What Is the Most Addictive Drug?

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Addiction is the physical and mental state of dependence on a substance or behavior. According to SAMHSA, in 2021 24 million people struggled with substance abuse disorder.

Some drugs are highly addictive, often leading to increased and more frequent use or acting as a gateway to other, more addictive drugs. When we clearly understand the factors surrounding addiction, including the potency of certain drugs and how individuals react, we can better combat substance abuse. Read on to learn more about the most addictive drugs and how they affect people mentally and physically.

How Can We Measure Addictiveness?

There are many factors to consider when measuring addictiveness. The nature of addiction is fluid and can vary from person to person, making it difficult to develop a single concrete measurement. Thus, we have to look at several factors about the drug and the people using it to determine addictiveness.

The Role of Dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that serves several functions in the body, most notably creating a feeling of pleasure after a certain experience. For example, people often feel a dopamine rush after working out, getting good news or eating a favorite food. Drugs also create dopamine in the brain.

Once something gives us a dopamine rush, we tend to go back for more, including drugs. Drugs that generate more dopamine for extended periods tend to be more addictive. Additionally, the more someone uses a drug, the harder it is to get the same rush. They wind up increasing their dosage as they build up resistance.

Accounting for Variability

While many people may use the same drug, some will become addicted while others will not. Measuring a drug’s addictiveness is difficult because not everyone has the same experience. By using large survey sizes, scientists can get a more accurate measurement. Studies must also consider differences like genetics, life experiences, mental health, etc.

Methods of Assessment

There are several methods for assessing a drug’s addictiveness. The more strategies used, the more accurate the results. One approach is through self-reporting from those who are addicted. They can describe a drug’s effects and how strong the compulsion is to keep using that particular drug.

Researchers may also look at patterns of use and abuse for a particular drug. With a large sample size, they can make inferences about the addictiveness of a drug. Animal testing is another method for testing. Researchers can observe the effects of a drug on animals to determine addictiveness.

Drugs That Are Considered Highly Addictive

Almost all drugs have some level of addictiveness. Below are some of the drugs that tend to be the most addictive, according to researchers and those who experience substance abuse issues.

Opioids

Opioids are a group of highly addictive legal and illegal substances, including heroin, fentanyl and pain relievers like codeine, oxycodone and hydrocodone. They are also called narcotics.

Mechanism of Action

Doctors prescribe opioids as painkillers. Opioids trigger opioid receptors in the brain, cutting off pain signals from the body to the brain. Opioids can create a feeling of happiness, even in those who aren’t in physical pain, making them highly addictive.

Immediate and Long-Term Effects

In addition to a high, a person may experience drowsiness, nausea, slower breathing and constipation. Some people become unconscious or slip into a coma. In the long term, opioid users may experience continued stomach issues, liver and brain damage, and a weakened immune system. Long-term use may be fatal.

Rates of Addiction and Overdose

According to the NIH, over 16 million people in the world, including three million in the US, suffer or have suffered from opioid addiction. Opioids are the main cause of overdose. In 2021, opioids caused over 75% of overdose deaths.

Cocaine

Cocaine is an illegal drug made from the coca plant. It is a central nervous system stimulant and is usually administered through snorting.

Mechanism of Action

Cocaine generates dopamine in the pleasure receptors of the brain. Dopamine creates a sense of energy and alertness.

Immediate and Long-Term Effects

In addition to increased energy, the immediate effects of cocaine include anger, paranoia, euphoria and increased sensitivity. Continued use may lead to headaches, mood swings, lung and heart issues and seizures.

Rates of Addiction and Overdose

In 2021, almost 1.5 million people struggled with cocaine addiction during the past year. In the same year, over 24,000 people died from a cocaine-related overdose.

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine (meth) is typically an illegal drug that is sometimes used to treat ADHD. It affects the central nervous system and is a stimulant.

Mechanism of Action

People may snort, smoke, inject or swallow meth. Like cocaine, meth activates dopamine in the brain, giving the person a sense of pleasure.

Immediate and Long-Term Effects

In addition to a rush of energy, meth’s immediate effects include higher respiration and body temperature, a loss of appetite, shaking, anxiety and more. Meth may also damage the brain’s blood vessels. In the long term, meth may cause vision and memory loss, hallucinations, seizures, dental issues and even death.

