What is the Difference Between Crack and Meth?

When comparing crack cocaine and methamphetamine, the two substances do have similarities, such as their addictiveness and stimulating effects. Both are linked to serious health risks as well, but they originate from different substances. They also affect the brain and body a little differently from one another.

This article explores the differences between crack and meth. You will learn:

• What crack cocaine is
• The side effects of meth
• How crack and meth are similar
• The key differences between the two

What is Crack?

Crack is a strong form of cocaine.

It’s created when cocaine hydrochloride is processed into a substance that’s solid and can be smoked.

The name comes from the distinct crackling sound it makes when heated. The high from crack cocaine is not only intense but essentially immediate. These properties make it incredibly addictive.

When someone smokes crack, it rapidly enters their bloodstream through the lungs. It then reaches the brain in seconds, triggering large dopamine amounts. A surge in dopamine is linked to pleasure and reward and the euphoric high of the drug.

Crack is often smoked in a glass pipe but can also be heated on foil and inhaled through a straw.

Crack’s effects are short-lived, however. Effects typically only last 5 to 15 minutes, contributing to repeated use in a short time window.

In the short term, the effects of crack can include:

• Intense euphoria.
• Increased energy.
• Feelings of invincibility.
• Heightened alertness.
• Paranoia.
• Anxiety.
• Restlessness.
• Irritability.

Long-term effects of chronic crack use can include severe health problems like:

• Respiratory problems.
• Heart complications.
• Neurological damage.
• Mental health problems like depression, anxiety and hallucinations.

What Is Meth?

Methamphetamine, more often just known as meth, is also a stimulant drug also with a high potential for addiction.

With a chemical structure similar to amphetamine, meth affects the central nervous system. It’s usually found as a white, odorless crystalline powder or sometimes as blue-white crystals.

When someone takes meth, it increases levels of dopamine in the brain. With high levels of the dopamine being released, meth increases body movement and mood. The effects of meth are very intense compared to a lot of other stimulants and can last longer—often several hours.

The reason for the prolonged effects of meth is its ability to prevent dopamine from breaking down. The neurotransmitter can stay at continuously elevated levels.

In the short-term, meth effects include:

• Rapid and intense euphoric rush.
• Increased wakefulness.
• Increased activity.
• Elevated body temperature.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Increased blood pressure.
• Rapid heart rate.

Prolonged or long-term meth use can cause:

• Severe dental problems known as meth mouth.
• Extreme weight loss.
• Skin sores.
• Increased risk of infections.
• Mental health issues.
• Confusion.
• Violent behavior.
• Cognitive deficits and memory loss.
• An inability to experience pleasure.

Meth can be used in several ways. Similar to smoking crack, it can be smoked in a glass pipe. It can be snorted, injected, or taken orally.

Crack vs. Meth: The Similarities

Both crack and meth stimulate the central nervous system, meaning they increase its activities. They can increase blood pressure, energy levels and heart rate. They can induce feelings of euphoria and raise alertness.

When comparing crack vs. meth, both also share in common a high potential for addiction because they intensely and rapidly affect the reward system in the brain. The quick onset of effects leads to users seeking repeated doses, and that contributes to addiction and dependency.

Other similarities between crack and meth can include:

• Short-term effects can be negative and include anxiety, irritability and paranoia.
• Both can be smoked, and that leads to their rapid absorption in the bloodstream and fast effects. They can also both be snorted or injected.
• Chronic use of either drug can lead to serious mental and physical health risks.
• Both drugs increase the risk of being involved in risky activities, leading to further health complications.

What’s the Difference Between Crack and Meth?

There are a couple of ways that crack and meth are also different from one another.

For example, one difference between crack and meth is the duration of effects.

Crack has intense but short-lived effects lasting from 5-15 minutes typically. Meth’s effects are longer lasting.

Crack mostly increases the dopamine in the brain because it prevents its reuptake. Meth also increases dopamine but in a slightly different way. It increases dopamine’s release and blocks its reuptake, which means there are sustained elevations of the neurotransmitter in the brain, contributing to the drug’s longer-lasting effects.

A few other differences when comparing crack vs. meth include:

• Crack is usually found as a solid rock, while meth is a powder or solid crystal.
• With meth, because of the longer-lasting effects, it can lead to extended binges.
• Long-term crack use is most associated with heart and respiratory problems. Chronic meth use is linked with dental issues, skin sores, and significant cognitive impairments.
• Crack is most often associated with urban areas, while meth use is more common in rural and suburban areas.

Both crack and meth are incredibly dangerous and addictive. Still, meth is, in some cases, seen as more dangerous because of its longer-lasting effects and potential for severe physical and cognitive damage. Meth can also lead to prolonged psychosis. The impacts of meth on the brain and body can be more devastating over time.

Addiction Treatment for Crack vs. Meth

The treatment strategies for both of these drugs can be similar. The first step to treat addiction to either is often a supervised detox to ensure withdrawal symptoms are managed safely.

From there, a person might begin inpatient or outpatient rehab, focusing on behavioral therapies and developing coping skills.

An inpatient program is structured and residential with intensive support and care. Outpatient programs let individuals receive treatment while they live at home, which can work well for someone with less severe addiction and a strong support system.

Many people with crack or meth addictions also have co-occurring mental disorders. Dual diagnosis treatment takes an integrated, comprehensive approach to treat both addiction and psychiatric issues at the same time.

Struggling with crack or meth addiction has enormous challenges, but with the right treatment and support, recovery is possible. We encourage you to reach out to our team at New You Sober Living if you or someone you care about is dealing with an addiction to crack, meth or any other substance.

References:

1. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Cocaine
2. National Institute of Health: Health outcomes associated with crack-cocaine use: Systematic review and meta-analyses
3. Harm Reduction Journal: A cultural and political difference: comparing the racial and social framing of population crack cocaine use between the United States and France
4. DEA: Methamphetamine
5. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): What is methamphetamine?
6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Know the Risks of Meth