Can You Snort Crack? Effects & Dangers

Read more on how some individuals believe that snorting crack cocaine is less dangerous and addictive than smoking it, so they choose to do so. It is referred to as insufflation.


Can You Snort Crack?

Crack cocaine, an illegal stimulant drug derived from the coca plant in South America, is the precursor to crack cocaine. In the United States, the abuse of crack cocaine has spread to be a significant issue. Despite the adverse effects, many young people have tried using crack and cocaine to get high.

People frequently query how crack is used as they gain more knowledge about crack addiction. Is it possible, for instance, to snort crack? You can snort crack. That’s true. Crack cocaine use, however, rarely involves snorting it.

Side Effects Of Snorting Crack

The body must also adjust by controlling body temperature and hormonal release, but this process can be excruciating, severe, and even fatal.

As the withdrawal symptoms manifest, crack cocaine addiction can cause various adverse side effects, including cocaine-induced psychosis and other mental health issues.

Numerous pulmonary and other respiratory side effects, such as cocaine-induced lung infections, nasal damage, asthma, and more, are also brought on by snorting crack.

Snorting crack cocaine has additional adverse effects, including:

pupils that are dilated and sensitive to light and sound

  • septum injury
  • runny noses, nosebleeds, and nasal tissue damage
  • extreme and undesirable weight loss

Why Do People Snort Crack Cocaine?

Some individuals believe that snorting crack cocaine is less dangerous and addictive than smoking it, so they choose to do so. It is referred to as insufflation.

It is not necessarily any safer than the traditional method of consuming crack cocaine by smoking, though it can still be very addictive.

Effects Are More Durable Than Smoking
Due to how long it takes for crack cocaine to enter the body and start affecting the brain, snorting it can lessen the immediate euphoric effects.

However, compared to other ways of abusing crack cocaine, the overall effects might last longer.

The fallacy that it is safer than smoking
Simply put, snorting crack cocaine is no less dangerous than smoking it. Despite not having the same lung-damaging effects as smoking, it still poses several health risks.

For instance, in addition to the same risk of addiction, smoking crack cocaine can facilitate uncommon cardiovascular issues.

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Crack Cocaine User Statistics

Learn about crack cocaine addiction statistics in the U.S., from the demographics and age groups affected, to overdose and recovery rates.


An average of 252 people aged 12 and older used crack cocaine for the first time every day.

Source: SAMHSA

In 2019, 778,000 people aged 12 and older reported using crack cocaine in the past year.

Source: SAMHSA

In 2020, roughly 16,000 people died from a cocaine overdose.

Source: NIDA


Crack Cocaine Drug Facts

What is Crack Cocaine?

Crack cocaine is a highly addictive and powerful stimulant derived from powdered cocaine using a simple conversion process. Crack emerged as a drug of abuse in the mid-1980s. It is abused because it produces an immediate high and because it is easy and inexpensive to produce–rendering it readily available and affordable.


How is it Produced?

Crack is produced by dissolving powdered cocaine in a mixture of water, ammonia, or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). The mixture is boiled until a solid substance forms. The solid is removed from the liquid, dried, broken into chunks (rocks) and sold as crack cocaine.


What Does it Look Like?

Crack typically is available as rocks. Crack rocks are white (or off-white) and vary in size and shape.


How is Crack Abused?

Crack is nearly always smoked. Smoking crack cocaine delivers large quantities of the drug to the lungs, producing an immediate and intense euphoric effect.


Is Crack Cocaine Illegal?

Yes, crack cocaine is illegal. Crack cocaine is a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule II drugs, which include PCP and methamphetamine, have a high potential for abuse. Abuse of these drugs may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

How is Crack Abused?

Crack is nearly always smoked. Smoking crack cocaine delivers large quantities of the drug to the lungs, producing an immediate and intense euphoric effect.

Cocaine Short Term Effects of Cocaine

  • Extreme happiness and energy
  • Mental alertness
  • Hypersensitivity to sight, sound, and touch
  • Irritability
  • Paranoia—extreme and unreasonable distrust of others

What are the Risks?

Cocaine, in any form, is a powerfully addictive drug, and addiction seems to develop more quickly when the drug is smoked–as crack is–than snorted–as powdered cocaine typically is.

In addition to the usual risks associated with cocaine use (constricted blood vessels; increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; and risk of cardiac arrest and seizure), crack users may experience acute respiratory problems, including coughing, shortness of breath, and lung trauma and bleeding. Crack cocaine smoking also can cause aggressive and paranoid behavior.

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Is it possible, for instance, to snort crack? You can snort crack. That's true. Crack cocaine use, however, rarely involves snorting it.
Is it possible, for instance, to snort crack? You can snort crack. That’s true. Crack cocaine use, however, rarely involves snorting it.

How Do You Snort Crack?