Rates of Addiction and Overdose

In 2021, over 1.6 million people experienced meth abuse disorder. Over 32,000 people died from meth overdoses.

Nicotine

Nicotine is a stimulant and is the active ingredient in tobacco. People smoke or chew tobacco. Nicotine may also be found in vapes.

Mechanism of Action

Nicotine is a legal substance that simulates the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and binds to nicotinic receptors, causing the body to release more acetylcholine. This can lead to an extra energy boost.

Immediate and Long-Term Effects

People using nicotine may experience increased awareness, energy, relaxation and concentration. They may also cough and feel nauseous and dizzy. Cancer is one of the most severe long-term effects of nicotine use. People may also experience heart and lung problems and decreased cognitive function.

Rates of Addiction and Overdose

In 2021, over 8.5% of the American population struggled with nicotine addiction. Over 80% of smokers have a nicotine addiction. Nicotine overdose is rare and is not usually caused by smoking. However, many people die from long-term nicotine abuse.

Factors Influencing Addiction Potential

There are several factors that affect how addictive a substance may be.

Route of Administration

Some of the most common routes of administration include oral, intravenous, inhaling, snorting and smoking. Some routes lead to almost immediate gratification, particularly inhaling/smoking and injection. The quicker a person can get high, the more likely they will become addicted.

Onset and Duration of Effects

A faster onset of effects leads to a higher chance of addiction. Drugs with shorter effects often generate an intense high. As the high wears off, the person will seek the high again.

Social and Cultural Factors

Some social groups are an encouraging factor in addiction. Peer pressure, in particular, can lead to addiction in younger people. Some cultures are more susceptible to substance abuse, especially those with high poverty rates.

Psychological Factors

Several psychological factors play a role in addiction. A person’s age, mental health and life experiences can all make them more prone to addiction. People with more stressors are also more likely to form addictions.

Biological Factors

A person’s likelihood of addiction is tied to their genetics. Some families have genes that make them more likely to become addicted. Other biological factors like gender and ethnicity can also affect addiction.

Controversies and Challenges in Defining the “Most Addictive Drug

Naming one drug as the “most addictive” is difficult because so many factors are involved, and some are challenging to measure.

Multifaceted Nature of Addiction

Addiction is multifaceted – there isn’t one single factor that makes a drug addictive. Since it involves social, biological and scientific aspects, many variables differ from person to person.

Personal Experience and Anecdotal Evidence

There are challenges when studying a drug’s addictiveness by surveying people who’ve used the drug. Much of the reports may be anecdotal, making it difficult to count them as concrete evidence.

Changing Landscape of Drug Use and Abuse

Drugs are not stagnant. Illegal drug developers develop new drugs and work to make existing drugs more potent. For example, synthetic opioids are just as addictive, if not more so, than natural opioids.

Comparing Legal vs. Illegal Substances

It can be challenging to compare the potency of legal and illegal substances as the use patterns vary. There are also ethical concerns when testing people who abuse illicit substances.

Putting It All Together

Because so many factors and variables are involved in addictiveness, it’s difficult to label one drug as the “most addictive.” Still, with the drug epidemic increasing, it’s vital that we isolate what factors lead to addiction. The more we understand, the better we can help others struggling with substance abuse. It’s imperative that researchers continue to study the many facets of addiction. Researchers must also keep the public aware of the factors surrounding addiction to help prevent substance abuse.

Are You or a Loved One Struggling With Addiction? We Can Help

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, Live Free Recovery Services can help. We offer inpatient and outpatient treatments. Contact us today to learn more.

References

• https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/01/04/samhsa-announces-national-survey-drug-use-health-results-detailing-mental-illness-substance-use-levels-2021.html
• https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/dopamine-the-pathway-to-pleasure
• https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/delivery
• https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-misuse-addiction
• https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448203/#:~:text=Three%20million%20US%20citizens%20and,in%20a%20year%20time%20period.
• https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/deaths/index.html#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20106%2C699%20drug%20overdose,driver%20of%20drug%20overdose%20deaths
• https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-scope-cocaine-use-in-united-states
• https://www2.courtinfo.ca.gov/stopteendui/teens/resources/substances/meth/short-and-long-term-effects.cfm
• https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-scope-methamphetamine-misuse-in-united-states
• https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/nicotine/