# Have you ever really KNOWN a crackhead? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 1, 2012, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472 "2012-05-01T01:36:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/201 "2013-02-12T15:11:37Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Drug addiction is not a disease. A disease happens to you. Drug addiction comes about by choice; it is self-inflicted. There is nothing in the definition of disease that says it can’t be self-inflicted. In fact, many conditions that are universally recognized as diseases are partially or totally self-inflicted as well including many cancers, some heart disease, and chronic conditions like liver problems or diabetes. ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/202 "2013-02-12T17:04:58Z")
I had a friend who tried crack once at around 16. He said he woke up the next day still craving it and he made the decision right there to never do that drug again. ---
**Author:** ![LisaJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/73ab20/32.png) [@LisaJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LisaJ)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/203 "2013-04-30T06:06:09Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > And it’s not simply that they turn to prostitution-other addicts do this as well; heroin, etc. What is different, and what makes other prostitutes look down on crackwhores (who are both men and women, make no mistake) is the demeaning, anything-goes whoring of one’s body for the tiniest bit of money or of the drug. They will do anything; with anybody. And for those who think they knew of someone who used crack but wasn’t “like that”; trust me: THEY WERE. You just didn’t know about it. Are you a recovered crack addict? You must be with all the knowledge you profess to have about how all crack addicts are “crackwhores”. But, just in case you speak with an uneducated tongue let me fill you in on a thing or two about being a crack addict. An addict does not wake up one day and say “I am going to become an addict and ruin my life”. In my case, and yes I am a recovered crack addict with 9 years clean this Sept. 2013, I had a nervous breakdown due to a very traumatic incident in my life. I tried crack to try to escape the pain I was in. From the very first time I tried crack I was hooked. I went on a three year trip from hell with my addiction. I lost everything: my children,my family,my home,my career,cars etc. I was a room mother for my children’s class at their school. I taught vacation bible school in the summer. I was the neighborhood mother that all the children wanted to come and play at my house with my children. During my addiction I NEVER sold myself for the drug. The thought of doing such a thing never entered my mind. I did ,however, lie to my family for a long time about my addiction because I was ashamed. I destroyed my family and escaped death numerous times during my 3 year addiction,but I survived by placing myself in rehab. Not everyone who has an addiction to crack is the same, so please don’t categorize us as the same. You should try talking to a crack addict and maybe then you can speak with an “educated” tongue. Just saying :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/204 "2013-04-30T06:13:19Z")
> [@LisaJ](#): > > Are you a recovered crack addict? You must be with all the knowledge you profess to have about how all crack addicts are “crackwhores”. But, just in case you speak with an uneducated tongue let me fill you in on a thing or two about being a crack addict. An addict does not wake up one day and say “I am going to become an addict and ruin my life”. In my case, and yes I am a recovered crack addict with 9 years clean this Sept. 2013, I had a nervous breakdown due to a very traumatic incident in my life. I tried crack to try to escape the pain I was in. From the very first time I tried crack I was hooked. I went on a three year trip from hell with my addiction. I lost everything: my children,my family,my home,my career,cars etc. I was a room mother for my children’s class at their school. I taught vacation bible school in the summer. I was the neighborhood mother that all the children wanted to come and play at my house with my children. During my addiction I NEVER sold myself for the drug. The thought of doing such a thing never entered my mind. I did ,however, lie to my family for a long time about my addiction because I was ashamed. I destroyed my family and escaped death numerous times during my 3 year addiction,but I survived by placing myself in rehab. Not everyone who has an addiction to crack is the same, so please don’t categorize us as the same. You should try talking to a crack addict and maybe then you can speak with an “educated” tongue. Just saying :smack: This thread was produced during an awful period in my life. I wasn’t exactly seeing clearly nor objectively. BTW, this is a very old thread. ---
**Author:** ![LisaJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/73ab20/32.png) [@LisaJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LisaJ)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/205 "2013-04-30T06:24:28Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > This thread was produced during an awful period in my life. I wasn’t exactly seeing clearly nor objectively. BTW, this is a very old thread. Thank you for replying. I am sorry that I came across abrupt but the subject of crack addiction really hits home with me. I hope things are going better for you at this time in your life. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/206 "2013-05-01T15:26:33Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > My mother was once on the cover of Crack Whore Magazine. Are you Cartman? His mother was, and he bragged about it too. 😃 I do know one man who got messed up with crack, and it cost him his law license. He’s now on disability because of the damage it did to his body. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/207 "2013-05-01T15:31:02Z")
> [@Dave\_Hartwick](#): > > Your claim that all regular crack users inevitably turn to prostitution was refuted by the example of Whitney Houston. You admitted that you didn’t think she turned to prostitution. She eventually would have, if she had run out of money. That’s the only difference IMNSHO. Sometimes I wonder if addicts are doing this to themselves on purpose to avoid family and personal responsibilities, but looking at what this does to their lives, I just can’t imagine a life of addiction being preferable to that. ---
