relationships and overall healthy being, offer a guide to spotting the signs of crack cocaine addiction, and outline a pathway to recovery.
The effects of crack cocaine addiction
It is common for people who abuse crack to share significant features that precede the onset of addiction. These include underlying psychological/ emotional problems, shame, hopelessness and guilt, impaired self-esteem and confidence, and a tendency toward sensation seeking. These are all highly associated with a history of trauma.
Entering into crack addiction increases the likelihood of crime and negative interactions with the state. Funding the addiction becomes paramount, and criminal activities are turned to to ensure the supply of crack does not run out. As the user engages in criminal activities more and more, interactions with the police will increase, affecting them and their families.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Act of 2003 punitively cracked down on visibly ‘deviant and criminal activities like dealing, begging, loitering and drug use, and crack users were very frequently caught up in this process. Today, users of crack still find themselves falling into this cycle of crime, punitive policing and poverty. This has huge negative effects on the user – but the effects on their families cannot be overstated.
Signs of addiction to crack cocaine
Families of users of crack cocaine will usually be aware that something is wrong but may not know what it is immediately. Symptoms of crack cocaine addiction, such as secrecy, guilt, financial problems and erratic behaviour, are not specific to crack. Many drug addictions, or addictions in general, share signs. There will also be significant overlap with signs of addiction to other uppers, such as methamphetamine. However, some signs are specific to crack and look out for.
Paraphernalia can be a clear tell-tale sign – crack is often smoked from small pipes or foil. Burned lips and fingers, in addition to this, can be a sign of crack use.
As crack is a potent stimulant, behavioural signs will include dilated pupils, weight loss and loss of appetite, intense mood swings, paranoia, agitation and periods of significant energy followed by crashes. Users often experience itchy skin, and the sensation of ‘bugs underneath the skin’ is often reported, leading to skin picking and lesions. Crack can prematurely age the skin. Because cracks are highly corrosive, they can significantly damage the lungs and teeth and lead to tooth loss.
People struggling with addiction will go to great lengths to hide their use, experiencing intense shame and guilt as a result, but the signs of a crack addiction are extreme and manifest quickly.
One telltale sign that the substance causing the issue is crack is the rapidity of the onset of signs. Dependency is rapid, meaning behavioural tells will become quickly noticeable. Crack addiction is associated with significant mortality rates, and recognising the signs early can be crucial for catching the addiction quickly. Early intervention can potentially be life-saving.
Effects on families
In addition to the severe physical and mental effects on the user, the immediate effects on families are profound and severe. The erratic behaviour associated with crack cocaine abuse can create an environment of intense fear and tension. Children and spouses bear the significant brunt of this tense environment, leading to relational dynamics marked by insecurity and fear.
A Brazilian study showed that crack/cocaine usage had a greater negative effect on families than any other drug – with crack causing more arguments and difficulties getting on with family members and a higher rate of interactions with child services than powder cocaine use. Family cohesion was significantly lower for crack cocaine addiction than alcohol addiction, and crack users more often reported that sometimes people in their family hit each other.
Crack is extremely short-acting, with the high lasting only 15 minutes.7 This means the user’s priorities very quickly become oriented around chasing the high, and the cost of sustaining the addiction very quickly escalates. This creates a massive financial burden for the user and their family, rapidly creating a destabilising effect. This is one of the reasons that there is a strong association between crack cocaine addiction and homelessness – the user can burn through money quickly and end up with nothing left.
Children are uniquely vulnerable to the effects of addiction within a family. A substance addiction does not mean that a user cannot take care of their children, but it will be significantly harder. Parents with substance use issues will struggle to give their children consistent support and care, respond appropriately to their needs, maintain a safe environment and cover essential expenses. Children need stability, and the erratic behaviours associated with crack addiction can be especially destabilising to children living in the home of someone with active crack addiction.
Supporting families in recovery
Due to the unsettling and destabilising effects of crack addiction on families, support for family members is an integral part of the recovery process, essential for repairing relationships and rebuilding trust. Educational programmes and support groups give essential spaces for loved ones to share their experiences, learn coping strategies and connect with communities of peers facing similar challenges.
Crack cocaine addiction treatment for individuals and families
Getting help for crack cocaine addiction is challenging but not impossible.
Crack cocaine detox is the first step in managing and addressing physical dependence and managing crack cocaine withdrawal. However, detox from crack cocaine is just the first step. There is a wide range of longer-term support, including crack cocaine rehab, which will take a holistic and personalised approach depending on the individual’s needs.
The individual’s usage of crack cocaine will likely have caused significant strain on their relationships with their loved ones. Familial involvement in treatment for crack cocaine addiction can be a powerful tool, potentiating the effects of treatment and significantly aiding the recovery process.
However, it is equally important that family members set strong boundaries and expectations as they enter the recovery process. This is essential for protecting the mental health of family members and to avoid enabling behaviours in the user.
Recovery is an ongoing process that requires continuous support, vigilance and dedication. Participating in aftercare programmes and having solid relapse prevention strategies are key to maintaining sobriety. For families, time is one of the most important resources to draw upon. Repairing the damage caused by crack cocaine addiction will be a process of healing and rebuilding, working together to mend the rifts and creating a healthier and more stable environment.
With the right support and dedication to the process, individuals and their families can overcome the grip of addiction and start to rebuild together.