Curious about what the ten most addictive drugs in the world are? Drug addiction isn’t a new phenomenon: it has been around ever since men started consuming nature’s various substances in different ways, and experiencing the various stimuli on their system that resulted. That led to the drug’s continued use to experience that effect over and over again.
Nevertheless, over the past decades, new drugs have been developed, and many of them have been refined and perfected, creating powerful drugs that are highly addictive. Getting addicted to a certain drug is related to different factors which determine the level of dependency it produces. Each drug has a particular degree of addictiveness. Overcoming such an addict might be one of the hardest and most challenging things to face in life. The physical effect they produce, along with the emotional and psychological state in which individuals are immersed makes drug addictions very difficult to conquer. Furthermore, given their chemical characteristics, some drugs can cause radical neurological changes.
These days, some drugs have become legal, and their use accepted and admitted within society. Marijuana, for instance, has been legalized in many parts of the world, and its usage has been acknowledged even by some celebrities. Take a look at our list of The 5 Biggest Celebrity Stoners Who Love Their Reefer, and find out which celebrities are known pot smokers. Names such as Stephen King, Morgan Freeman and Seth Rogen are among those on the list.
Other drugs have always been legal, and yet produce very high levels of addiction. For example, Alcohol and Benzodiazepines have some of the highest dependency rates in the world among all drugs.
Taking all of this into account, we wanted to create a list featuring most addictive drugs in the world. The ranking was made taking into account research conducted by a team of scientists, which evaluated different drugs’ addictive potency, and created a scale of 0 to 3, as to measure their effect.
Take a look at the ten most addictive drugs in the world, the list might surprise you!
No. 10 Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
Dependence Rating: 1.71
GHB is a synthetic drug which affects the natural chemical GABA effects, which regulate anxiety levels. It is a known as a date rape drug, and it acts for approximately 2-4 hours. When combined with alcohol, the two substances increase the levels of dependency. Its quitting can produce intense side effects such as hallucinations, insomnia, and high anxiety levels.
No. 9 Benzodiazepines
Dependence Rating: 1.89
Benzodiazepines are all around. Popular names such as Xanax, Valium or Klonopin are anti-anxiety prescription drugs which increase the brain’s GABA system, which lowers anxiety levels and reduces the excitability of neurons in the brain. Yet, as the body starts adapting to the effects of these drugs, it builds up tolerance, producing the need to increase the drug dose. People do not feel the need to quit them, and their withdrawal has to be done carefully, as it can cause high levels of anxiety and panic attacks.
No. 8 Amphetamines
Dependence Rating: 1.95
Although amphetamines are not as addictive as methamphetamines, these drugs act directly on the neuronal reward system. Drugs like Adderall and Dexedrine can replicate the effect of dopamine naturally produced by the brain, and create a hard to overcome dependence. Moreover, amphetamines produce confidence, euphoria, weight loss and energy, along with feelings of self-accomplishment. Therefore, it is highly addictive, and its withdrawal is very hard, with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fatigue.
T7. Cocaine
Dependence Rating: 2.13
Cocaine has a long history. In the beginning, it was not considered to be addictive, or even affect the body’s well-being. Yet, it has been proven that its effect on the brain can cause confusion in neural receptors, and furthermore, inhibit the natural production of dopamine. The need to sustain the levels of dopamine, leads to the constant consuming of cocaine, making it extremely addictive.
T6. Alcohol
Dependence Rate: 2.13
It’s no news that alcohol, although being a legal substance, produces strong levels of dependency. Alcohol deeply affects the nervous system, and can alter the production of two main brain chemicals: Dopamine and Endorphins. The thing about alcohol dependency is that given the fact that it is a legal drug, its use and abuse can become quite easy. Yet, quitting this addiction is very difficult, and in some cases it can even produce abstinence effects, which might lead to seizures, comas, or even death.
No. 5 Methamphetamine or Crystal meth
Dependency Rate: 2.24
Chemically developed, Methamphetamine mimics the effects of dopamine and norepinephrine, the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of adrenaline. This drug has a negative feedback loop, and its sustained usage can cause neurons to release high levels of these two substances, saturating the brain. Eventually, the natural adrenaline production can be suppressed by methamphetamine, making its dependency extremely strong.
No. 4 Methadone
Dependency Rate: 2.68
This opiate derivate medication is usually used to cure morphine addiction. It replicates the effects of heroin, without the collateral damage it does. Although when used medically it has quite a low rate of addiction, lots of people use it recreationally, and become addicted. Its withdrawal is hard, and can cause important physical and psychological disruptions.
T2. Nicotine
Dependence Rating: 2.82
This is another legal drug which has been recognized as one of the most addictive drugs in the world. Nicotine increases levels of dopamine in the system, and creates new brain receptors, inhibiting the production of vitally needed neurochemicals. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nicotine has an 85% relapse rate.
T2. Crack Cocaine
Dependence Rating: 2.82
Crack cocaine became popular during the 1980’s. It is considered the purest form of cocaine and it is usually smoked through a glass hand pipe. Stimulating the reward system, neurotransmitters produce intense body pleasure.
No. 1 Heroin
Dependence Rating: 2.89
This drug has gained quite a reputation. It is considered to be the most addictive narcotic because of its quick effect on the brain, experiences which addicts call a “heroin rush”. This drug activates a number of neurological receptors, causing extreme dependency and addiction. Specialists estimate that 25% of people who try heroin become addicted to it.