Crack Cocaine Addiction Facts, Figures, & Statistics
Crack cocaine by the numbers
Crack Cocaine Facts, Figures, and Statistics
Crack cocaine is a potent, highly addictive form of cocaine that is processed to produce a rock-like substance that can be smoked. It produces an intense and immediate euphoric effect by rapidly delivering high doses of the drug to the brain and can quickly turn into a devastating addiction.
In this page, we’ll dive into the key information for crack cocaine usage, exploring its prevalence, demographic patterns, health impacts, and social consequences.
What is crack cocaine?
Crack cocaine is a powerful and highly addictive form of cocaine that is processed into a rock-like substance. Unlike powder cocaine, which is typically snorted or injected, crack cocaine is smoked, leading to a rapid and intense euphoric effect.
Its use poses severe health risks, including cardiovascular problems, respiratory issues, and significant mental health disorders.
Did you know?
INTERESTING CRACK COCAINE FACTS
A history of crack cocaine use
Crack cocaine emerged in the early 1980s as a cheaper, smokable form of cocaine, quickly gaining popularity in urban areas of the United States. Its rapid spread was fuelled by its affordability and the intense, short-lived high it provided, leading to widespread addiction and social issues. The crack epidemic prompted significant public health and law enforcement responses, deeply impacting communities and shaping drug policy.
What makes crack cocaine addictive?
Crack cocaine hooks people so intensely because it delivers an almost immediate and intense euphoria when smoked. This high hits fast and hard, but it doesn’t last long, quickly crashing and leaving users craving more to recapture that fleeting feeling. The cycle of soaring highs and harsh lows messes with the brain’s reward system, making it incredibly hard to resist the urge to use again, even when knowing the harmful consequences.
CRACK COCAINE USE IN NUMBERS
Crack statistics in the UK
UK usage
Crack cocaine use is a significant concern, with an estimated 47,168 individuals using crack cocaine in the UK.
Dependency rates
Studies and reports consistently highlight that a significant proportion of users quickly develop a dependency due to the drug’s potent and short-lived high.
Drug classification
Cocaine and crack are classified as Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act, making it illegal to possess, supply, or produce them, with maximum penalties of 7 years imprisonment plus a fine for possession, and life imprisonment plus a fine for supply and production.
The cost of crack cocaine use
Crack cocaine addiction often leads to substantial financial hardship. Addicts can spend hundreds to thousands of pounds weekly to sustain their habit, leading to financial ruin and associated criminal activities to fund their addiction.
Tolerance levels
Tolerance to crack cocaine develops quickly, meaning users need increasingly larger doses to achieve the same euphoric effects.
Level of consumption
In 2019-2020, there was a using rate of 1.3 per 1,000 people.
Seizures
In the financial year ending 2023, there were 54 kg of crack cocaine seized in England and Wales, marking a 25% increase from the previous year.
Treatment
The number of people entering treatment for crack cocaine use increased in 2022-2023, with 20,158 individuals treated for crack cocaine combined with opiates, and 5,444 treated for crack cocaine alone.
Deaths
There were 857 deaths involving cocaine in 2022, continuing an upward trend and highlighting the severe risk associated with crack cocaine use.
People most likely to become addicted to crack cocaine often face significant economic challenges, including poverty and unemployment. Those living in high-crime urban areas, with limited education and support services, are particularly vulnerable, and addiction rates are especially high among the homeless.
HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
How does crack cocaine affect health?
Short term effects
Intense feeling of euphoria
Heightened alertness and sensitivity
Dilated pupils
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Long term effects
Cardiovascular problems (heart attacks, heart disease, strokes)
Cognitive decline including memory and decision-making
Mental health disorders (depression, anxiety, psychosis)
Higher risk of infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis
Can you overdose on crack cocaine?
It is always possible to overdose on crack cocaine. An overdose occurs when the drug’s toxic effects overwhelm the body, leading to symptoms like severe agitation, hyperthermia, convulsions, and cardiovascular collapse. This can result in life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, respiratory failure, and, ultimately, death if not promptly treated.
Crack overdose symptoms include:
- Intense agitation or paranoia
- Chest pain or heart attack
- Hyperthermia (elevated body temperature)
- Extreme confusion or delirium
- Uncontrollable shaking or tremors
These symptoms can be severe and life-threatening, requiring immediate medical attention.
GETTING HELP
Can crack cocaine addiction be treated?
Recovery is always possible for anyone struggling with crack cocaine addiction.
Treatment plans involve detoxification along with different types of behavioural therapy looking at the root causes of addiction as well as coping mechanisms for moving forward to sustained sobriety. Success rates for rehabilitation can vary, but at Providence Projects, our addiction treatment outcomes are outstanding.
100%
Client satisfaction with our service
95%
Complete their detox programme
92%
Complete their treatment programme
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Resources for crack cocaine addiction
NHS
Provides information on addiction treatment services available through the National Health Service.
Frank
Offers confidential advice and information about drugs, including crack cocaine. You can visit their website at Talk to Frank or call their helpline at 0300 123 6600.
We Are With You
A leading UK charity providing support and advice for people struggling with drug addiction. They provide a wide range of free and confidential services for adults and young people, including harm reduction, detoxification, and rehabilitation programmes.
Turning Point
Established in 1964, Turning Point offers a wide range of support services aimed at helping individuals make positive changes in their lives. These include drug treatment and rehabilitation services.
Release
Release is the oldest independent drugs charity in the world and offers a variety of services aimed at reducing the harms associated with drug use. They provide legal advice and support for drug users, including information on treatment options.
Take action against crack cocaine addiction
Understanding the prevalence and impact of crack cocaine is just the first step. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it’s crucial to seek help. At Providence Projects, our treatment plans provide the support, care, and tools you need to find freedom from addiction.
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