Understanding why your loved one might snort crack and being aware of the dangers of cocaine insufflation are crucial if you share a home with an addict. Instead of being snorted, crack cocaine is nearly always smoked. There are a few reasons why people might decide to snort crack cocaine rather than smoke it.

Availability of drugs
Some people addicted to cocaine or any other type of drug may have preferred ways to use it. For instance, some people might favor smoking crack because it gives off a solid high. On the other hand, some people might tend to snort to avoid lung-related side effects. However, crack cocaine is frequently more widely accessible than powder cocaine, making it potentially easier to obtain.

Crack cocaine accessories
Different forms of crack cocaine paraphernalia are needed for different ways of abusing the drug. For instance, glass pipes are frequently used by crack smokers. However, when people have intense drug cravings and cannot access their usual drug paraphernalia, they may search for alternative drug use strategies.

Even though the high from snorting crushed crack cocaine is not as strong as the high from smoking, it is still a relatively easy way to experience the effects of cocaine. While smoking crack necessitates several specialized items, snorting damage only needs a few items commonly found in homes. All required is a straw, a flat object with a flat edge, a smooth surface, and something to crush the drug.

Powder Cocaine Sold As Crushed Crack
When someone buys illegal drugs, they cannot know what fillers and contaminants have been added. Drug dealers frequently add extra ingredients to their drugs so they can sell more of them.

Due to the presence of baking soda, crack cocaine is frequently less expensive than powder cocaine. Pre-crushed crack cocaine might be marketed as powder cocaine to increase the dealer’s profit margin. In this scenario, the crack purchaser might snort it without realizing what kind of drug they are taking.

How Do You Sniff Crack and What Are The Health Risks?

Snorting cocaine may result in a faster heartbeat, a possible cocaine overdose, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of a heart attack. Like substance abuse from opioids and other drugs, crack addiction has some health risks, such as intense cravings and other withdrawal symptoms.

These withdrawal symptoms have been linked to sudden death, psychosis, behavioral changes, mental health issues, and even psychosis. It can also harm the blood vessels, resulting in hepatitis, an infection, and liver inflammation.

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Can You Sniff Crack and the Risk of Overdosing

The risk of overdose exists when snorting cocaine, whether in rock or powder form. In addition, due to the delayed euphoric effects of cocaine, some users of crack cocaine might mistakenly think that they are reducing its addictive properties.

The quality of “street rock” means that many samples might contain additional drugs like fentanyl. This might imply that crack cocaine snorters are more likely to overdose. Additionally, when snorting crack cocaine, the drug’s effects take longer to manifest. Therefore, those who believe they have not taken a sufficient dose may continue taking more.

When Can You Snort Crack Cocaine?

The majority of the time, powder cocaine is used when someone snorts cocaine. Due to its high melting point and low vapor production, cocaine cannot be smoked in powder form.

Powder cocaine cannot be smoked, so other methods are required. Cocaine insufflation, or snorting, is one of the most common. It is possible to snort crack cocaine if it has first been ground back into a powder.

  1. Who Snort Crack?

    Individuals of all ages use crack cocaine–data reported in the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse indicate that an estimated 6,222,000 U.S. residents aged 12 and older used crack at least once in their lifetime.

  2. What Are The Risks of Snorting Crack?

    Cocaine, in any form, is a powerfully addictive drug, and addiction seems to develop more quickly when the drug is smoked–as the crack is–than snorted–as powdered cocaine typically is.
    In addition to the usual risks associated with cocaine use (constricted blood vessels; increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; and risk of cardiac arrest and seizure), crack users may experience acute respiratory problems, including coughing, shortness of breath, and lung trauma and bleeding. Crack cocaine smoking also can cause aggressive and paranoid behavior.

  3. What Are The Dangers Associated With Snorting Crack?

    Cocaine presents the risk of addiction and overdose, and cocaine addiction is devastating physically, emotionally, and financially.  Like any other drug, cocaine impairs judgment and does lead to risky behavior such as unprotected sex and exchanging dirty needs through intravenous drug use. 

    The use of cocaine also weakens the immune system, which causes drug users to become more susceptible to HIV or hepatitis infection

  4. How Long Do The Effects of Snorting Crack Last?

    Cocaine “high” can affect individuals differently. However, generally, a high begins almost immediately and can last up to a few hours. It may sound simple, but a lot is happening behind the scenes. Once someone ingests cocaine, whether, by snorting, smoking, or intravenously, it instantly affects the brain. Cocaine disrupts the brain’s normal communication between neurons. Therefore, this causes a surge of the “feel-good” chemicals, such as dopamine and serotonin.

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Crack Cocaine Treatment

First and foremost, if you think a loved one is abusing cocaine, you should first research the drug and addiction associated with it to understand better what your loved one needs. Next, you must plan an intervention to provide your loved ones with options to battle their addiction in a safe and supportive environment. During this intervention, offer compassion and support instead of judgment. Lastly, offer your support throughout the entire treatment process.

