Muse Treatment: The Dangers of Freebasing Cocaine: Understanding the Risks

Freebasing is a method that enhances the potency of a substance, most commonly associated with cocaine. Due to its chemical makeup, cocaine cannot be heated and smoked in its standard form. Freebase cocaine involves a chemical process where cocaine hydrochloride is converted into its freebase form, which is a pure and more potent version of the drug that can be smoked. This method allows for quick absorption into the bloodstream through the lungs, resulting in a powerful and immediate high. Moreover, the freebase form of cocaine is lipid-soluble, which aids its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, intensifying the high experienced.

When individuals freebase cocaine, they are smoking its pure form, which poses significant and immediate health risks due to its elevated potency. The immediate, short-term effects include rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, rise in body temperature, a surge of energy, and irregular heartbeat. These effects of cocaine use typically last around 30 minutes, prompting users to seek more cocaine to sustain the experience, often leading to a cycle of repeated use. Those who engage in freebasing may also encounter extreme euphoria followed by intense feelings of dysphoria. Symptoms such as paranoia, anxiety, and hallucinations can occur. The likelihood of an overdose is considerably heightened with freebasing due to the drug’s concentrated nature and the swift onset of its effects. Long-term effects of repeated freebase cocaine use include dependence, addiction, cardiovascular issues, lung damage, and mental health issues.

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Is Freebase Cocaine the Same as Smoking Crack?

Crack cocaine and freebase cocaine are similar but not exactly the same. Both involve forms of cocaine that are processed to be smoked, but they differ in how they are prepared and their chemical structure. Healthline notes that the terms “freebasing” and “smoking crack” are often used interchangeably, as both forms involve a process to separate hydrochloride found in powder cocaine.

Crack cocaine is made by combining cocaine powder with baking soda and heated until the drug hardens, which results in crystal rocks that can be smoked in a pipe. In contrast, cocaine that is freebased strips hydrochloride by using a base and solvent, which can be ammonia and ether. This results in cocaine separate from the hydrochloride, essentially “freeing the base” and only pure cocaine is left. While both forms are dangerous, cocaine can be even more so due to the potentially flammable ingredients used. Crack cocaine is considered more accessible because it is cheaper to produce and sell, and delivers an intense high when smoked, similar to freebase cocaine.

What Are the Side Effects of Freebase Cocaine?

Freebase cocaine is cocaine that has been freed from its additive, leaving a pure form of the drug which is a central nervous system stimulant. In this solid, crystal form, cocaine has a low melting point, making it optimal for smoking. Whenever a substance is smoked, the effects are more immediate and intense. Once the vapors are inhaled, the effects are felt within seconds. The experience of freebasing cocaine shares many short-term effects with snorting the drug but is often more pronounced, including:

Euphoria
Increased energy
Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
Hypersensitivity to sound, sight, and touch
Mental alertness
Irritability
Paranoia
Raised body temperature
Intense sweating
Dilated pupils
Nausea
Decreased appetite

Additionally, because cocaine that is freebased is smoked, users can experience acute respiratory issues such as coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath. The quick rush lasts about 30 minutes, followed by an intense come-down which includes anxiety, depression, fatigue, irritability, and paranoia. While some individuals may find this harsh aftereffect discouraging enough to stop using, others may continue to chase the powerful high, risking the development of an addiction to cocaine. Those who become dependent may find themselves using the drug to stave off withdrawal symptoms.

risks of freebasing cocaine

What Are the Health Risks of Freebase Cocaine?

When smoked, freebase cocaine reaches the brain much faster than powder cocaine that is snorted, as it travels directly to the lungs, enters the bloodstream, and then impacts the brain. In contrast, snorted cocaine takes a longer route to achieve the same effect. This rapid delivery of cocaine that is freebased can lead to intense euphoric sensations, with the risk of overdose occurring in less than a minute after use. Overdosing can trigger severe consequences such as seizures, cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, or stroke, any of which can be fatal. Even if an overdose does not result in death, it can still cause lasting brain damage and neurological issues.

There are numerous short-term and long-term effects associated with freebasing cocaine, particularly concerning the cardiovascular system, as it acts as a stimulant. Smoking cocaine that is freebased leads to a swift rise in heart rate and blood pressure, which can result in arrhythmias, heart attacks, strokes, and even sudden death. Prolonged use can harm the heart, potentially causing cardiomyopathy, a condition characterized by an enlarged and weakened heart.

Cocaine use overall can contribute to various mental health challenges, including anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and aggressive behavior. Long-term use may lead to psychosis, cognitive decline, and mental health disorders such as major depressive disorder. Unlike snorting cocaine, cocaine that is freebased can inflict direct damage to the lungs, resulting in chronic respiratory problems like chronic bronchitis and lung infections. In severe cases, lung damage can be significant enough to cause life-threatening respiratory failure. A study published in the Journal of Addictive Diseases highlighted that heavy use of cocaine that is freebased was associated with frequent respiratory issues, including coughing, chest pain, and black sputum, as well as blockages in the large airways that hinder airflow.

How Addictive Is Freebase Cocaine?

Cocaine, in general, is highly addictive, however, a study published in the National Library of Medicine from the University of Minnesota’s Department of Psychiatry found that there is a greater potential for abuse, dependence, and severe consequences when cocaine is smoked or used intravenously compared to intranasal use. Cocaine that is freebased is highly addictive due to the intense, immediate high it produces. Cocaine increases dopamine levels in the brain, which are associated with pleasure and reward. The rapid onset and short duration of the high often lead users to seek the drug to prolong the effects repeatedly.

Prolonged freebase cocaine abuse can result in users building tolerance and dependence as over time the brain can become reliant on the drug to release dopamine, leading to cravings and withdrawal when not using the drug. Withdrawal symptoms of cocaine that are freebased include fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and intense cravings, which make it difficult to quit. Moreover, addiction causes physical changes to the brain and its circuits, affecting self-control, the ability to feel pleasure, and function normally, making it difficult to stop using substances even when wanting to.

Get Help With Freebase Cocaine Addiction at Muse Treatment

Overcoming freebase cocaine addiction can be an overwhelming challenge, especially without the support of professionals. At Muse Treatment, we offer comprehensive treatment programs that target the underlying issues of addiction through evidence-based addiction therapies. Our goal is to empower patients with effective coping mechanisms for sustainable recovery. Each personalized treatment plan starts with an in-depth evaluation conducted by our experienced team, who are dedicated to understanding your specific battles with addiction. We also provide medically supervised detox as an essential first step, ensuring a smoother withdrawal experience and laying a strong foundation for your recovery journey.

If you or a loved one is facing the challenges of cocaine addiction, reach out to Muse Treatment in Los Angeles at 800-426-1818 to discover more about our addiction treatment process.