What Is Crank? Addiction, Risks, & Treatment

Crank is a powerful and dangerous drug. It gives people intense energy and happiness, but it carries serious risks. Misusing this variant of meth is damaging to the body and mind, often causing lasting harm.

This page explores the many dangers of crank and shows you how to connect with effective treatment for stimulant abuse if you have been abusing crank in any form.

What Is Crank Drug?

Crank is a street name for methamphetamine, a fiercely addictive and potentially deadly drug [1]. It’s a powerful stimulant of the CNS (central nervous system) that makes people feel energetic, alert, and euphoric. These effects cause some people to use crank to stay active for long periods or to get a quick burst of pleasure. The euphoria is fleeting, though, and is followed by a crash that induces fatigue, sadness, and anxiety. 

Crank can be smoked, snorted, swallowed, or injected. The drug is highly addictive and can damage the brain, heart, and other organs. Chronic use of crank can destroy a person’s health, relationships, and life.

The drug is an illegal Schedule II substance in the United States, but it’s still made in secret labs and sold on the streets [2].

Crank’s Chemical Makeup

Crank is made from methamphetamine, but it also contains many dangerous chemicals. The main ingredients used to make crank are pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, found in cold and allergy medications. These ingredients undergo a chemical process to become crank. Some of these chemicals include: 

• Red phosphorus: Found on matchbox strikers.
• Hydrochloric acid: Used in cleaning products.
• Anhydrous ammonia: Found in fertilizers.
• Lithium: Taken from batteries.
• Acetone: Used in nail polish remover.

These chemicals are toxic in isolation and become even more harmful when combined to make crank—they can explode or produce toxic fumes. People who use the drug are putting these poisons into their bodies, potentially triggering long-term health complications. 

The illegal production process means that the quality and ingredients can change. The drug may be adulterated with other substances to make it cheaper to produce. This makes it even more dangerous as people don’t know exactly what they’re putting into their bodies. 

What Crank Looks Like

Crank can look different depending on how it’s made. It comes in one of two main forms: powder and crystal. Both forms are harmful and addictive. 

• Powdered crank: Powdered crank is usually white or off-white, but can also be yellow or brown. It looks like fine grains of sugar or salt. Less commonly, the powder is packed into pills or capsules. This type of crank is often impure.
• Crystal meth: Crystal meth looks like clear, shiny crystals or small glass pieces. It’s otherwise known as ice or glass because of its appearance. Crystal meth is typically purer and stronger than powdered crank.
• Liquid crank: This variant of the drug is less common and looks like a dark yellow syrup.

What is Crank the Street Name For?

Crank is just one of many slang terms for methamphetamine. People use slang names to talk about drugs secretly. The word crank is most commonly used to refer to powdered meth, which is less pure and more harmful. That said, the term is sometimes applied to the more potent crystalline form of the drug. 

The term crank comes from the days when motorcycle gangs who trafficked the drug used to hide it in the crankcases of their bikes. This name stuck and people still use it today to refer to methamphetamine. 

Alternative Slang Names for Crank

There are many different street names for crank. These names help people hide their drug use or talk about it without others knowing. Here are some of the most common slang terms used to describe meth:

• Speed: Crank is often called speed, a nickname based on the drug’s ability to make people using it feel energetic and alert, as it speeds up the central nervous system.
• Crystal meth: This form of crank is named for its crystal-like appearance.
• Glass: This street name for crank refers to the shiny, glass-like appearance of crystal meth, the most potent and dangerous form of crank.
• Shards: This term comes from the drug’s sharp, crystal-like pieces.
• Quartz: Another name that refers to the drug’s shiny, rock-like appearance.
• Tina: A nickname used in some social circles to hide meth use.
• Ice: Crank is sometimes called ice because the crystalline form of the drug resembles pieces of ice. 

How Does Crank Work?

Crank is a powerful stimulant that accelerates the CNS. It triggers a surge of chemicals in the brain that makes people feel a sudden burst of energy, happiness, and confidence.  

When someone uses crank in any form, it prompts the release of a brain chemical called dopamine [3]. Dopamine is responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward. Your brain normally releases dopamine in small amounts during activities like eating, exercising, or cuddling. Crank forces the brain to release too much dopamine all at once. This is why the high associated with crank is so intense.

The high is fleeting, though. After the effects wear off, the brain is left with very little dopamine. This can make the person feel sad, tired, and anxious. The body and brain then crave more crank to feel good again. This is how addiction begins—crank addiction is described clinically as stimulant use disorder [4]. 

Crank also increases blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate. People who use it may feel like they can stay awake for days without sleeping or eating. These effects put extreme stress on the body, though, provoking severe health problems over time. 

How Is Crank Made?

Crank is made in illegal laboratories called meth labs. These labs can be found in houses, basements, and cars. Making crank is dangerous because it uses harmful chemicals that can explode or produce toxic fumes. 

The main ingredient in crank is either pseudoephedrine or ephedrine. This base ingredient is combined with chemicals like acetone, lithium, hydrochloric acid, and red phosphorus. These chemicals are heated, mixed, and processed to create crank. The process is illegal and highly dangerous. Fires and explosions often occur in meth labs due to the flammable nature of the chemicals used. The toxic fumes created during the process can poison the air and harm anyone nearby. 

Crank is often cut with other substances to bulk it up and increase the profits of those selling the drug. Cutting agents may include chalk, powdered milk, or cleaning products. This makes crank even more unpredictable and dangerous. The only safe use of amphetamines like crank is when prescribed by a healthcare provider to treat mental health conditions like ADHD. Any use of the illicit forms of this powerful stimulant is inadvisable and potentially deadly. 

