Despite what Hollywood shows, the real-life effects of crack cocaine addiction are nothing short of devastating. Many people quickly find themselves in the throes of misuse and dependency due to the severity of crack’s effect on your brain’s reward center. But it’s possible to mitigate the short- and long-term effects of crack use with comprehensive and supportive care at Refresh Recovery & Wellness Centers. Our staff is trained to treat a range of substance use disorders effectively and with compassion. You’re in the right place.

Crack cocaine differs from powder cocaine in how it’s made. Manufacturers dissolve powder cocaine in a water mixture with ammonia or baking soda. The mixture is then boiled until it becomes a solid. This is dried and broken to make the chunks or rocks known as crack.

Smoking crack cocaine is the most common form of consumption. This provides an almost immediate and vivid euphoric effect. As the smoke hits the lungs, the large surface area is a direct pathway into the bloodstream and to the brain. Crack is a Schedule II substance, meaning it has a high potential for misuse; misuse of Schedule II substances can cause severe physical or psychological dependence along with mental health concerns.[2]

Street names for crack include Candy, Cookies, Gravel, Grit, Hail, Nuggets, Purple Caps, Scrabble, and Yam.

More than half — 55% — of people with cocaine-induced psychiatric symptoms have violent behaviors. And 68% to 85% of people experience paranoia. Because crack cocaine can create dependence after a single use, it’s often extremely hard for someone to overcome misuse without supervised detoxification and targeted professional support.

During their participation in crack cocaine addiction treatment in Massachusetts, many people find a sense of community through professional and peer support. Counseling focuses on discovering the why behind a crack use disorder and offering coping strategies and skills to help you or your loved one after their treatment plan ends.

While many people see counseling and therapy through a specific lens, it’s much more. They’re the foundation for lasting recovery. We offer a variety of counseling and therapy interventions at Refresh Recovery. Here are a few modalities you can expect to be part of your individualized treatment plan.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Identifies underlying causes of undesired behavior and works to change thought patterns and habits.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: Establishes more emotional control and regulates unhealthy internal patterns.
Motivational Interviewing: Activates core values and raises personal motivation to live healthier.
Trauma-Informed Treatment: Safely process past or present trauma with professional guidance and help.
Group Therapy: Share experiences in a safe space, learn from peers, and practice coping skills.
Family support groups: Learn from and support everyone in your family unit in effective and healthy ways.