Does Crack Make You Hallucinate?

Various substances can induce hallucinations, and stimulants are among them. Cocaine, derived from the coca plant native to South America, is a potent and highly addictive stimulant. Crack cocaine, a solid form of powdered cocaine, is created by compressing the powder, allowing it to be smoked. When users heat the crack rock and inhale its vapor, they experience a quicker and more intense euphoric effect compared to powdered cocaine. Both forms of cocaine carry a high risk of addiction and can lead to severe, sometimes life-threatening health issues. The effects of crack cocaine are particularly intense, often resulting in rapid heart rates, erratic and manic behavior, and heightened alertness that can lead to paranoia. These symptoms can mimic psychosis, raising the question: does crack make you hallucinate?

The short answer is yes, crack cocaine can indeed lead to hallucinations. A study published in the National Library of Medicine highlights that cocaine is an addictive substance associated with various psychiatric symptoms, including agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, and even violent or suicidal thoughts. These symptoms may arise directly from the drug’s impact or as a result of worsening an existing mental health condition.

Hallucinations are just one of the many dangerous side effects of crack that a person can experience. Its addictive nature can quickly lead to a substance use disorder (SUD) after only a few uses. The long-term consequences of crack addiction can severely affect an individual’s physical, mental, social, and financial well-being. Among the most critical short-term dangers is the risk of overdose, which can result in brain damage, physical disability, or even death.

What Is a Substance That Induces Hallucinations?

Substances that induce hallucinations are referred to as hallucinogens, which are a category of drugs that significantly change an individual’s perception. As noted by the Cleveland Clinic, these psychedelics not only modify perceptions but also influence thoughts and emotions. Some hallucinogens, like LSD, are synthetic, while others, such as psilocybin found in magic mushrooms, occur naturally in certain plants. Additionally, some prescription medications can produce hallucinatory effects as a side effect.

Hallucinations themselves are experiences where individuals perceive sensations and images that are not real. This can manifest as seeing, hearing, smelling, or feeling things that do not exist. Certain hallucinogens can lead to feelings of disconnection from one’s body or surroundings, with users often seeking these experiences through substances like magic mushrooms and peyote.

Other drugs that are not classified as psychedelics but can induce hallucinations include opioids, amphetamines, and cocaine. The hallucinations from these substances are typically a result of drug-induced psychosis, which can be quite alarming. For instance, prolonged crack cocaine use can escalate psychiatric symptoms, leading to cocaine psychosis, where individuals may lose touch with reality and complicate recovery further.

Moreover, substance abuse can exacerbate or trigger mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia, which is characterized by hallucinations. Drugs like crack cocaine alter brain chemistry, affecting areas associated with mood, anxiety, and cognition, potentially leading to mental health challenges, including psychosis. While excessive drug use can provoke a psychotic episode, the exact causes of schizophrenia remain unclear, though research suggests that genetics and individual brain chemistry may contribute to its development.

 

What Causes Drug-Induced Hallucinations?

Psychedelics such as LSD and peyote have a profound impact on the brain by disrupting its usual communication channels, particularly by strongly activating serotonin receptors. These channels are responsible for how we perceive and integrate sensory information, leading hallucinogens to create distorted and altered sensory experiences, often resulting in vivid hallucinations. Essentially, the brain starts to generate signals not rooted in the external world, making users perceive sights and sounds that do not exist.

Hallucinations and psychosis induced by substances typically arise from excessive consumption of a drug, pushing the toxicity levels to a point where paranoia and psychotic episodes can occur. Furthermore, drug-induced psychosis may exacerbate existing mental health conditions linked to substance abuse. Even after stopping crack use, mental health challenges, including psychosis, can persist. Crack addiction treatment programs often offer dual diagnosis treatment, as co-occurring disorders like anxiety, depression, and psychosis are often present alongside substance use disorders. These programs are designed to address both mental health issues and substance use disorders concurrently, often incorporating behavioral therapy and medication management. Additionally, some individuals may experience hallucinations during withdrawal from drugs.

What Is the Most Common Thing to Hallucinate?

The most prevalent type of hallucination is auditory, with many individuals reporting the experience of hearing voices when no one is around. Other forms of auditory hallucinations can include sounds like footsteps or music. When it comes to cocaine use, hallucinations can affect all five senses, making it challenging to distinguish between reality and illusion, as every sense may suggest something is genuinely happening. This blurring of reality can lead to dangerous situations; for instance, a person might disregard traffic signals while being absorbed in a hallucination. In severe instances, users may encounter tactile hallucinations known as “coke bugs,” where they feel as if insects or worms are crawling beneath their skin. This sensation can be so convincing that it drives individuals to inflict self-harm, resulting in deep scratches that bleed and leave scars.

 

 

What Is the First Stage of Hallucination?

The initial phase of hallucination is referred to as the “prodromal” stage, characterized by subtle shifts in perception. Individuals may find it challenging to concentrate, become more sensitive to external stimuli, and encounter odd or unusual thoughts. These alterations occur before the onset of a full-blown hallucination. Cocaine-induced psychosis often starts with heightened feelings of suspicion and paranoia, with as many as 84% of cocaine users experiencing paranoia related to the drug. Often, cocaine paranoia presents as feelings that someone is conspiring against them or they’re being watched. With continued use of crack cocaine, these feelings of suspicion can escalate into paranoid delusions, hallucinations, aggressive behavior, and violent thoughts or actions. Ultimately, the individual may develop cocaine psychosis, which occurs when excessive dopamine is released in the brain, distorting their perception of reality.

WhiteSands Treatment Can Help Treat Crack-Induced Hallucinations and Addictions 

Does crack make you hallucinate? Absolutely, and the experience can be frightening for the individual and their family and friends. If you notice the signs of crack use in someone you know, it’s crucial to encourage them to seek professional assistance. The impact of crack cocaine can be devastating, affecting every aspect of a person’s life, particularly their mental well-being, which may lead to psychosis. Early intervention in stopping crack use can significantly reduce the risk of developing drug-induced psychosis. While some hallucinations and psychotic symptoms may resolve on their own, others can be quite severe.

WhiteSands Treatment provides dual diagnosis programs that address both crack addiction and mental health issues concurrently. Our thorough addiction treatment plans for crack incorporate a blend of evidence-based behavioral therapies and medication management to tackle co-occurring disorders. We also offer inpatient medical detox, where patients receive 24/7 monitoring in a safe environment. Crack cocaine withdrawal can be intense, often including hallucinations, but our medical detox services can administer antipsychotics and other medications to alleviate these symptoms, all under the care of experienced doctors and nurses.

If you or a loved one is facing challenges with crack addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today at 877-855-3470 to get started with treatment as soon as possible.

External Sources

• National Library of Medicine – Cocaine and Psychiatric Symptoms 
• Cleveland Clinic – Hallucinogens: LSD, Peyote, Psilocybin, PCP & Others 
• GoodRx – What is Drug-Induced Psychosis? 

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.