What Does Crack Smell Like When Smoked?

Identify the Smell of Crack Cocaine and Getting a Loved One Help

If you are a loved one of someone who you think is abusing drugs, you might ask yourself: What does crack smell like when smoked? Crack cocaine, a highly addictive stimulant drug, has a distinct smell when smoked. Understanding this chemical smell can help you identify its use by your loved one and perhaps discuss substances if you suspect drug abuse.

Changes Healing Center staff members share your deep concerns for the person you love. Knowing the distinct cocaine smell warning sign can help you guide your friend or family member to get the professional help they need.

We invite you to continue to read to learn more about how crack smells and how a few other drugs smell, as well as other general signs of substance abuse so you can support your loved one in getting recovery support!

Why Does Crack Cocaine Lead to So Much Substance Abuse?

Crack cocaine, often shortened to “crack,” is a potent and incredibly addictive form of cocaine. It comes in the form of a rock-like crystal. The name “crack” doesn’t come from the appearance but from the crackling sound it sometimes makes when heated. It is typically smoked to produce an intense, almost immediate high.

Crack cocaine comes from powdered cocaine, which is derived from the coca plant. To make the cocaine ready for smoking as crack, it is mixed with water and a base, usually ammonia. But sometimes, the meth lab uses baking powder or baking soda.

Cooking crack cocaine with these substances removes the hydrochloride and forms the crystal rocks that can be smoked. The use of ammonia in this process can carry over to the finished product, adding to its chemical odor when smoked.

The United States Department of Justice warns that the substance is highly addictive.

Crack cocaine and other cocaine substances are uppers that give users intense euphoria. But crack’s cooking process makes the high more intense than snorting powder cocaine. Crack also gives people a feeling of energy and invincibility, as well as enhanced senses.

The high is short-lived, leading to a quick comedown and cravings. Thus, the cycle perpetuates rapidly and becomes addictive, even with short-term use.

What Does Crack Cocaine Smell Like?

The most distinct odor of crack is ammonia, which we mentioned earlier is often part of the cooking stage of transforming cocaine (which has an almost indetectable floral scent) from its pure form into crack. The powerful chemicals give the smoke a sharp, pungent, burning rubber odor.

A different smell also associated with smoking crack is rotten eggs. That strong smell indicates the presence of Levamisole, a dewormer that some add to the “recipe” while cooking. The unpleasant odor comes from certain chemical reactions when the Levamisole heats up.

Other Ways to Identify Crack Cocaine Abuse

Another way to identify drug use (crack or different drugs) is to be alert to the presence of drug paraphernalia and other signs of use.

Here are a few items you may notice:

• Crack pipes to vaporize and inhale the crack
• Burnt spoons or aluminum foil to heat and liquefy before smoking
• Dirty test tubes or glass pipes, sometimes off-white, yellowed, or browned to hold and heat crack
• Steel wool pads, used as a filter during smoking
• Lighters
• Talcum powder, cleaning products, or laundry detergent, used as cutting agents
• Razor blades to chop or scoop crack while using it
• Clothes with strangely sweet or chemical odors

These items may seem innocent enough, but they can reinforce your suspicion of crack cocaine use.

What are the Signs of Crack or Cocaine Use?

Along with the “tools” that might reveal cocaine abuse, here are the signs and symptoms of abuse:

• Aggressive behavior; rapid mood swings
• Dilated pupils
• Weight loss
• Hyperactivity or restlessness
• Burned lips and fingers
• Nosebleeds
• Tooth decay; gum disease
• Skin sores
• Disheveled physical appearance
• Withdrawal from family/friends
• Coughing; shortness of breath

Seeing these signs along with noticing drug smells may indicate a severe issue.

What Do Other Substances Smell Like? 3 Examples of Common Drug Smells

You might still suspect drug use, but the odor doesn’t match up with the distinct scents of crack. Below are the smells of some other substances that may indicate drug addiction or abuse:

How Does Heroin Smell Like?

Smoked heroin emits a strong, acidic odor. Some compare it to the smell of vinegar. This distinct smell comes from the acetic anhydride used in its production process.

What Is Crystal Meth Smell Like?

Crystal meth has a chemical, ammonia, or sulfuric acid odor. Some describe it as similar to burnt plastic. The burning plastic odor is often less sweet smell than other drugs and tends to linger longer in the environment.

What About PCP Smell Like?

PCP (phencyclidine) emits a chemical, synthetic smell like a permanent marker or strong industrial cleaner. This pungent odor is noticeable when the drug is smoked and can stick to clothing and surroundings.

Our Addiction Treatment Options at Changes Healing Center

It’s hard to be clear-eyed when a loved one struggles with addiction. Thus, it’s imperative to ask questions and seek information about rehab centers or addiction treatment programs. Seeking professional help can help your special someone overcome a dependency on crack cocaine or various drugs.

Changes Healing Center is a Joint Commission Accredited facility providing a supportive environment with a singular goal: long-term recovery. We take a holistic approach to healing and provide customized, evidence-based options to help your loved one heal.

Outpatient Treatment Programs

We offer outpatient treatment, a more flexible option for those whose addictions are shorter-term or less aggressive. There, clients undergo a wide spectrum of therapies during their time with us and go home to sleep each evening.

Inpatient Care and Treatment Options

Those whose addiction demands more intensive care can find much-needed help in our inpatient treatment program. Inpatient care provides 24-hour support, ensuring that the most intense or longer-term addictions receive the comprehensive care needed to heal.

Mental Health Treatment Along With Addiction Treatment

We also address any co-occurring disorders during dual diagnosis treatment, such as behavioral or mental health disorders or trauma contributing to the addiction.

We understand that helping someone detox from cocaine without drilling down to the root cause will dissipate as quickly as the scent of drug smoke that dissipates a while after using.

Connect with Changes Healing Center to Get Support Today

Whether your family member carries the scent of crack smoke, meth, or abusing any other drug or alcohol abuse, we can help. Connect with our team today. Your call to us is free and confidential. We can guide you on the next steps to help you get addiction care for your family member or loved one now.

Today can be the last day that your special person struggles with drug addiction – we can often accommodate same-day or next-day admissions. Give us a call now to learn how we can help that special person heal.