![]() The sharing of drug paraphernalia and sexual promiscuity lead to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases in addition to other diseases resulting from respiratory damage (e.g., tuberculosis). Users frequently become involved in violent and illegal activities, such as theft, assault, trafficking and risky sexual activities to obtain money or drugs, all of which cause social and public health problems. Īlthough it is not identified among the most heavily consumed illicit drugs from Brazilian statistical data (only 0.7% of the population has used it during their lifetime), crack deserves attention due to the risks associated with the pattern of compulsive use surrounding it. Ĭocaine presents inherent risks to users, such as neurological and psychiatric impairments (e.g., depression and psychosis symptoms ) and death through overdose. In general, crack cocaine use occurs over a prolonged period of time, and cessation of use results in physical, psychological or financial exhaustion. They proved generally effective, though they involved risks of triggering additional problems (e.g., other dependencies) in the long term.Ĭrack, the smokable form of cocaine, is a potent stimulant of the central nervous system and carries with it a high potential for user addiction. The strategies developed by the respondents focused on trying to protect themselves. To address the illegality of the drug, strategies were developed to deal with dealers and the police these strategies were considered crucial for survival. Protection strategies focused on the control of the psychological effects, primarily through the consumption of alcohol and marijuana. Respondents believed that the greatest risks of crack dependence were related to the drug's psychological effects (e.g., cravings and transient paranoid symptoms) and those arising from its illegality (e.g., clashes with the police and trafficking). The average duration of crack use was 11.5 years. There was diversity in the sample with regard to economic and education levels. The interviews were literally transcribed and analyzed via content analysis techniques using NVivo-8 software. ![]() The sample was selected using information provided by key informants and distributed across eight different supply chains. This criterion was defined as the long-term use of crack (i.e., at least four years). Twenty-eight crack users fulfilling a pre-defined enrollment criterion were interviewed. MethodĪ qualitative research method was used involving semi-structured, in-depth interviews. In this context, the aim of the present study was to identify the strategies and tactics developed by crack users to deal with the risks associated with the culture of use by examining the survival strategies employed by long-term users. However, there is evidence that some users manage to stay alive and active while using crack cocaine for many years, despite the numerous adversities and risks involved with this behavior. Due to marginalization, trafficking violence, conflicts with the police and organic and social psychological problems associated with the drug, crack is one of the most devastating drugs currently in use.
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