Crack cocaine is a powerful and highly addictive drug that can have serious consequences for those who use it. However, if you have made the decision to use crack, it is important to know how to do so safely and responsibly. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to shoot crack, including the necessary equipment, preparation, and techniques.
What Is Cocaine?
Equipment Needed
Service providers can give education on how to prepare powder or crack cocaine for injection by sharing the following steps and information. In order to crackle once heated, crack cocaine must come in rock or chunk form. To do this, cocaine powder is combined with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and heated until the drug hardens. Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that directly affects the brain. Cocaine has been labeled the drug of the 1980s and ’90s, because of its extensive popularity and use during this period. The pure chemical, cocaine hydrochloride, has been an abused substance for more than 100 years, and coca leaves, the source of cocaine, have been ingested for thousands of years.
To shoot crack, you will need the following equipment:
Important Info About Safer Use Of Powder Or Crack Cocaine
Because the high they experience is so pleasurable — and so short — they need more of the drug to maintain it. Eventually, an addiction is born; the user needs the drug to simply feel normal. Someone who has overdosed may exhibit anxiety, aggression, seizures, rapid heart rate, chest pain, nausea, hallucinations, and/or stroke. Additionally, those with kidney problems or high blood pressure have a higher risk of fatal complications caused by smoking Crack Cocaine. As an illicit substance, any use of Crack Cocaine is considered abuse. Because it is smoked (rather than snorted through the nose), the drug reaches the brain more quickly and produces an intense and immediate high.
- Crack cocaine: This is the primary ingredient and will come in the form of rocks or chunks.
- Pipe: A small glass pipe, usually around 4-6 inches long, is used to heat the crack and inhale the smoke.
- Lighter: A regular lighter will suffice, but a torch lighter can provide a more consistent flame.
- Filter: A small piece of steel wool or a glass filter is used to catch any debris and prevent it from entering the pipe or mouth.
- Needle: A clean, sterilized needle is used to inject the crack into a vein.
- Cotton: A small piece of cotton is used to filter the crack before injection.
- Water: A small amount of water is used to dissolve the crack before injection.
PWID typically used household acids, such as lemon juice and vinegar, and purchased tubs of citric acid and vitamin C through pharmacies and home brew suppliers, where available. In 2000, retail access to citric acid and vitamin C declined markedly after the Pharmaceutical Journal published a letter from a pharmacist raising concerns about the legality of acidifier supply [4]. Agreements to protect against prosecution were sought and formalised in some localities [2, 3], with PWID increasingly using lemon and vinegar in others. The use of lemon juice in injection preparation can cause the fungal eye infection Candida endophthalmitis, with outbreaks documented among PWID in the 1980s and 1990s [5].
Warmth will open the capillaries and bring disease-fighting white blood cells to the affected area. Someone who prefers the injection form of substance use may find crack easier than other drugs, such as heroin, and end up injecting that instead. While smoking crack cocaine remains the most popular method for using this illicit drug, there are reasons why someone may inject crack cocaine, too. Collapsed veins are also a concern for individuals who inject cocaine. Infections of the heart valves or endocarditis are risk factors for those who use IV drugs, like cocaine. Swelling of the extremities is a common problem for those with long term IV cocaine use.
Also, chances are that if you’re shooting coke, you’ll be injecting many times in a short period of time with perhaps only several minutes between each injection. This can be traumatic on the veins and the surrounding tissues, and result in a lot of bleeding. Don’t apply creams, salves or oils you use to treat your track marks or bruising until the injection wound has begun to close (a couple of hours after injecting) otherwise you might cause an infection. Treat missed shots (those that ended up somewhere other than in your vein) immediately with a warm water soak or compress to reduce the likelihood of irritation and abscess formation.
Office Of Addiction Services And Supports
Preparation
Before shooting crack, it is important to properly prepare the equipment and substance. Follow these steps to ensure a safe and effective experience:
- Crush the crack into a fine powder using a small, flat surface and a hard object, such as a credit card or the back of a spoon.
- Place the filter at the end of the pipe, and pack the crushed crack on top of it.
- Heat the pipe using the lighter, being careful not to overheat it and cause the crack to vaporize too quickly.
- Inhale the smoke through the pipe, taking slow and steady breaths to maximize the effects.
- Dissolve a small amount of the crack powder in a small amount of water, using a clean needle to stir it until it is fully dissolved.
- Filter the solution through a piece of cotton, using the needle to push it through and remove any impurities.
- Find a vein, usually in the arm or leg, and inject the solution slowly and steadily.
Technique
Shooting crack requires a certain level of skill and technique to ensure a safe and effective experience. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- The more often people use crack, the more they crave it, and the harder it is to control their use.
- When you inject crack cocaine, you have to mix it with a weak acid to convert it into a soluble substance.
- It’s Not Your Fault (NACoA) (PDF
- Other long-term effects of cocaine use may include malnutrition and movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease.
- Understanding these differences can help individuals make informed decisions about drug use and seek appropriate treatment.
- Start with a small amount of crack, gradually increasing the dosage as you become more comfortable and experienced.
- Use a clean and sterilized needle for each injection, to reduce the risk of infection and other complications.
- Inject the solution slowly and steadily, being careful not to force it or inject too quickly.
- Rotate the injection sites, to avoid damaging the veins and tissues.
- Dispose of used needles and other equipment properly, to prevent the spread of disease and other risks.
In conclusion, shooting crack is a serious and potentially dangerous activity that should only be undertaken with caution and responsibility. By following the guidelines and tips in this article, you can minimize the risks and ensure a safe and effective experience. However, it is important to remember that crack cocaine is a highly addictive and dangerous drug, and that the best way to protect yourself and others is to avoid using it altogether.
