Cost Of Crack: Street Value Of Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine and powder cocaine are both illegal stimulant drugs derived from South American coca leaves.

Both are forms of cocaine, and both produce a sense of euphoria along with several side effects.

However, the average cost of crack cocaine is often lower than the average cost of powder cocaine, depending on the amount purchased and the purity of the product.

These lower costs occur, in part, due to crack’s preparation process.

Although crack cocaine does begin as powder cocaine, it is mixed with baking soda and then heated in water until it forms white or off-white “rocks.”

The baking soda increases product volume, which allows dealers to sell more. In many cases, this increased supply makes these drugs cost less than other forms of cocaine.

What Is The Street Price Of Crack Cocaine?

In Massachusetts, a 2001 law enforcement report showed that the retail price for one ounce of crack was $700 to $1,500.

According to the same report, the starting cost of cocaine was actually slightly lower than that of crack cocaine, as long as both products were sold by the ounce.

Crack cocaine, however, is often sold in individual doses, or “bumps,” and powder cocaine may not always be available in such low doses.

When purchasing powder cocaine, many will buy a gram of cocaine, an ounce, or a bag.

To many people, therefore, crack cocaine is still a more affordable and attainable form of cocaine use, especially when using cocaine for the first time.

One vial of crack cocaine may cost as little as $10.

What Might Impact The Cost Of Crack?

Several factors may impact the average cost of crack cocaine.

For instance, crack may cost less money in areas with a lot of drug trafficking.

Due to the principles of supply and demand, all drug prices may decrease in these locations.

The purity of cocaine may also impact the cost of crack cocaine. Generally, the more pure the product is, the higher the price will be.

Purity is another factor that may sometimes make powder cocaine more expensive than crack.

While crack always requires a cutting agent (baking soda), powder cocaine may be sold without any additives.

How Crack Cocaine Prices Create Financial Difficulty

Cocaine addiction, like other forms of drug addiction, often creates financial strain.

Although powder cocaine may often cost more money upfront, smaller doses of crack cocaine may also lead to money-related struggles over time.

Short-Acting High

Crack cocaine is a short-acting drug. It creates a powerful high, but that high only lasts for several minutes at most.

Many people smoke crack several times in a row in order to maintain their high, which means that they use most of their product quickly.

This typically results in purchasing doses of crack cocaine more frequently, which adds up quickly.

Risk Of Addiction

Furthermore, though the average price of crack may be low compared to some other drugs, this crack is highly addictive.

In fact, according to some sources, one of the main differences between crack and cocaine is that crack is more addictive.

When a person becomes addicted to crack cocaine, they may repeatedly spend money to continue their drug use.

Often, people who deal with substance abuse spend so much money on illicit drugs that they are unable to pay for other basic needs such as food, housing, and healthcare.

On top of the cost of maintaining substance abuse, it can be costly to deal with the repercussions of substance abuse with professional treatment services.

Fortunately, there are many private and state-funded insurance programs, scholarship funds, and other programs to cover addiction treatment facilities, but this is still an added expense.

Addiction Treatment For Crack Cocaine Abuse

Substance use disorders can impact a person’s health, work, finances, and other parts of life.

There are many treatment options available that can help you overcome addiction and reclaim your mental health.

Spring Hill Recovery Center uses evidence-based treatment programs, including both inpatient rehab and outpatient services.

We can provide access to detox, therapy, and other services to ease the transition to sobriety.

If you or a loved one have an addiction to crack cocaine, contact our providers to learn more about our treatment center.