Drug abuse not only puts a person at risk of overdosing, but it also has short and long-term effects on physical, emotional, and mental health. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the most commonly abused drugs and answer the following:
- What is Drug Abuse?
- What Drugs Have A High Abuse Potential?
- What 3 Prescription Drugs Are Most Commonly Abused?
- What are the Signs of Drug Abuse?
- Does Drug of Choice Matter in Detox?
What is Drug Abuse?
Drug abuse is characterized by the misuse of substances, such as alcohol, pain medications, or illicit drugs, in order to achieve a “high” or pleasurable effect on the brain. Drug abuse can look like many things, including:
- Using a prescription incorrectly
- Taking illegal drugs in any capacity
- Misusing OTC or store-bought drugs
- Overconsumption of alcohol
What Drugs Have A High Abuse Potential?
Any drug, no matter how accessible or “safe,” has the potential to be abused. Even Tylenol can be overdosed on when taken incorrectly. We’ll take a closer look at a range of highly abused drugs below, ranging from socially acceptable substances like alcohol all the way to less acceptable choices like heroin.
Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the most accessible yet abused drugs worldwide. In the United States alone, 29.5 million people ages 12 and older have an alcohol use disorder. Alcohol is socially accepted, and anyone of legal age can go to their local store to buy it. While the development of alcohol addiction can derive from many factors, especially family history and mental health conditions, the effects are damaging nonetheless.
Some major health risks associated with alcoholism include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and liver disease. It can be challenging to recognize alcoholism due to being such an integrated societal substance, making it more difficult to treat.
Benzos
When prescribed, benzos can aid in relief from anxiety and muscle spasms. That said, the release of dopamine, when used, makes benzos highly addictive—5.3 million adults in the U.S. misuse benzodiazepine annually. Chronic benzo use is tied to cognitive decline, which contributes to health conditions like dementia. Likewise, the body can develop dependence over time, and coming off of Benzos can result in uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Cocaine
In the U.S., around 4.8 million people used cocaine in 2021, and over 24,000 people died due to an overdose of the drug. You’re always taking a risk when you use cocaine, and its high addiction rate makes it significantly susceptible to the risk of overdose. Because of this, cocaine is considered one of the most dangerous illicit substances abused.
Heroin
Heroin is incredibly addictive and a highly abused illicit drug. In 2021, over one million Americans reported heroin use. In the same year, 9,173 people died from an overdose involving heroin. Heroin has detrimental long-term effects on health, including the risk of HIV and hepatitis through injection and collapsed veins. Once the body becomes dependent on heroin, stopping the drug can result in withdrawal symptoms like bone pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. This is when professional intervention is required to safely and effectively detox from the drug.
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug sometimes used in the treatment of ADHD or obesity. That said, it’s also incredibly addictive and directly impacts the user’s central nervous system. When misused, a person can quickly become addicted to methamphetamine and develop adverse side effects and health risks. In 2021, 1.6 million people had a methamphetamine use disorder, and 32,537 people died from an overdose involving the substance. Like other highly addictive drugs, methamphetamine can cause unwanted withdrawal symptoms, and a detox should be done in a professional setting.
What 3 Prescription Drugs Are Most Commonly Abused?
Opioids
Opioids are prescribed for pain relief, but long-term use can, unfortunately, lead to a physical dependence on them. In the U.S., three million people have an opioid use disorder and 16 million worldwide.
Central Nervous System Depressants
CNS depressants are designed to slow down the central nervous system and help treat various conditions, including sleep and anxiety disorders. Their powerful relaxation and sedation effects are often misused long after treatment, leading to physical dependence.
Stimulants
Prescription stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin are used to achieve their euphoric effects. While these drugs are used in the treatment of conditions like ADHD and narcolepsy, they’re also highly addictive and must be monitored closely. As of 2023, around 5 million people in the U.S. were actively abusing prescription stimulants.
Signs of Drug Abuse
The signs of drug abuse are either physical or psychological. Whether you’re evaluating your own state of drug use or you’re concerned for a loved one, consider the following common signs of drug abuse:
- Persistent or unsuccessful attempts to decrease or stop drug use
- Withdrawal symptoms when stopping drug use
- Using a prescription drug in a way that goes against its instructions (taking larger than recommended dosages, using another person’s prescription)
- Requiring a larger amount of the drug to achieve the same effect
If any of these resonate, consider reaching out to your healthcare professional or a treatment center to receive an official diagnosis and begin treatment for drug addiction and abuse.
Does Drug of Choice Matter in Detox?
Drug abuse is drug abuse, no matter whether it’s a prescription, illicit, or store-bought. If your life is being negatively affected by using a certain substance, your next step should be to detox. Always consult with a professional treatment center when choosing to detox. This way, you’ll be monitored for safety as you begin the first step in recovery.
Harmony Junction Offers Safe, Effective Recovery from Addiction
There’s never a better time to get help than the present. Our team at Harmony Junction Recovery can put a treatment plan in place that’s individualized to your specific needs. Reach out today to learn more about our detox program and science-backed therapies.
Clint earned a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology in 2012. With 5 years in drug and alcohol treatment and 8 years in private practice, he specializes in helping clients uncover obstacles to living their envisioned life. Leveraging his experience, Clint supports clients in finding the motivation to make meaningful life changes.
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