Drug Abuse, Addiction, And Treatment Options

Drug and alcohol addiction affects millions of individuals and families in the United States, and is defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse as a chronic, relapsing condition.

Drug addiction can affect all areas of a person’s life, and no one is immune. Drug and alcohol addictions are seen in people of all ages, races, ethnicities, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Different Types Of Drug Addiction

One of the key facts to understand about drug addiction is that it can look and affect people differently depending on the drug of abuse.

There are many different types of substances that can be abused and become addictive over time. Here, you’ll find a list of some of the most commonly abused substances.

Depressants

Depressants are substances that slow central nervous system (CNS) activity. This can have physical effects, such as reduced heart rate, as well as effects on the brain.

Depressants are known for their ability to produce a sense of calmness, relaxation, and sometimes euphoria with misuse or high doses.

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the United States. An estimated two-thirds of U.S. adults drink alcohol. About 14.5 million people are estimated to have an alcohol use disorder.

Read more about alcohol addiction

Opioids

Opioid drugs, also known as opiates, are a class of analgesic drugs used to treat moderate pain, severe pain, and chronic pain. These drugs are habit-forming and can be highly addictive.

Common opioid drugs include:

• OxyContin (oxycodone)
• Dilaudid (hydromorphone)
• Vicodin (hydrocodone)
• Norco (hydrocodone/acetaminophen)
• Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen)
• Opana (oxymorphone)
• Opium
• Demerol (meperidine)
• fentanyl
• Ultram (tramadol)
• morphine
• codeine (Tylenol 3, Tylenol 4)
• methadone
• buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex, Zubsolv)

Taking high doses of opioids or mixing opioids with other drugs can lead to life-threatening overdose. Overdosing on opioids can lead to respiratory depression, loss of consciousness, brain damage, and death.

Read more about opioid addiction

Illicit Opioids

Not all opioid drugs are legal in the United States. There are several illicit, or illegal, opioid drugs commonly bought on the street.

Illicit opioids include:

• heroin
• black tar heroin
• fentanyl (illegally manufactured)
• carfentanil

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 80 percent of people who use heroin say they took prescription opioids prior to their heroin use.

Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that can be deadly even in small doses. It is often cut with heroin, unbeknownst to those who buy it.

Marijuana

Marijuana, also known as weed, cannabis, or pot—is a depressant that can cause relaxation, hunger, and euphoria. It is fully legalized in multiple states nationwide. It remains illegal on a federal level.

Cannabis is a natural drug that can be smoked, vaped, or swallowed. Medical marijuana is currently legal in most states and is used for the treatment of certain medical conditions.

Read more about marijuana addiction

Stimulants

Stimulants are a class of drugs that stimulate the central nervous system, which can cause increased energy, focus, heart rate, breathing, and body temperature.

Stimulant drugs include:

• cocaine
• methamphetamine (meth)
• amphetamines
• khat
• flakka
• kratom
• synthetic cathinones (bath salts)

The misuse of stimulants has been associated with serious health risks, including heart attack, seizures, convulsions, and violent or bizarre behavior.

Stimulant drugs can become addictive, and may also be life-threatening if taken in excessive amounts or when mixed with other drugs, including depressants like opioids.

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens, commonly referred to as ‘party drugs’ or ‘club drugs,’ are substances that can distort someone’s sense of reality.

Hallucinogens can alter a person’s feelings, thoughts, and awareness of their surroundings. Some hallucinogenic drugs, such as ecstasy, also have stimulant effects.

Hallucinogens include:

• LSD (D-lysergic acid diethylamide)
• MDMA (ecstasy/molly)
• psilocybin (mushrooms)
• mescaline (peyote)
• DMT

Hallucinogens can be addictive in some people. These drugs are most often used recreationally, but can lead to physical dependence, withdrawal, and cravings in people who use them regularly.

Read more about hallucinogen addiction

Dissociative Drugs

Dissociative drugs are a type of hallucinogen. These drugs are different from classic hallucinogens in that they can cause dissociative effects in addition to hallucinations.

Dissociative drugs include:

• phencyclidine (PCP)
• ketamine
• salvia

Dissociative drugs like PCP can have dangerous effects, particularly in high doses. High doses of hallucinogens may cause persistent psychosis, very high body temperature, and heart problems.

Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs, like any illicit drug, can become drugs of abuse. An estimated 18 million people aged 12 and older in the United States reported misusing a prescription drug in 2017.

Examples of prescription drug misuse include:

• crushing and snorting tablets
• taking higher doses than prescribed
• taking drugs for reasons other than prescribed
• taking doses more often
• taking someone else’s prescription

Taking prescription drugs in any way other than prescribed can be a sign of drug abuse. This can lead to physical dependence, addiction, and other negative effects on health over time.

Prescription Amphetamines

Amphetamines are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. These drugs are commonly prescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults.

Amphetamine abuse is common among teens, college students, and young adults who may take the drugs for their ability to boost energy, focus, suppress appetite, and produce euphoria.

Prescription amphetamines include:

• Adderall
• Concerta
• Ritalin
• Vyvanse

Prescription amphetamines can become addictive. They can also cause physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

Read more about amphetamine addiction

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are a class of medications prescribed to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders, and other mood disorders.

Common antidepressants include:

• Zoloft (sertraline)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Elavil (amitriptyline)
• Lexapro (escitalopram)
• Wellbutrin (bupropion)
• Luvox (fluvoxamine)
• Remeron (mirtazapine)
• trazodone
• Seroquel (quetiapine)

Antidepressants are not common drugs of abuse. While chronic use can lead to antidepressant tolerance and physical dependence, most are not known to be addictive.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, also known as “benzos,” are prescription sedatives, or hypnotics. They work in the body by depressing CNS activity and can alter the balance of certain brain chemicals.

