Popular party drugs from the 1980s to the present, crack and its more expensive, purer form, cocaine, have gripped users both rich and poor in the United States. ""Crack"" examines the psychological, biomedical, social, and legal aspects of this highly addictive form of cocaine. Beginning with an overview of how crack affects the brain and body, the book details why the drug is so addictive, the history and demographics of its use, and the relationship between crack and crime. Illustrated with full-color and black-and-white images, ""Crack"" discusses the medical and psychological consequences of crack use and summarizes current approaches to the treatment of addiction to crack cocaine. The chapters include: Why Is Crack So Addictive? History of Crack Cocaine; Demographics of Crack Use; Crack, Crime, and Violence; and Treatment for Crack Addiction.