Way before the opioid crisis or the Xanax craze, there was crank. Maybe some of you are wondering what is crank the drug. Crank is a powerful stimulant used illegally to get an intense rush, euphoria, and become physically energized and hyperactive.
According to recent reports, crank use in the United States is experiencing a resurgence, all over the country. But what exactly is the crank drug? Here are fast facts about this drug.
1. Crank is the street name of Methamphetamine.
Crank is one of the street names used to refer to methamphetamine. This drug is also known as meth, speed, ice, and poor man’s cocaine, among others. Crank is a central nervous system stimulant and taking the drug affects your attention, heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, mood, and responses.
Unlike cocaine or heroin, crank is made synthetically using different chemicals. Many meth labs are run by unqualified meth cooks who combine household chemicals to create the drug. If you’re familiar with the popular TV series “Breaking Bad”, then you probably have an idea how this goes. In the TV series, the lead character who happens to be a chemistry teacher started manufacturing crank with a former student. The reality, however, is that whether the meth cook is a chemist or not, it doesn’t make the drug less dangerous.
2. Crank comes in many forms.
Crank usually comes as a crystalline powder similar to chalk dust. While pure crank is supposedly colorless, it usually comes in white or off-white color. It can also appear as a pink, blue, green, or yellow powder depending on the substances that the powder is cut with.
Crystal meth is another form of crank resembling quartz, rock salt, or shiny pieces of glass. Crank can also come in the form of pills and tablets, as well in liquid form. The liquid form of crank is a syrupy fluid that is dark yellow in color. It is, however, converted back to powder or shards, before being sold.
3. Crank Drug is approved medically for ADHD and obesity.
Many people may be surprised to know that even if crank is considered to be highly addictive, it actually has accepted medical uses in the United States. Methamphetamine (under the brand name Desoxyn) is accepted as a second-line treatment for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and obesity for both adults and children, qualifying it as a Schedule II drug. There are however strict restrictions and warnings regarding the medical use of the drug as it is more often than not used as a recreational drug.
In the U.S., possession, transport, sale, and production of crank is illegal unless it is prescribed at the federal level. Depending on the jurisdiction, medical enforcement may even vary. Some states have also placed additional restrictions regarding the sale of chemicals that are commonly used to manufacture meth.
4. The crank being used today is stronger than before.
Being a stimulant, crank is known to trigger the brain’s neurotransmitters all at once, which can result in hyperactivity, alertness, increased focus, and talkativeness. Meth users have been known to forego sleep and food for several days while they are on crank.
What is becoming alarming nowadays is that according to several news reports, meth is not only stronger but cheaper, too. Some are calling the new meth “Super Meth”.
In a New York Times article, Doctor Jason Beaman from the Oklahoma State University was quoted saying that if you compare the meth 20 years ago to the meth being used today, it’s like drinking Mountain Dew before and now Red Bull.
5. Crank addiction can cause serious health consequences.
Reports that crank has become much stronger is very alarming. Stronger crank means that users can easily get addicted and it could rapidly cause serious health issues. There are many side effects associated with crank use. Short-term effects include moodiness, irritability, and restlessness, which usually takes place when the effects of the drug are wearing off or have worn off.
If a person is a long-term crank user, this could affect brain function and ultimately damage the brain’s pleasure centers. This makes it harder to quit and recover from the drug. Using meth for a long time can also damage organs such as the liver, lungs, and kidneys. It can also result in stroke, seizures, and even death.
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available.
Contact Lighthouse Treatment Center today.
