What are the top 5 most addictive drugs?

Sadly, drug abuse is normalised. A large proportion of the population will turn to drugs, of some sort, to cope, to celebrate, to drown their sorrows, to fit in. This is very sad, especially considering the staggering numbers of drug abuse, addiction and mental health issues. Both short-term and long-term impacts of exposure to addictive drugs are concerning.

Although drug misuse as a whole is dangerous and is discouraged, some drugs carry greater addictive tendencies than others.  As a society, it is very important that we understand which drugs, if excessively consumed can turn from innocent misuse, to a physical and psychological addiction.

At Action Rehab, we’re passionate about increasing education on drug and alcohol abuse. Many individuals struggle to understand the damage linked to addictive drugs. Here’s our take on ‘what are the top 5 most addictive drugs?’, along with steps to take if you do happen to be addicted to any form of substance.

The dangers of excessive drug abuse

As we’ve mentioned above, drugs are unfortunately normalised in today’s society. There once was a time where drug abuse was a taboo subject. Yet, now, the majority of individuals will know of someone who consumes drugs, who misuses them or who’s experiencing a drug addiction.

Down to this change, it is imperative that we understand the dangers of excessive drug abuse, and how this habit can turn into a deeply ingrained brain illness, classed as a drug addiction.

Drug consumption, in most cases, will start innocently. Side effects will be at bay. Psychological associations will be low. Yet, as tolerances build, the quantity of drugs, the consistency of consumption will increase to reach that similar high. Through this cycle, users will continually chase that same feeling, that coping strategy, soon developing a reliance on addictive drugs.

This is extremely dangerous as drug abuse can cause physical health problems, psychological impairment, a reduced quality of life, and overall deterioration to a person’s existence. Yet, the worrying factor is that mental health issues and drug abuse are highly correlated, where some users will experience a dual diagnosis.

If you are abusing any form of drug, it’s important that you take these factors into consideration. You may currently feel fine, yet mental health issues, money problems, legal issues and relationship breakdowns, are all common when abusing addictive drugs.

If you’re wondering ‘what are the top 5 most addictive drugs?’, here’s our take at Action Rehab.

What are the top 5 most addictive drugs? Here’s our take!

Out of a far-reaching range of hazardous substances, there are a group of drugs which carry highly addictive tendencies, making it easier for users to become fixated. Ultimately, those are drugs which influence the most common drug addictions. This will be down to their formation, their ingredients, their effects on the brain, and their difficulty levels when considering withdrawal. Here’s the top 5 most addictive drugs, currently abused in our society.

1. Heroin

Heroin is viewed as a hard drug, as a substance which chronic addicts consume. However, down to its addictive tendencies, more and more people are turning to heroin.

This opioid drug is branded as addictive as it’s known to increase chemicals in the brain by 200 percent, influencing an artificial sense of happiness, of positivity. In most cases, individuals will consume heroin to reach those emotions, to block out mental health issues, to forget about negative personal issues. Here is where heroin stands as one of the top 5 most addictive drugs, as it plays with emotional and psychological associations.

Heroin is a very difficult drug to withdraw from. Significant psychological withdrawal symptoms are likely, making it the most addictive illegal drug in the world.

2. Nicotine

Nicotine is branded as harmless. Users will commonly deny its drug branding. However, nicotine, founded in tobacco products is an addictive drug, down to its ability to adjust dopamine levels in the brain. It is also ranked as one of the most addictive legal drugs, making it very hard for users to withdraw from.

As nicotine is easy to purchase, many users will develop an addiction easily, much easier than other illegal substances.

Over the long-term, a nicotine addiction, like any drug, can be life-threatening, yet the concerning focus directs at respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

3. Cocaine

One of the top 5 most addictive drugs, highly populated across the globe is cocaine. Cocaine, again influencing cognitive responses, provides a false sense of security, of happiness, of dopamine levels.

Although the highs are short lived when considering cocaine consumption, the highs are craved down to the opioids ability to suppress the brain’s natural production of dopamine. With this in mind, users will continue to abuse cocaine, soon building a tolerance, soon reaching quantities linked to addiction.

4. Barbiturates

Barbiturates are a prescription drug, commonly recommended by medical professionals for anxiety related conditions or insomnia. Although classified as a legal drug, barbiturates are ranked as addictive drugs, as those which users can easily rely on down to the idyllic response from the body and brain.

It is however important to note that short-term misuse of prescription medications will offer the sought-after highs. Yet, long-term misuse will lead to fatalities, to further behavioural addictions.

5. Alcohol

Alcohol is also perceived as harmless. It is easily purchased from the shelves of our local supermarkets, from restaurants and bars, from anywhere with a license. Yet, alcohol is ranked as one of the top 5 most addictive drugs, down to the imbalance it causes in the brain.

Similarly, to the above addictive drugs, alcohol produces happy chemicals, it provides a false sense of security, leering users in. As it’s classed as harmless, it is heavily misused, where signs and symptoms of addiction will be suppressed. Here is where the danger of developing a hidden addiction is common, linked to the misuse of alcohol.

Tackling a drug addiction

If you’re wondering ‘what are the top 5 most addictive drugs?’, above is a breakdown, covering illegal, legal and prescription drugs. Each are highly addictive, each are difficult to withdraw from, each carry high addiction probabilities.

If you’re unfortunately addicted or excessively rely on one of the most addictive drugs, it’s time to consider your unhealthy habit. You can tackle your addiction by reaching out to our team here at Action Rehab. Although your addiction may be new news to you, it is imperative that you consider the damages linked to the consumption of addictive drugs.

With our help, you can embark on a journey of drug and alcohol rehabilitation, helping you withdraw from some of the most addictive drugs across the world. Reach out today for our support, or for more information on drugs, their classifications and their impacts for the long-term.

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John Gillen - Author - Last updated: September 8, 2023

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.