**Author:** ![supergoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@supergoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supergoose)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/208 "2013-05-01T18:10:51Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > No, actually. I was considering entering him into a group home because of the depression and violent behaviors that he was suffering at the time. I also stated quite openly that I had decided not to pursue that, and to keep him at home. (And yes, he’s much better now and doing well, thanks for asking.) I just wanted to quickly say: That’s fantastic, I’m so glad to hear it! I hope things keep going well for him. Edit: shit, I just realized you posted that almost a year ago. Well, I hope it’s still true. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/209 "2013-05-01T18:54:54Z")
But tell me have you ever really, really ever known a crackhead? ---
**Author:** ![No\_Tom\_Foolery](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bb73d2/32.png) [@No\_Tom\_Foolery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Tom_Foolery)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/210 "2013-09-18T23:13:38Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > You are correct in that many times it will affect sexual _ability_ in more chronic users when they are high. However, it does not lower their _libidos_ whatsoever; in fact it increases it tremendously. A common thing for a male crackhead to do is to engage in some sort of wild sex while high, even though he’s unable to cum, and then when he’s not high he’ll masturbate to the memories of the “fun”. I agree 100% ,and am here to add Ambivalid. New poster here!!! ,Anyhow i agree:eek: with this poster about the sex thing .That is,it is what happens where crackheads of age say 25 and up "adults"or so congregate. Who am i? Well im one those guys (40yrs) with reg job who is familiar with many drug scenes,with a few problems here and their.But never enough to “totally” lose control …Ive come close…In my job and life i encounter the wealthy and famous and i also hang with the addicts,i hang with “everybody”…So here are some crack old friend of mine got completly addicted …so he begs for money makes $80 a day in shopping centers.This friend has taken me,to different party places meeting different people.Now these are regular houses,apartments. People who work jobs /but smoke.The “culture” is all their.One guy has anybody over to party ,men and women.He sits their maturbating while whoever walks in or comes over.Last time i was their ,a girl i just met was asking what i was into and within 1/2 hour well… Theirs lots of girls who simply want to get togther ,get you to spend around $70-100.And when they get high enough ,everyone takes off their clothes. guy and girl or 2 girls one guy…And these aren’t ugly toothless crack hoes .These are good looking women ,who “Like” “Enjoy” this . lifestyle. Theres some other stories that ill pass on.But you can count on porn on the tv at 3 of the 4 places. I actually had a crush on this one ,and have had her in my company.Taking her out to dinner .It took me a few weeks ,to finnally snap out of it .Cause she is soo attractive.And im the helping type.She doesn’t want anything but a place to crash. After meeting her brothers ,her whole family,aunts,cousins.She’s still my friend. never stole from me.But its like the posts say above.These people don’t care about “anything” but getting some money ,getting high,and and having sex.Its completly nuts… Im sure some people are familiar with the underground stoner hippie acid culture… Well this is “sorta” like that …but “totally” different.Like they say above its a subculture ,no morals,n respnsibility ---
**Author:** ![No\_Tom\_Foolery](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bb73d2/32.png) [@No\_Tom\_Foolery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Tom_Foolery)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/211 "2013-09-18T23:27:52Z")
I just wanted to add … I don’t judge people ``` 1. have i been part of this? Yes sure i have 2. Is this my life on a daily basis ...Well no maby once every 3 months ...But for some its everyday...which is hard for me to wrap my head around.. ``` ---
**Author:** ![DtripleG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@DtripleG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DtripleG)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2014, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/212 "2014-07-20T00:24:07Z")
I don’t know if anyone still looks at this thread, but I read it and had to make an account just to reply. Parts of this are true, but not all of it. You guys knew someone. I was a crackhead for 7 years. You don’t get high and have sex. You get high and don’t want people to touch you. It’s not pleasurable. It releases the adrenal glands. Meaning heighten senses. Things get louder (that’s why crackheads are quiet). Among other things from all the senses. While I’m not defending crack, ya’ll just don’t know what you are talking about. And I’ve never know a crackhead that used heroin. Also, I never had burnt lips or scabs. I never had sex for it and I was never underweight. In fact I was chubby. So this tread is a bunch of people you think they know something. And along with the all crackheads are gone. I’ve been clean 5 years, have a great job, a car, and am now a wonderful mother of 2. I have a bank account and a savings account and even stock in several companies and a 401k. TRUTH. ---
**Author:** ![DingoelGringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@DingoelGringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DingoelGringo)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2014, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/213 "2014-07-20T00:31:05Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > Okay cool, so **living\_in\_hell** is apparently our resident expert on the physical cues and symptoms of someone being addicted to crack. If I knew any crackheads this would be good to know. > > He also seems to be an expert in the usage of the term crackhead, so I hope I’m using it correctly. Those whom I knew used it called it smoking rocks. The term crack is something the Newspapers use, not the addicts themselves, at least in Ft Lauderdale FL. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472.md?page=10)