# 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:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/101 "2012-05-01T22:30:01Z")
I know one crackhead. He got clean and transferred his fervor to Jesus. I don’t really consider it an improvement. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/102 "2012-05-01T22:37:07Z")
I don’t think I’ve known any, but I really don’t get much interaction with underworld types. Which is something I’m not happy with, I prefer dysfunctional people, they make me feel less bad about myself. I have always been under the impression that the stereotype of an addict (whether meth, alcohol, heroin or crack) was the worst of the worst, not the typical addict. I have known alcoholics who were quite functional, they weren’t lying in the street drinking out of a brown bag. I assumed the same was true with meth and crack. You have a continuum of dysfunction with the worst of the worst being the stereotype. I have known a couple of meth addicts (not too well) and was told that they didn’t give off the stereotypical signs you’d assume. They had good teeth, and one was quite attractive. Are there functional crack addicts, or is it a drug that really does affect you that badly? Besides, I thought meth was ‘better’ than crack. I haven’t tried either, but I thought meth gave you the same high as crack, but kept it up for hours rather than minutes like crack does. If so, what incentive is there to use crack instead of meth? ---
**Author:** ![MrDurden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed655f/32.png) [@MrDurden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDurden)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/103 "2012-05-02T00:22:57Z")
What’s with the thing about sex addiction going hand in hand with crack? Sure plenty of addicts have multiple addiction, but it’s not like crack is some sort of ‘spanish fly’ In fact, too much leads to inability to perform/function as it constricts blood flow. It certainly does not activate the flow of sexuality that MDMA does. Lots of things in this thread are incorrect or tainted from personal experiences with random addicts on the street. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/104 "2012-05-02T01:31:17Z")
> [@belladonna](#): > > This is nonsensical. “More pure” than what? As you said, it’s _made from_ cocaine. Product made from stomped-on powder will not magically turn primo just because you’ve added a bit of baking powder. It’s really not. Powder cocaine is cut with impurities that are removed in the cooking process of making crack. Please do some research. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/105 "2012-05-02T01:34:23Z")
> [@MrDurden](#): > > What’s with the thing about sex addiction going hand in hand with crack? > > Sure plenty of addicts have multiple addiction, but it’s not like crack is some sort of ‘spanish fly’ In fact, too much leads to inability to perform/function as it constricts blood flow. It certainly does not activate the flow of sexuality that MDMA does. > > Lots of things in this thread are incorrect or tainted from personal experiences with random addicts on the street. 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”. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/106 "2012-05-02T01:40:11Z")
> [@belladonna](#): > > So, you’re saying every addict is different? This much, at least, is true. So why did you spend so many words above insisting the exact opposite? Not every addict is in the same circumstances; not every addict has been addicted as long and not every addict has the same support structures. So obviously they won’t all _look_ the same. But there will be some common _behavior_ in all of them, irrespective of circumstance. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/107 "2012-05-02T01:43:02Z")
> [@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”. Erm… where do you get this? You’re not new. Where’s the citation? ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/108 "2012-05-02T01:46:08Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > Erm… where do you get this? You’re not new. Where’s the citation? > **[Redirect Notice](http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=the%20crack%2Fsex%20connection&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCoQrAIoADAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crackreality.com%2Fdiscussion_group_3_0_10%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ff%3D2%26t%3D4201&ei=OpGgT8KEEoOm8gSo7Y2GCA&usg=AFQjCNGv7-Srdjj6ElgNyamsOqv6NDYNdw)** ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/109 "2012-05-02T01:47:21Z")
Seriously? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/110 "2012-05-02T01:59:15Z")
Dear Og! No wonder he doesn’t know anything. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/111 "2012-05-02T02:01:56Z")
I used to know a few coworkers who would come into work in the same clothes they left in. Some smelled like booze and once or twice some seemed to have powder on their jackets or tops. (Damn laundromats should never have liquor licences…) I’ve worked with a heroin addict; saw her not only shoot up in the office but shoot up her skanky BF in the parking deck while he held the rubber hose. She wasn’t a whore, but she was low-class. At school I saw a kid who could have doubled for Jim Kelly (martial arts & all) devolve into a drooling idiot who thought peeing himself was funny after he discovered smoking ‘dipped’ cigarettes. Never saw him again after that semester. The privacy act prevents me from saying anything specific (& HR NARCs prevent me from posting more) about my dealings with the public. But I deal with so many entitled, truly brain-f-cked individuals on a daily basis that I just Must have dealt with at least One crack whore. Of course it could have been other drugs, a whole host degenerative brain diseases, modern genetic -ssholishness, or maybe one parent thought banging a kids head rapidly from side to side while standing in a door frame was their bands new break through sound. ☹ There’s gotta be an explanation in there somewhere… PS- As for the ‘whore’ part, does regularly finding used condoms left in the company parking lot count…? ---