Benzodiazepines are most commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and sometimes insomnia due to their ability to slow down activity in the brain.

Benzodiazepine drugs include:

• Ativan (lorazepam)
• Xanax (alprazolam)
• Klonopin (clonazepam)
• Valium (diazepam)
• Librium (chlordiazepoxide)
• Halcion (triazolam)
• Restoril (temazepam)

Benzodiazepines are generally prescribed as a short-term treatment. Long-term use can lead to severe dependence and withdrawal. When misused, benzodiazepines can be addictive.

Read more about benzodiazepine addiction

Barbiturates

Barbiturates are a class of powerful sedatives. Historically, they have been prescribed for seizures, convulsions, anxiety, and insomnia.

Prescription barbiturates include:

• Fioricet (butalbital)
• Butisol (butabarbital)
• Luminal (phenobarbital)
• Nembutal (pentobarbital)
• Amytal (amobarbital)
• Seconal (secobarbital)

Due to their high risk of overdose and other harmful side effects, barbiturates are less commonly prescribed than they used to be with the development of newer, safer drugs.

Read more about barbiturate addiction

Sleep Medications

Prescription sleep aids are strong sedative-hypnotics that can cause sleepiness, as well as dizziness, disorientation, sleep-walking, and changes in appetite.

Common sleep medications include:

• Ambien (zolpidem)
• Lunesta (eszopiclone)
• Belsomra (suvorexant)
• Sonata (zaleplon)
• Imovane (zopiclone)

Prescription sleep aids can be misused for their sedative effects. Taking prescription sleep aids with other sedatives—such as benzodiazepines or opioids—can have dangerous effects, including overdose.

Read more about sleeping pill addiction

Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids are synthetic drugs that can boost hormones in the body. They are commonly misused as performance-enhancing drugs, to increase muscle mass and decrease body fat.

Anabolic steroids include:

• Oxandrin (nandrolone)
• Anadrol-50 (oxymetholone)
• Anadrol (oxandrolone)
• stanozolol

Anabolic steroids can have harmful side effects when misused. Chronic abuse can cause liver and kidney damage, enlarged heart, extreme anger, and stunted growth in adolescents.

Other Prescription Drugs

Other prescription drugs can lead to drug tolerance, dependence, and psychological addiction in some people. The addictive potential of these drugs can vary.

Other prescription drugs of abuse include:

• Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine): Flexeril is a muscle relaxant.
• gabapentin (Horizant, Neurontin): Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and nerve pain medication.
• pregabalin (Lyrica): Pregabalin is a nerve pain medication. It can also be prescribed to treat seizures.
• atomoxetine (Strattera): Strattera is an ADHD medication and stimulant.
• buspirone (Buspar): Buspar is a non-benzodiazepine drug used to treat anxiety.
• doxylamine (Unisom): Unisom is a prescription antihistamine used for the treatment of insomnia and allergy symptoms.
• sildenafil (Viagra): Viagra is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).
• dexmethylphenidate (Focalin): Focalin is a prescription stimulant used to treat ADHD.
• dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine): Dexedrine is a prescription stimulant used to treat ADHD.
• modafinil (Provigil): Modafinil is a controlled substance that is generally prescribed to treat narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea.

Amphetamines, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines are the most commonly abused prescription drugs. Other prescription drugs can be habit-forming, but are less often misused.

Inhalants

Inhalants are substances that can be inhaled, with mind-altering effects. Inhalants include aerosols, gases, and solvents commonly found in household products.

Common inhalants include:

• aerosols: spray paint, hair spray, deodorant spray, vegetable oil spray, cleaning products
• gases: butane lighters, propane tanks, whipped cream dispensers
• solvents: paint thinners, glue, lighter fluid, gasoline, felt-tip marker fluid
• nitrites: room odorizer, leather cleaner, liquid aroma, prescription nitrites

Inhalant abuse can affect mood, behavior, and may lead to addiction. Inhalants can also cause delusions and hallucinations.

Over The Counter Drugs

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are substances that can be bought over the counter at a store or pharmacy. These drugs do not require a prescription.

Although unlikely to be addictive, some OTC drugs are misused. This is more likely in people with a history of abusing other drugs or alcohol.

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs of abuse include:

• diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• DXM/cough syrup
• loperamide (Imodium)
• Tylenol PM

Some OTC drugs, such as Tylenol PM, are crushed and mixed with other drugs such as heroin. Over-the-counter drug misuse can have negative side effects, including tolerance and dependence.

Other Substances Of Abuse

Not all drugs require a prescription or are necessarily bought at a pharmacy. There are a number of substances that can be acquired most anywhere.

Other substances of abuse include:

• caffeine
• melatonin
• diet pills
• laxatives

Caffeine is a stimulant found in a wide variety of products, including coffee, tea, and energy drinks. Diet pills, stimulants, and laxatives are sometimes misused for weight loss or appetite suppression.

Diet pill abuse and laxative abuse is a common behavior seen in people with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia—both of which commonly co-occur with substance use disorders.

Find Treatment For A Drug Or Alcohol Addiction Today

Recovering from an alcohol or drug addiction is possible. For most, it requires receiving some form of substance abuse treatment.

If you or a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder, we may be able to help. Call us today to learn more about drug addiction and your addiction treatment options.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff