Addiction in any form is dangerous, but some substances pack more of a punch when it comes time for recovery. David Nutt of London’s Imperial College has published research findings that rank the propensity for addiction of various substances on a scale from 1 to 3, revealing which habits are the hardest to kick once addiction sets in.
10. GHB – Dependence Rating 1.71: GHB is a party drug that carries many of the same risks as other club drugs like Ecstasy. GHB has the added risk of being an addictive neurotransmitter that increases the effects of alcohol. Addiction to GHB is a risk in itself, and often brings alcoholism piggybacking along with it.
9. Benzodiazepines – Dependence Rating 1.89: Prescription drugs like Valium and Xanax fall into the benzo group. These drugs are used as anti-anxiety medications and work by increasing calming GABA neurotransmitters in the brain. Dependence on these drugs builds quickly, leaving your brain dependent on their presence in order to function calmly. Withdrawal from benzos increases anxiety, making it really difficult to stay off of them.
8. Amphetamines – Dependence Rating 1.95: Prescription grade amphetamines like Adderall and Ritalin are used to treat ADHD. They alter brain chemistry, foster dependence, and are highly addictive substances. Withdrawal symptoms from amphetamines include depression and fatigue, and they should only be used under a doctors rigorous care.
7. Cocaine – Dependence Rating 2.13: As one of the dopamine enhancing drugs, cocaine does its work in the pleasure center of the brain and actually alters the physiology of the brain over time. It’s short-term high, and nasty withdrawal make it an addiction waiting to happen.
6. Alcohol – Dependence Rating 2.13: As the most rampant form of addiction in the U.S., alcoholism affects nearly 8% of our population. The legality of alcohol makes it seem like a safer substance than others, but this is far from the truth. Withdrawal from alcohol can be life threatening, and addiction to this substance can take hold before users even realize what’s happening.
5. Crystal Meth – Dependence Rating 2.24: Crystal meth works by stimulating the brain to produce more dopamine and norepinephrine. The brain becomes increasingly dependent on the higher levels of these hormones, and more meth is needed to obtain it. It’s a powerful cycle that compounds quickly, leaving a tough addiction in place in a short amount of time.
4. Methadone – Dependence Rating 2.68: Methadone is a prescription drug that is used to reduce the withdrawal symptoms of opioids like heroin, but it is very addictive in it’s own right. While it doesn’t produce the high of more powerful opioids, it instills a dependence that is hard to break. Methadone should only be used under the close supervision of an experienced doctor.
3. Nicotine – Dependence Rating 2.82: Another legal substance, nicotine has a hold on approximately 50,000,000 addicts in the U.S. The powerful neurotransmitter builds up a tolerance quickly, leading to higher consumption rates. 1 in 5 deaths in the U.S. can be attributed to smoking, making it one of the top killers in our nation.
2. Crack Cocaine – Dependence Rating 2.82: This form of cocaine is smoked to produce a powerful, but short-term high. The instant delivery method, and the 10 minute duration of the high send users looking for another hit almost instantly, which leads to a powerful addiction.
1. Heroin – Dependence Rating 2.89: It’s no surprise that the most addictive substance is one of the opioid group. Heroin is a pure form of opioids that affects neuroreceptors throughout the entire body, imitating endorphins, masking pain, and imparting pleasure. Many heroin users report that they became addicted from their first dose. About 1 in 5 people who try heroin become addicts, making it the most addictive substance in the world.
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