In addition, prolonged Cocaine use can have severe physical and psychological effects, so it is essential to seek treatment as soon as possible. Inpatient drug rehab offers intensive care that can help you promptly get through the early stages of withdrawal. There are several myths about cocaine and other drugs so that you might wonder, is cocaine a stimulant or depressant? And what are cocaine’s effects on the brain?

Medically-Assisted Detox

Medical detox is often considered the first stage of treatment. It will help you navigate the complicated withdrawal process but doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior contributing to drug use. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete detox.

Cravings are very common during detox for cocaine and can be challenging to overcome. This often leads to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment helps prevent relapse. Clinicians can offer the necessary medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and the effects of withdrawals.

Psychotherapy 

Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of mental health disorders along with addiction, including:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – is an effective treatment that involves changing both the patterns of negative thoughts and the behavioral routines which are affecting the daily life of the depressed person for various forms of depression.
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy – is a comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program whose ultimate goal is to aid patients in their efforts to build a life worth living. The main goal of DBT is to help a person develop what is referred to as a “clear mind.” 
  • Solution Focused Therapy – is an approach interested in solutions that can be quickly implemented with a simple first step leading to further positive consequences.
No matter what, when dealing with cocaine addiction problems, the care and supervision of a medical professional are necessary.
No matter what, when dealing with cocaine addiction problems, the care and supervision of a medical professional are necessary.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Drug abuse and mental health disorders often co-occur. In many cases, traumatic experiences can result in a mental health disorders and substance abuse. Dual diagnosis rehabilitation treats both of these issues together. The best approach for the treatment of dual diagnosis is an integrated system. This strategy treats both the substance abuse problem and the mental disorder simultaneously. Regardless of which diagnosis (mental health or substance abuse problem) came first, long-term recovery will depend largely on the treatment for both disorders done by the same team or provider.

Medication-Assisted Treatments

Medication-Assisted Treatments (MAT) for substance use and mental health disorders are commonly used in conjunction with one another. This includes the use of medications and other medical procedures. During your rehab, the staff from your treatment facility will help you identify what caused your addiction and teach you skills that will help you change your behavior patterns and challenge the negative thoughts that led to your addiction. Sometimes, the pressures and problems in your life lead you to rely on substances to help you forget about them momentarily.

“How to get cocaine out of your system?” is a question that many abusers of the drug may have. Our counselors know what you are going through and will answer any of your questions. Please, do not try to detox on your own. The detox process can be painful and difficult without medical assistance. However, getting through the detox process is crucial for continued treatment. We Level Up provide proper care with round-the-clock medical staff to assist your recovery medically. So, reclaim your life, and call us to speak with one of our treatment specialists.

PJ O’Brien Got His Life Back From Crack Addiction & Now Has A Loving Wife & Child During Sobriety Video

PJ O’Brien’s Addiction Recovery Story and Testimonial Video

“My name is PJ O’Brien.

I’m originally from Long Island, New York.

I have clean two years on October 4 of 2019.

My bottom was me smoking crack and eating chicken wings out of a dumpster for a month before I decided to get help from desperation for recovery.

Every day, you know, try to help out newcomers. I run a home group. I go to meetings every day and just never forget my worst days.

Got my life back. I got married, have a beautiful wife, and we just had our first child on August 31 that just passed.”

Does Addiction Rehab Work?

The success of treatment can vary from person to person, but longer stays in treatment frequently lead to better outcomes. Long-term rehabilitation is rarely aided by detox alone. Is treatment effective? Compared to not attending treatment, attending treatment boosts a person’s chances of long-term recovery.

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Sources:

[1] Perrenoud LO, Oikawa KF, Williams AV, Laranjeira R, Fischer B, Strang J, Ribeiro M. Factors associated with crack-cocaine early initiation: a Brazilian multicenter study. BMC Public Health. 2021 Apr 23;21(1):781. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-10769-x. PMID: 33892673; PMCID: PMC8063477.

[2] Hoff AL, Riordan H, Morris L, Cestaro V, Wieneke M, Alpert R, Wang GJ, Volkow N. Effects of crack cocaine on neurocognitive function. Psychiatry Res. 1996 Mar 29;60(2-3):167-76. doi: 10.1016/0165-1781(96)02758-8. PMID: 8723307.

[3] NIDA. 2021, October 5. How is cocaine used?. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/how-cocaine-used on 2022, November 28

[4] NIDA. 2021, July 9. What are the long-term effects of cocaine use?. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-are-long-term-effects-cocaine-use on 2022, November 28

[5] National Library of Medicine. (2014). CocaineRetrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/cocaine.html on 2022, November 28