Crack
Nicknames:
Base, freebase, pebbles, rock, scud, stone, wash, etc.
What does it look like?
Crack is cocaine that has been processed and can be 80-100% pure cocaine, much higher and therefore more dangerous than street cocaine. Crack normally comes as crystals that look like small rocks. Some of the pieces look like grains of sand. They vary in colour from pale yellow to pink, or white.
The highs:
Smoking crack takes the drug straight to your brain in seconds, making it have a short-lived effect, lasting for a maximum of 15 minutes. It gives you an intense euphoria, and a great surge of energy. You can also get an incredible sense of well-being and power.
The lows:
Because the high is so fierce, so too is the comedown. You can get the shakes and twitch uncontrollably, shiver as if you're in a freezer, feel very tired and depressed, and your head and body will ache. You will feel paranoid, irritable and aggressive. These effects can last for days, making you feel desperate for more of the drug to take you back up again.
The law:
Crack like cocaine is a Class A drug, making it illegal to have, sell or give to your friends. (See Drugs - The Law for more information).
Contacts
The contacts database contains details of organisations that may be able to offer information or assistance on this issue.
Search the database »
Other drugs:
- alcohol
- amphetamines
- anabolic steroids
- cannabis
- cocaine
- crack
- ecstasy
- GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate)
- heroin
- ketamine
- khat
- LSD
- mushrooms
- poppers
- rohypnol
- solvents
- tobacco
- tranquillisers
Reproduced with kind permission of NHS Direct Wales - www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/theroom
