Crack Addiction Withdrawal

Crack addiction withdrawal occurs when the crack addict suddenly quits using crack or cuts down tremendously. When the crack binge ends, a "crack crash" almost immediately follows. This crash causes the crack addict to have extreme sleepiness, fatigue, depression and anxiety along with an intense craving for more crack.

 

Crack addiction withdrawal does not have the severe physical withdrawal symptoms such as alcohol or heroin, however many crack addicts claim that the level of craving, irritability, delayed depression, and other symptoms produced by crack withdrawal exceeds that felt with other withdrawal syndromes.

 

Crack withdrawal symptoms are strongest during the first week after the last use, however, the crack craving and depression can last for months after heavy, long-term crack abuse.

 

Primary crack addiction withdrawal symptoms include:

These crack withdrawal symptoms will disappear over time however many crack addicts often substitute alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics, or anti-anxiety medications such as Xanax or Valium to mask their symptoms. If these medications are not readily available, the addict is often misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders and given medications from medical doctors who are not made aware of the persons crack addiction. The addict then becomes addicted to the medications and is trading one addiction for another.

 

Because of the intense crack craving as well as the depression and anxiety that occurs during crack withdrawal, it is important that crack withdrawal takes place under the supervision of medical professionals. Trained medical personnel can help create a comfortable, supportive environment for the individual that will help them through this difficult time.