There are over 23 million adults struggling with various types of drug addiction in the United States alone. Unfortunately, 75% of those people will not get the treatment they need to overcome the addictive drugs that have a hold on their lives.
We are going to highlight the top 5 drug addictions in this simple guide to help shed light on addiction as a disease and help people find their way into recovery. Let’s get started!
1. Opioids
Opioids are arguably the most addictive drugs of all time. The term Opioids includes all synthetic, semi-synthetic, and natural sources of Opioids, whereas the term Opiate is exclusive to natural sources such as Morphine and Heroin.
No matter the source, natural or synthetic, the Opioid class of drugs are highly addictive, and abuse can lead to death. Most people who are addicted to Heroin first begin their addiction with prescription pain killers that contain Opioids.
2. Alcohol
Alcohol is a tricky substance abuse to diagnose, treat, and overcome. In addition, alcohol use is not illegal like other drugs, and it is readily available on almost every corner, making it almost impossible to avoid.
Alcohol is a depressant and often an alcohol detox is necessary, and it is often used in conjunction with other depressant drugs, a potentially deadly combination. As we said, it can be hard to diagnose alcoholism because people will often hide their drinking from friends and family members. Therefore, treating substance abuse takes the support of family as well as a medical professional.
3. Crack/Cocaine
Cocaine is a white powdery substance that is usually snorted, but it can be “cooked” and turned into a rock-like substance known as Crack, which is usually smoked. Crack is especially addictive, and users must frequently use the drug to maintain their “high,” which leads to extremely addictive behaviors.
The effects of both Crack and Cocaine are seen almost immediately. There are physical and mental signs of use like dilated pupils, restlessness, and agitation, so it can be easier to detect than other drugs.
4. Methamphetamine
Methamphetamines are a synthetic class of stimulant drugs also known as Meth or Crystal. Meth is highly addictive and can be injected, snorted, or smoked. As the substance abuse of Meth continues, it will take hold of the person who is addicted and could lead to psychosis or death.
According to the CDC, Psychostimulants such as Methamphetamines are increasingly the cause of overdose deaths in the United States. Because Meth can be synthesized, it is often created in neighborhood houses and apartments, adding an additional level of danger to the drug.
5. Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medication
We touched on prescription drugs before, but there are other addictive prescription drugs besides Opioids, including the following:
- Benzodiazepines
- Barbituates
- Amphetamines
These prescription drugs are often legally prescribed by a doctor and then misused and abused by patients. The drugs have various effects ranging from being depressants to stimulants.
Additionally, some over-the-counter medication is highly addictive and easy to access, such as cough medicine and Pseudoephedrine. Substance abuse of these medications can be difficult to spot because of the legality of the drugs.
Managing the Different Types of Drug Addiction
These are the top 5 different types of drug addiction that you might be faced with if you or someone you love suffers from substance abuse. Admitting that there is a problem is the first step, and it can be the most difficult. But with the right resources and help, drug addiction can be overcome!
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