The Most Common Drug Addictions In The United States

According to the latest government statistics, an estimated 20.4 million people in the United States have used some kind of illicit drug within the past 30 days. Prescription drugs continue to be a problem, illicit’s like heroin, meth and marijuana and now new synthetics.

But, what are the most commonly abused drugs in the United States?

The Most Common Drugs of Abuse

Though there are many drugs available to addicts here in the US, they have been narrowed down to the top 5 substances that addicts are most commonly hooked on.

• Marijuana: Studies have shown that long-term use of marijuana causes a drop in IQ levels as well as the loss of other cognitive abilities such as thinking, computing and memory. The potency of marijuana continues to get more and more powerful. A recent test of thousands of samples of marijuana plants done by the University of Mississippi’s Potency Monitoring Project found that the levels of THC in today’s marijuana has been found to exceed 30 percent as compared to 4 percent back in 1983.
• Cocaine: Crack cocaine acts as a stimulant and this takes a major toll on not only the heart, but other organs as well. In fact, even one use of the drug may result in respiratory failure, a stroke, a heart attack and even death. Long-term use of crack cocaine can cause loss of sexual function. It can also cause the user to develop a hole in the wall that separates the two nostrils, know as the septum. Long-term use of the drug can cause destruction to the lungs, brain, heart and digestive tract.
• Opiates: Opioids are used to treat acute pain and include such prescription drugs as morphine, methadone, hydrocodone and oxycodone. Opioids stimulate the areas of the brain that receive pleasure and in turn produce a sense of well-being and euphoria. Repeated use of these types of drugs begin to overwhelm the system with dopamine and, in time, the body thinks it needs the drug in order to survive and this is how addiction begins. The use of opioids to treat pain dates back to before recorded history, with the use of the opium poppy for its therapeutic benefits. Many people become addicted to opioid painkillers after being prescribed this type of medication for an injury or to manage the pain after an operation.
• Methamphetamine: This extremely addictive drug is mostly made in illegal meth labs using toxic chemicals that can be found in common household products. The effects may include euphoria, increased libido, hyperactivity, restlessness, insomnia, heart attack and stroke.
• Alcohol: Consuming alcohol can directly affect the heart and liver, putting them at risk for disease. Brain function can also be impaired as alcohol works directly on the central nervous system. Long-term abuse of alcohol can actually destroy brain cells and cause brain damage.

 

Know the Signs of Abuse

If you are concerned that someone you know may be using drugs, pay attention for indicators such as sudden change in behavior, loss of interest in favorite activities, mood swings and withdrawal from family and friends. If you do notice any of these things, contact a professional for advise on taking further action.