What Is Crank Drug? Addiction, Dangers, & Treatment

Crank is a street name for methamphetamine (meth), a dangerous and highly addictive drug. Known for its potent effects, crank can trigger intense energy and euphoria, but it carries serious risks. Crank drug is often made in illegal labs with toxic chemicals. Crank addiction can quickly take over a person’s life, provoking severe health issues, addiction, and even death.

This guide explores all aspects of this damaging drug, from what crank looks like to how it’s made and why it’s so addictive. You will also learn how to get effective treatment for stimulant addiction.

What Is The Crank Drug?

Crank is a common street name for meth, a central nervous system stimulant that affects the brain and body. [1] It speeds up the CNS, inducing a temporary rush of energy, focus, and euphoria. These short-term effects are combined with serious risks, though – even using this drug once can lead to a powerful desire to keep doing so.

Meth is often produced illegally in secret labs, using dangerous chemicals that make the drug even more harmful. Crank use can damage almost every part of the body and mind, leading to long-term health problems, addiction, and risky behaviors. This drug can ruin relationships, careers, and lives.

Chemical Makeup of Crank

Crank is made from methamphetamine, which is a man-made drug. [2] The main ingredient used to create it is pseudoephedrine, a common substance found in many cold and allergy medications. When pseudoephedrine is mixed with other chemicals, it turns into methamphetamine.

Illegal meth labs use dangerous substances like anhydrous ammonia, red phosphorus, and lithium to make or cook crank. These chemicals are toxic and can cause fires or explosions during the production process, endangering those making the drug and the surrounding area.

Crank is produced in unsafe and unregulated environments, so its quality and strength can vary. Some batches of crank may be mixed with other harmful substances, making it even more dangerous. The drug’s unpredictable nature means that nobody knows how strong or toxic a dose will be, raising the risk of overdose and death.

What Does Crank Look Like?

Crank usually comes in a crystal or powder form, depending on purity. The powdered version is normally white, but it may be yellow, brown, or pink, depending on the chemicals used during the cooking process. Powdered crank is generally less pure and more harmful than the crystal form – this is known as crystal meth. [3] Crystal meth looks like small bluish-white crystals which resemble shards of glass or ice.

People use crank in different ways. The most common methods are smoking, snorting, injecting, and swallowing the drug. Any use of crank is dangerous and could lead to life-threatening overdose and other adverse outcomes.

What Is Crank Slang For?

The term crank is a street name for methamphetamine, specifically the less refined powder form of the drug. Although methamphetamine is a prescription medication used to treat conditions like ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), crank is made in unregulated labs using toxic chemicals. Crank is known for its powerful and immediate effects on the body and mind, including extreme energy and euphoria, although it comes with significant risks, from addiction and overdose to long-term health complications.

The word crank was originally associated with the motorcycle culture of the 1970s. It was named this way because meth was hidden in the crankcases of bikes to avoid detection. Over time, crank became a common street term for meth, especially in powdered form.

Other Street Names for Crank

Crank goes by many street names depending on where it’s sold and how it’s used. These slang names can vary by region, but all refer to some form of methamphetamine. The most common include: 

• Crystal: This name is usually reserved for the purer, crystalline form of meth, also known as crystal meth or ice.
• Speed: Refers to the fast and energetic high that meth provides. The term is used generally to describe stimulants.
  Tina: A popular street name for crank.
• Chalk: A common term for the powdered form of meth.
  Shards: This name comes from the appearance of crystal meth.
• Shabu: A street name used in many parts of the world for crystal meth.

How Crank Works

Crank impacts the central nervous system. When someone uses the drug, it triggers a rush of dopamine, a brain chemical that governs pleasure and reward. This flood of dopamine creates intense feelings of euphoria, high energy, and increased focus. These effects don’t last long, though, leading people to take more crank to keep the high going. 

Crank can be smoked, snorted, or injected. Each method delivers the drug to the brain rapidly, which is why the high can hit so fast. Smoking or injecting crank gives the most intense and immediate effects while snorting or swallowing takes a bit longer to feel but lasts slightly longer.

As crank boosts dopamine levels, it changes the brain’s normal functions. Over time, the brain becomes used to these high dopamine levels and can’t work properly without the drug. Repeated use can quickly lead to addiction.

The drug also impacts the body, causing an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. It forces the body to work overtime, often leading to dangerous effects like overheating, dehydration, heart attacks, or strokes.

How Crank Is Made?

Crank is made in underground labs using toxic and dangerous chemicals. The key ingredient is pseudoephedrine, a common substance found in OTC cold medicines. To make crank, pseudoephedrine is extracted from these medications and mixed with other hazardous chemicals.

Some of the dangerous substances used in making crank include:

• Lithium (found in batteries)
• Anhydrous ammonia (used in fertilizer)
• Red phosphorus (found in matches and road flares) 

The cooking process often involves heating these chemicals in unsafe and unregulated conditions, leading to a high risk of fires or explosions. The fumes created during the production are toxic, putting everyone in the area at risk, not just those making the drug.

Once cooked, crank is found in either powdered or crystallized form. Its quality depends on the process used and the chemicals involved. Some batches of crank may be cut with other harmful substances, making them even more dangerous to consume.

The lack of quality control means people never know exactly what they’re putting into their bodies. This makes crank especially risky, as some batches may be stronger or more toxic than others, increasing the chance of overdose or serious health issues.

What Is the Difference Between Crank & Methamphetamine?

Crank and methamphetamine are essentially the same drug, but there are a few key differences. Crank is a street term often used to describe the less pure, powder form of methamphetamine, while crystal meth refers to the more refined, crystallized version of the drug.