Crank vs Methamphetamine

Crank and methamphetamine are versions of the same drug. The word crank is usually applied to the powdered form of methamphetamine, although crystal meth may also be called crank in some circles. Here are the main differences between crank and methamphetamine: 

• Crank: This form of amphetamine looks like a white or off-white powder. Crank is usually less pure and often mixed with other substances. It can be snorted, swallowed, or injected. Injecting crank is the most dangerous method of administration and it delivers the fastest and most powerful effects.
• Crystal meth: Crystal meth is a pure and potent form of methamphetamine that looks like clear, shiny crystals or fragments of glass. Crystal meth is typically smoked or injected. The difference in purity means that crystal provokes a stronger and more intense high, as well as more severe side effects. 

Physical Dangers of Crank Use

Crank is among the most dangerous drugs because it damages almost every part of the body. It triggers short-term and long-term effects, taking a serious toll on a person’s health. Here are some of the physical risks associated with the drug: 

• Cardiovascular complications: Crank makes the heart beat faster and raises blood pressure. Over time, this can cause heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.
• Brain damage: Crank damages brain cells, especially those related to memory, thinking, and emotions. Long-term use of crank can cause permanent brain damage [5].
• Lung issues: Smoking crank can damage the lungs, leading to coughing, infections, and lung diseases.
• Liver and kidney damage: The toxic chemicals in crank can cause the liver and kidneys to stop working properly.
• Weakened immune system: Crank weakens the body’s ability to fight infections, making it easier to get sick.
• Skin and dental problems: People who use crank often develop sores, infections, and severe tooth decay—meth mouth [6]. 

Crank doesn’t just harm the body, but also strongly impacts mental health. Chronic use of the drug can cause paranoia, anxiety, and hallucinations. If you or someone you know is battling crank abuse, reach out for help as soon as possible. 

Adverse Effects of Crank

Some of the adverse outcomes associated with crank manifest immediately, while others take time to unfold. 

Short-term negative effects of crank include: 

• High blood pressure
• Rapid heartbeat
• Sweating
• Feeling awake or alert
• Appetite loss
• Anxiety
• Nervousness

Long-term negative effects of crank include: 

• Dramatic weight loss and malnutrition
• Dental decay
• Lung infections
• Skins sores from scratching
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Memory problems
• Heart attacks
• Stroke
• Brain damage 

Using crank can damage health, work, relationships, and mental well-being. These negative effects can ruin a person’s life and complicate recovery without professional intervention. Fortunately, crank abuse is treatable with the right evidence-based therapies. 

Crank Addiction Symptoms

Crank addiction is diagnosed as mild, moderate, or severe, based on the symptoms outlined in DSM-5-TR (the latest revised edition of APA’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) [7]. Look for the following symptoms if you suspect you or someone you love might be addicted to crank: 

1. Using more crank or using it for longer than planned.
2. Wanting to cut down or quit without being able to.
3. Spending a lot of time getting crank, using it, or recovering from it.
4. Having strong urges to use the drug.
5. Struggling to perform well at home, work, or school because of using crank.
6. Continuing to use crank even when it hurts relationships with friends and family.
7. Stopping or cutting back on hobbies or activities that once mattered.
8. Using crank in dangerous situations, such as driving.
9. Ongoing crank use even though it causes physical or mental health problems.
10. Needing more crank to feel the same effects.
11. Feeling sick or uneasy when not using crank—this is known as crank withdrawal. 

Crank Withdrawal Symptoms

When someone stops using crank, their body goes through withdrawal. This can be intensely uncomfortable. Common crank withdrawal symptoms include: 

• Extreme fatigue
• Feeling sad or hopeless
• Irritability
• Nervousness and anxiety
• Powerful cravings for crank
• Increased appetite
• Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep 

Crank withdrawal can last for weeks or months. Medical support can streamline the withdrawal process and reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. 

Effective Treatment for Crank Addiction

While crank addiction is a chronic and relapsing condition, proper treatment can help people initiate sustained recovery. Steps commonly involved include:

•  Detox: The first fundamental step in recovery involves medical detox. There are no medications currently approved for treating meth addiction, but supervised detox makes the withdrawal process smoother and enables people to transition to ongoing inpatient or outpatient treatment.
• Therapy: Ongoing treatment helps people address the psychological side of crank addiction through a combination of talk therapy, motivational therapy, counseling, and family and group therapy.
• Support groups: Support groups like NA (Narcotics Anonymous) help many people stay drug-free long-term.
• Aftercare: All effective crank addiction treatment programs include a robust aftercare component to help people remain abstinent after leaving rehab.
• Healthy habits: Eating well, exercising, and sleeping properly help the body to heal from stimulant use disorder.

Get Compassionate and Evidence-Based Treatment for Crank Abuse at California Detox

If you or someone you care about is addicted to crank, we can help you get back on track at California Detox. We treat all addictions, including crank addiction, in an inpatient setting at our beachside rehab center in California. We also offer mental health treatment for those with co-occurring disorders. 

The withdrawal process for crank is difficult but not impossible with the right support. When you opt for detox or inpatient care at California Detox, you get access to medication and 24/7 clinical care. After detox, you can transition to ongoing inpatient treatment while addressing the root causes of your drug addiction and learning the keys to long-term recovery.

Every crank addiction presents differently, so all our treatment plans are personalized. Therapies might include: 

• Talk therapies
• Motivational therapies
• Holistic treatments
• Counseling
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Aftercare support

Stop your crank addiction with compassionate medical assistance by calling 888-995-4208.

Sources 

[1] https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/methamphetamine 

[2] https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling 

[3] https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/dopamine 

[4] https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/substance-use/stimulants.asp 

[5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3764482/ 

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

[7] https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm