The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) estimated that more than twenty-one million Americans (ages twelve and older) battled a substance use disorder in 2014. Substance addiction costs the U.S. upwards of $600 billion each year, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health.
Drug addiction is categorized by an inability to control drug use. Addictive drugs manipulate neural mechanisms in the brain’s reward pathway, heightening feelings of pleasure and relating positive memories with drug use. Repeated exposure to drugs may cause the brain to process information differently, creating a strong association between drugs and reward-based behavior.
This association is what makes drugs so addictive, as users can feel relaxed or euphoric when they’re high and sedated when they’re not. With long-term exposure to drugs, drug dependency may arise, which causes withdrawal symptoms and cravings in places where people cannot contain or consume the drugs.
When battling drug addiction, It is vital to learn what makes them addictive. Read on to know the top five most addictive drugs.
The Top 5 Most Addictive Drugs and What Makes Each So Addictive
1. Alcohol
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant widely consumed and used in celebratory situations. It is the most commonly used and abused substance in the world.
Consuming alcohol has been shown to trigger the release of endorphins and dopamine, a neurotransmitter that regulates pleasure and motivation and produces feelings of euphoria. It makes the individual feel happy, giddy, and relaxed.
Alcohol addiction often occurs as a result of seeking relief from stress, anxiety, or other emotional or mental health issues. But using alcohol to feel good can turn into a bad habit. Excessive drinking could lead to recurrent binge drinking, which can cause nausea, dizziness, and even blackouts.
The side effects of alcohol abuse are:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tremors or shaking
- Sleepwalking
- Confusion and disorientation
- Hallucinations
Alcohol abuse can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can cause death due to respiratory failure. Many health problems can arise from excessive alcohol consumption, such as liver damage, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
2. Nicotine
Nicotine is a chemical found in tobacco and is one of the main factors of tobacco’s addictive power. It is highly addictive and people can buy it in many forms, usually through cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, or electronic cigarettes.
It triggers the release of dopamine, giving the user a feeling of pleasure and relaxation, making it difficult to quit smoking. Nicotine is the reason why cigarette smoking is so addictive; it’s also why tobacco is responsible for the long-term health problems of those who smoke.
Nicotine is a Schedule II drug, like cocaine and methamphetamine. It’s particularly harmful to the body’s metabolism as it significantly increases it, leading to weight loss.
There are many harmful side effects of nicotine use. They include:
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Muscle weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Constipation
Nicotine addiction is a challenging problem to overcome. It’s one of the hardest substances to quit because it elevates the mood and suppresses the appetite.
3. Cocaine
Cocaine’s chemical name is benzoylmethylecgonine and comes from the leaves of the coca plant, which is native to Central and South America. It is processed into a white crystalline powder known as crack.
When it’s snorted, cocaine can cause an intense high lasting between fifteen and thirty minutes. But when it’s injected, this high only lasts for two to five minutes.
Cocaine addiction may occur after using the drug only once. It triggers the release of dopamine, invades the brain’s reward system, and stimulates the body with a craving for more. This is why many people are often hooked after a few uses.
The most common side effects of using cocaine are:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Risk of heart attack
- Delirium and paranoia
This highly addictive drug can cause an array of adverse effects. People who use cocaine have a high risk of dying from the overdose. Cocaine can also lead to heart attacks, seizures, strokes, and permanent damage to blood vessels in the brain.
4. Heroin
Heroin is a semi-synthetic opioid drug developed from morphine. Its chemical name is diacetylmorphine and comes as a white or brown powder or a black sticky substance known as black tar heroin.
When it’s injected, a user experiences a quick onset and short duration of the high, which is why heroin is sometimes referred to as “hard” or “sudden” heroin. It triggers dopamine release and acts as a painkiller, which is why it was used during World War II to treat injured soldiers during battles.
Heroin is highly addictive and has a very high relapse rate. It was named the most addictive substance according to a 2014 study, with a risk of relapse even after long periods of abstinence.
The effects of heroin are:
- Drowsiness
- Clouded reflexes
- Reduced sensitivity to pain
- Low body temperature
What’s more, heroin is a substance that can disrupt sleep and slow down the body’s metabolism, making users more susceptible to illnesses. Users can put their lives at risk when they mix the drug with other substances.
5. Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a potent stimulant that acts as a central nervous system stimulant and is chemically related to amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It’s known by many street names, including crystal meth, meth, ice, and speed.
Methamphetamine is a Schedule II drug and is highly addictive. It triggers the release of dopamine and adrenaline, which elevate mood and energy levels and produce feelings of euphoria.
Even though it is more potent than amphetamine, meth has more addiction potential than cocaine. The two drugs share many primary effects, including enhanced physical performance and increased libido.
The drug’s effects are:
- Reduced appetite
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate
- Elevated mood
- Hallucinations
- Anxiety and paranoia
- Nervousness
Methamphetamine’s effects on the body can be toxic, and it can overwork the body’s nervous system, causing damage to the brain cells.
Why Are They Addictive?
These five most addictive drugs are all unique and affect the brain in many ways. Various drugs have distinct characteristics and serve different purposes, from getting high to providing a rush and helping to numb physical pain. Addictive drugs all share one thing in common: they are habit-forming, and all begin by creating a powerful connection between the drug and the brain’s pleasure centers.
Over time, repeated exposure can lead to a person developing a tolerance to the drug, which means they need more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect. Tolerance can develop quickly. For example, the frequent use of cocaine can lead to tolerance in as short as two days.
Addictive drugs release dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain, making a user feel good. Repeated exposure to drugs can cause the brain to process information differently, creating a strong association between drugs and reward-based behavior. This association is what makes drugs so addictive, as users can feel relaxed or euphoric when they’re high and sedated when they’re not.
As the brain continues to adapt, some drugs produce higher levels of dopamine in the brain, which causes more cravings and drug use. With repeated use, it’s easy for someone to lose control over their drug use. Eventually, it becomes all-consuming, and the thought of not taking drugs dominates the user’s mind. The brain will change over an extended period, and drug use will become a way of life.
Conclusion
Drugs are a widespread problem in society and are not going away anytime soon. Drugs are highly addictive and can be easy to fall into. Some are even legal, giving users the freedom to do with them as they please.
In battling with drug addiction, you must know that the road to recovery is possible. With proper treatment and the support of your family and friends, you can become clean and overcome this obstacle in your life.
Source: https://www.princegeorgecountyva.gov/news_detail_T6_R1533.php