Substance abuse is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. It occurs when you consume too much or in the wrong way. These substances include alcohol, prescription medications, and other legal and illicit substances.
Addiction is not similar to substance abuse. Most people struggling with substance abuse can quit or adjust their destructive habits.
On the other hand, addiction is a disease. It implies that you are unable to stop utilizing it even though your condition is causing you harm.
Here are some substances that can cause high risks of addiction when abused.
Let’s dive in!
7 Most Addictive Substances
Substance abuse can lead to significant health problems and severe problems with family, friends, coworkers, employment, money, and the law.
Despite these issues, many continue using drugs.
Why?
Addiction is defined as a physical dependency on a chemical substance. When a person quits taking the substance, they experience unpleasant symptoms known as withdrawal.
People often start using addictive substances because they enjoy it at first. Unfortunately for them, the pleasure is typically gone when addiction has established.
These drugs include:
#1. Alcohol
Chronic alcoholism is a degenerative condition that begins between the ages of 20 and 40 and progresses in phases. The first stage entails using the drug to de-stress.
The physical dependence on the substance develops during this time. Later, the person becomes increasingly obsessed with acquiring alcohol during the second stage.
When drinking, he or she may lose control, blackout, or forget alcohol-related experiences.
In the third stage, changes in conduct and personality begin to emerge. For instance, a person might develop aggressive behavior and a complete lack of understanding.
Finally, continued use of alcohol has a negative impact on a person’s physical and emotional health, resulting in a substantial decrease in their ability to operate.
Long-term abuse of alcohol can raise the likelihood and severity of pneumonia, tuberculosis, damage the heart, resulting in heart failure, and produce liver cirrhosis resulting in liver failure.
Restlessness, agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and seizures are some hazards associated with alcohol withdrawal. Besides, alcohol withdrawal, in its most severe form, can be life-threatening and necessitate hospitalization.
#2. Tobacco
Nicotine addiction can develop quickly if you smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chew tobacco, or snuff.
In the United States, about 45 million people use nicotine somehow. Over 50% of smokers light a cigarette within half an hour of waking up, and 30% have never stayed for over a week without smoking.
Most tobacco smokers wish they never began. On the other hand, just 5% of smokers succeed in quitting on their first try, and only 3% to 5% manage to stay tobacco-free for a year.
Addiction takes hold immediately and lasts for a long time.
Addicts claim that quitting cocaine and heroin is simpler than quitting cigarettes. This implies that individuals can potentially become addicted to cigarettes more than to nearly any other drug in our society.
Tobacco is relatively inexpensive, readily available, and socially acceptable compared to other addictive substances.
Besides, tobacco smokers quickly adapt to negative consequences, such as poor taste or odor.
However, there are some reasons to stop or avoid using cigarettes.
First, tobacco usage raises the risk of tongue, throat, lung, lip cheek, esophageal, bladder, and cervix cancers.
Smoking also elevates blood pressure, causes blood clots more easily, limits oxygen delivery to the heart, and destroys artery walls.
#3. Heroin
This illegal substance is a natural alternative to prescribed opioid drugs. Initially, heroin provides you with a rush of wonderful feelings.
When it wears off, everything comes to a halt. You’ll have chills, nausea, and anxiousness, moving and thinking more slowly.
You could feel compelled to use more heroin to feel better.
#4. Cocaine
This drug accelerates your entire body. You may talk, move, or think very quickly when consuming cocaine. You can also feel cheerful and energized.
However, your mood may subsequently turn to one of rage. You may feel as if someone is out to get you.
The use of cocaine may lead you to do illogical things. Long-term use will result in significant cravings for the drug or addiction.
#5. Marijuana
A rising number of states have approved marijuana for medical purposes. In contrast, some states have legalized marijuana for recreational use. However, it is still prohibited in the majority of states.
Marijuana can make you feel stupid and laugh for no apparent reason. Alternatively, you can end up drowsy and forget what has just occurred.
Driving while on marijuana is fatal and leads to a high risk of death since it’s similar to drinking and driving.
Heavy use of marijuana can cause some people to become “burned out,” meaning they don’t think or care about much.
#6. Opiates
These drugs affect the central nervous system by stimulating the brain’s “reward center,” which governs pleasure feelings. They include illicit narcotics like heroin and medicinal painkillers like morphine and codeine.
Opiates are drugs that imitate the benefits of healthy, pleasurable activities like sex or eating. On the other hand, opiates can cause some of the brain’s most important functions, such as breathing, to slow down or cease operating while in excessive dosages.
Because heroin is regularly injected, users are in danger of contracting HIV and hepatitis, which can be spread via sharing needles.
#7. Methamphetamine
This potent stimulant, snorted, injected or smoked, is quite addictive.
Methamphetamine, mostly known as “meth”, speeds up the heart rate or causes hyperthermia or a very high body temperature.
This drug can lead to sleeplessness, anxiety, and psychotic signs such as hallucinations if used continuously.
The drug is acidic, and it can wear down teeth over time, causing severe dental problems. Even worse, users frequently grind their teeth, causing more damage.
Lastly, people who inject methamphetamine, like heroin addicts, are at risk for HIV and hepatitis due to sharing syringes.
It’s a Wrap!
Using drugs, be it smoking marijuana, drinking beer, or snorting cocaine carries risks such as addiction and death.
Knowing the consequences can help you make the right decisions which are good for your health. Identifying the problem is the first step in getting assistance if you or someone you care about is addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Many people believe that they can solve the problem themselves, but this rarely works. It would be better to find someone you can trust and talk to them.
Initially, your age mate or friend may be helpful, but seeking help from an understanding and supportive adult is your best option.
If you cannot speak with your parents, consider speaking with a school counselor, relative, favorite teacher, religious leader, or doctor.
