How long before crack cocaine causes permanent or longlasting damage?

Question

someone i know is a daily user of crack cocaine. i know that there are huge risks associated. what i really want to know is how long before there is actually a likelihood, not just a risk, of them being permanently brain-damaged by this addiction.

Answer 1

Depends on the person. Some people can use just once and be addicted, or severely damaged. Others it may take a few uses. Some people also handle it differently. They may never have blaring side effects, but instead have quirky little things going on, you just have to look harder to see them. My family didn't really even know I was using until after I quit. On a more personal level I don't remember thinking I had a problem until I'd been into the stuff for over a year.

It also depends on how much "you" use, like is it just a small amount or is it a "teener" (teener = 1/16 of, if I remember correctly, an ounce)or more.

Drugs like this also have a tendency to start out small, say one hit or line or whatever, and go from there. Next thing you know a $20 per week "thrill" becomes $40 or $50, and so on, until you wake up one day with a $200 a day addiction.

Side note: How did things go with your niece? After you closed your question about that I had another thought about the terminology that I was going to email you but you weren't accepting emails, so I did add it as a comment. Hope things went well!

Answer 2

Cocaine addiction can harm your health. Many people have lost jobs, homes, family, and loved ones simply because they could not beat thier cocaine habits. I recommend you seek some help. Here is a site that has addiction information and a directory of addiction treatment centers so you can help. http://www.addictionselfhelp.com



Live strong

Answer 3

I heard that the effects of one lot of drugs can last several years.  

Answer 4

It can happen the first time they take it. Being a Crack addict is very similar to having a terminal illness in that some people go downhill faster than others. Some recover eventually but it's a long hard road and the odds are against them.

I don't know how well you know this person but be careful. The majority of addicts don't start off by buying Crack from a dodgy man in an alleyway... they get it from their friends... Don't ever think you want to 'see what all the fuss is about' because that how it starts...

Just don't make yourself another statistic.

You can't cure this person, you can be a friend but you have to know when to take a step back and look at the situation objectively.

You're not in control of, or responsible for this persons behaviour so don't ever let guilt cloud your judgement.

Answer 5

IT does not take long to go downhill believe me,you are best to keep your distance now as crack users become very uncaring when they smoke this.I don't know how long it takes to become seriously ill but I imagine it wouldn't take long.

Answer 6

Cannabis increases the cardiovascular action of the heart...blood pressure is altered and the pulse rate rises..It's worth knowing that cannabis can cause brain atrophy, contains more tar than tobacco, and it also has a higher concentration of carcinogens (cancer-causing agents). Cannabis also affects memory and co-ordination as well as causing erectile problems...even in young males.

This will all happen quite quickly!

Answer 7

After the first hit. You know he's not stopping anytime soon.

Answer 8

the crack takes over very fast. and, one has no control over it.  i know of two people who were smoking crack daily, and came out of it with help.  and, they are normal now. other than that, probably you lose everything, you health, money, friends, life, teeth everything is gone, and then one day, you die from it.