Crackhead

A crackhead is a slang term for a person who is addicted to crack cocaine.

Usage

It was originally used to refer to crack users that were desperate to get more crack, jittery, and wild, so they stood out even among other crack users. Those labeled as crackheads are also often associated with homelessness, theft, and poor physical appearance.

Now days a crackhead can be referred to anyone who is a junkie of some sort. Such as someone that smokes or snorts crystal meth, eats mass quantities of ecstasy, snorts or free bases cocaine, along with the use of crack cocaine on a regular bases. After the use of large quantities, users become jittery or brain dead. The next day or so the user may also feel withdrawals along with being moody or depressed. Crackheads are also known to offer sexual favors for any of the above mentioned drugs.

History

"Crackheads" appeared in great numbers during the 1980s, as crack cocaine became more available, cheaper, and of higher potency than other forms of cocaine. Crack addicts were and are a largely urban phenomenon.

Popular Culture

The 1991 movie New Jack City starring Wesley Snipes, Ice T, Chris Rock and Judd Nelson depicted the Crack Epidemic in Harlem, New York during the 1980's. Chris Rock's portrayal of the infamous crackhead "Pookie" helped create the popular stereotype of how a crackhead would act.

In the television series Chappelle's Show, the comedian Dave Chappelle portrayed a twitching and scratching crackhead named Tyrone Biggums in at least 4 episodes.

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