• Crank: Typically refers to methamphetamine that’s made in a crude, unrefined form. It often appears as a powder, and its quality can vary greatly. Crank is generally less pure and is sometimes cut with other substances, which can make it even more harmful.
• Crystal meth: This is the purer, crystallized form of methamphetamine. It appears as small, glass-like rocks or shards and is smoked or injected for a rapid and intense high.

 Both forms of meth are dangerous, but crystal meth is often considered stronger and more addictive because of its purity. However, whether it’s crank or crystal meth, both forms are equally harmful to the body and brain, leading to severe health problems, addiction, and potentially life-threatening complications.

How Crank Use Is a Danger to the Body

Crank is extremely harmful to the body, even with short-term use. As a powerful CNS stimulant, it forces the body into overdrive, increasing temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. These effects put tremendous stress on the heart and other organs, leading to dangerous health problems. People who use crank are at higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and damage to their liver, lungs, and kidneys.

The harmful chemicals used to make crank are toxic. When someone consumes crank, they are not only ingesting methamphetamine but also substances like battery acid, ammonia, or drain cleaner. These chemicals can cause damage to the body’s tissues, leading to severe internal injuries over time. Additionally, using crank can cause the body to overheat, which may lead to heatstroke or organ failure.

Crank’s impact on the brain is also dangerous. It alters brain chemistry, making it hard for people to feel pleasure without the drug. Over time, this leads to addiction and mental health problems like anxiety, depression, and paranoia.

Negative Effects of Crank Use

Crank use has devastating effects on the body and mind, both short-term and long-term, with the damage often worsening as use continues.

• Heart and lung damage: Crank increases heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to strokes, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular issues. Long-term use weakens the heart and damages the lungs.
• Brain damage: Crank use damages brain cells and disrupts normal brain functions, leading to memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and trouble making decisions.
• Mental health issues: Crank use often causes hallucinations, intense anxiety, and paranoia. These mental health problems can continue long after the drug wears off.
• Skin and teeth damage: People who use crank often develop skin sores from constant scratching and poor hygiene. Meth mouth is another common issue, where severe tooth decay occurs due to the drug’s harmful effects on oral health. [4]
• Infectious diseases: Sharing needles to inject crank increases the risk of contracting diseases like hepatitis and HIV. Risky behaviors like unsafe sex also raise the likelihood of infection.

10 Symptoms of Crank Abuse & Addiction

Crank addiction can develop quickly, and the signs can be physical and behavioral. Recognizing these symptoms early can help people seek treatment before the addiction worsens – all addictions are progressive conditions.

1. Extreme energy: People using crank often show unnatural energy and alertness, staying active for long periods without sleep.
2. Rapid weight loss: Crank suppresses appetite, leading to sudden and unhealthy weight loss.
3. Skin sores: Those who crank may scratch their skin excessively, leading to open sores and infections.
4. Tooth decay: Meth use causes severe dental problems known as meth mouth. Meth mouth is characterized by gum disease and rotting teeth.
5. Irritability and mood swings: Individuals using crank can shift from feeling euphoric to being irritable, aggressive, or violent.
6. Hallucinations: Crank can cause people to see or hear things that aren’t real, potentially leading to dangerous behaviors.
7. Insomnia: People addicted to crank often go days without sleep, causing severe exhaustion and mental health problems.
8. Depression: As the effects of crank wear off, people may experience deep depression and feelings of hopelessness.
9. Risky behaviors: People addicted to meth may take risks like driving under the influence, engaging in unsafe sex, or getting into legal trouble.
10. Paranoia: People using the drug may become suspicious or believe they are being watched or followed, often without reason.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal from crank can be a difficult and painful process. After using crank for a while, the body and brain become dependent on the drug, making it hard to stop without proper addiction treatment. When someone tries to quit, they experience withdrawal symptoms, which can be physical and emotional.

 Some common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Cravings
• Increased appetite
• Irritability

Recovery & Treatment: Rehab for Crank

Recovering from crank addiction is possible, but it requires professional help and commitment. Rehab programs are designed to help people break free from crank addiction through a combination of therapies and medical care. The first step is detox, where the body clears out the drug. During this process, medical professionals provide support to manage withdrawal symptoms and keep individuals safe.

After detox, ongoing treatment is needed to address the psychological effects of addiction. Inpatient rehab programs offer a structured and supportive environment where people can focus on their recovery without distractions. Outpatient programs provide more flexibility, enabling people to live at home while attending therapy sessions.

 Common treatment methods at a crank rehab include:

• CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy): This talk therapy helps people understand the triggers that lead to drug use and teaches them healthier ways to cope.
• Group therapy: Sharing experiences with others going through similar challenges can provide support and encouragement.
• MAT (medication-assisted treatment): In some cases, medications may be used to help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

 Rehab is just the beginning of the recovery journey. Long-term support through counseling, support groups, and healthy lifestyle changes is central to maintaining sobriety and preventing relapse. With the right help, people can rebuild their lives and recover from the damage caused by crank addiction.

Get Treatment for Crank Addiction at Renaissance Recovery

If you or someone you care about needs help getting back on track from crank addiction, reach out to Renaissance Recovery.

 When you choose an outpatient program at one of our Florida or California rehabs, you can continue living at home and working while getting first-class and compassionate care.

 Every addiction is different, so all treatment plans at Renaissance are personalized. Therapies may include:

• Motivational therapies
• Counseling
• Talk therapies
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Holistic treatments
• Aftercare

 When you’re ready to reclaim your life from crank addiction, call 866-330-9449.  

Sources

[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9351721/

[2] https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/how-methamphetamine-manufactured

[3] https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs5/5049/5049p.pdf

[4] https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/odh/documents/meth-mouth.pdf