Are Some Drugs More Addictive Than Others?

Addiction is one of the most pervasive health concerns of 2020, and will probably continue to be a public health threat for quite some time. While the opioid epidemic has brought a lot of attention to the issue of addiction, it can also cause some misconceptions. One thing that people often question is the idea of what’s “addictive.” Are there some drugs that are more addictive than others? If so, what are they, and what should a person watch out for?

Highly Addictive Drugs

Some drugs are truly more addictive than others. Some are considered highly addictive – meaning some users hit the ground running with addiction shortly after they try a particular substance for the first time. Sometimes it takes a while for somebody to become addicted. Usually, a person will begin to build a tolerance and seek more of the drug to get high. Young people with mental health disorders are often more vulnerable to addiction as a co-occurring disorder.

• Heroin, opioids, and opiates. Drugs like Oxycontin, Tramadol, and Percocet are highly addictive. They can cause physical withdrawal that is incredibly painful or uncomfortable, which makes it much harder for users to quit.

• Methamphetamine and speed. These drugs can make users lose sleep, forget to eat, and spend a lot of time using or getting more of the drugs. The withdrawal effects can be severe.

• Alcohol.  While many people overlook alcohol as a drug, it’s one of the most addictive substances. Alcohol addiction is one of the most pervasive addictions in the world, and withdrawal for long-term users can be dangerous without medical supervision.

• Barbiturates and benzodiazepines. While not commonly prescribed, barbiturates have been used for muscle relaxation and anxiety. An example is a phenobarbital, a very heavy drug used for sedation. Benzodiazepines are now widely prescribed for the same purposes. Klonopin and Valium are commonly abused benzodiazepines. Even when a user is not addicted, quitting these drugs can be tricky. Usually, a user has to carefully plan to taper to reduce the possibility of dangerous withdrawal effects such as seizures.

These are some of the most well-known addictive drugs, but almost any drug can be addictive if it makes a user feel good. The danger comes when a person needs to take more and more to get the same effects, developing a tolerance. A drug user may also start to take more risks while high or to get high, creating a cycle of abuse that destroys their personal lives.

Help for Addiction and Substance Use

No matter what drug you’ve taken or how much you use, there is help available. You can get sober, and you can recover. COVID-19 may have changed the way do intakes, but support is still available, and you deserve to live life to the fullest. Call us at 855-409-8869 to learn more about how we can help you and your family.