**Author:** ![living\_in\_hell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@living\_in\_hell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/living_in_hell)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/112 "2012-05-02T02:06:03Z")
Eeeeek. This info was cited by someone who revealed details about his patient population, and thanks to google, we now know where he works…not cool. America’s military deserves better than that. ☹ Rich Lopez, LMSW U.S. Army Victim Adovate Program Manager at US Army San Antonio, Texas Area Military ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/113 "2012-05-02T02:12:59Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > Seriously? > **[Redirect Notice](http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=does%20crack%20increase%20libido%3F&source=web&cd=30&ved=0CGIQFjAJOBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrugs.ie%2Fdrugtypes%2Fdrug%2Fcrack_cocaine&ei=-ZagT6GeNoei8gS077zBCA&usg=AFQjCNEroCoELCe0gOyWLNyBsscMTGgJ3g)** Crack cocaine Category: Stimulants Also known as: Freebase, Base, Rocks, Stones, Wash, Pebbles, Gravel. How it’s used Crack cocaine is a smokeable form of cocaine which is made by chemically altering cocaine powder to form crystals or rocks (about the size of a raisin). It is called crack because it makes a crackling sound when it is being burnt. Crack is usually smoked in a pipe, glass tube, plastic bottle or in foil. It can also be injected. Short-term effects • Crack is also a short acting stimulant drug but the effects are much stronger than cocaine • Creates an immediate intense euphoria which peaks after about 2 minutes and lasts for around 10 minutes • The “high” feeling can induce hallucinations, huge mood swings and paranoia • Aggression and violence • Users report feeling alert, energetic and confident • Dry mouth, loss of appetite, sweating, increased heart and pulse rate • Once the high has worn off (after about 20 minutes), it is followed by a long low crash which can be associated with strong cravings to take more Long-term effects • Increased anxiety, nervousness and psychotic behaviour • Chronic coughing, cracked wheezy breathing and partial loss of voice • Breathing problems and damage to lungs • Difficulty sleeping • Weight loss • Debt Other dangers • Risk of overdosing increases if mixed with heroin, barbiturates or alcohol • High doses can raise the body’s temperature, cause convulsions and respiratory arrest. • Problems with anxiety, paranoia and panic attacks. • Loss of sexual desire, heart problems • Damage to veins if injecting • Risk of HIV and Hepatitis transmission if injecting equipment is shared • **Increased libido can lead to risky sexual behaviours** If you are pregnant Crack cocaine use during pregnancy can induce miscarriage, premature labour, smaller babies and congenital abnormalities. Babies born to mothers who are crack users during pregnancy will show withdrawal syndrome following birth. Addictive Crack can quickly become both physically and psychologically additive. Tolerance increases over time and so users have to keep increasing their dose to get the same effect. Withdrawal Tiredness and depression (bolding mine) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/114 "2012-05-02T02:17:07Z")
That same cite also says that crack abuse can also cause “Loss of sexual desire”. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/115 "2012-05-02T02:45:06Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > That same cite also says that crack abuse can also cause “Loss of sexual desire”. If you read actual crack addicts’ (active and recovering) give their description of what it was like to smoke it, you will find virtually _all_ of these accounts sharing the aspect of crack increasing their libidos and lowering inhibitions. Of course not _every single person_ reacts the same way to a drug but crack has some definite common traits among it’s addicts. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/116 "2012-05-02T03:00:26Z")
Well of course you will, it sounds way cooler than “Bounced off walls and talked a lot for an hour. Came down. Went looking for more crack.” ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/117 "2012-05-02T03:04:44Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > Well of course you will, it sounds way cooler than “Bounced off walls and talked a lot for an hour. Came down. Went looking for more crack.” ?!Sounds way cooler?! Ok, I see we aren’t really even having a serious discussion here. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/118 "2012-05-02T03:06:53Z")
Well of course not. You can’t have a serious discussion with someone who believes whatever nonsense Google spits out and refuses to consider that his “research” may have been incomplete and inconclusive. ---
**Author:** ![belladonna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@belladonna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladonna)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/119 "2012-05-02T03:18:17Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > It’s really not. Powder cocaine is cut with impurities that are removed in the cooking process of making crack. Please do some research. My research is three years spent living in a crackhouse, so please stop with the condescension. Shitty powder makes shitty crack unless you double-process it. The majority of mass-produced rock on the market is single-processed and is of the same or less purity than the powder it was made from. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472/120 "2012-05-02T03:26:51Z")
> [@belladonna](#): > > My research is three years spent living in a crackhouse, so please stop with the condescension. Shitty powder makes shitty crack unless you double-process it. The majority of mass-produced rock on the market is single-processed and is of the same or less purity than the powder it was made from. Don’t compare your actual experiences with those of an expert who has glanced at several websites. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-really-known-a-crackhead/620472.md?page=7)