Quitting drugs can be dreadfully difficult thing for addicts, no matter what’s the drug of their choice. Studies and statistics show that there are hundreds of drugs consumed wildly throughout the world. But, what do you think are the hardest drugs to kick? Perhaps heavy drug addicts have their own say on their books. But in this article, we’re gonna list top 10 of the addictive drugs so hard to quit according to their Dependence Rating. Here goes the list that may surprise you:
10. GHB (Dependence Rating: 1.71)
GHB stands for Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid which is a depressant drug that is illegal in a number of countries. GHB is typically known as a Club Drug and has cross effect with alcohol. It increases tolerance and requires the user to take more. GHB is known to have brutal withdrawal syndrome that induces anxiety, insomnia, vomiting and dizziness which often sends the user right back to take it even more. Well, the combination of Alcohol and GHB can be horrible enough that you could be hooked if you ingest a lot of GHB for gaining the tolerance to alcohol. Once addicted, GHB is very difficult to quit.
9. Benzodiazepines (Dependence Rating: 1.89)
Benzodiazepines are known as anti-anxiety drugs in more common language. Similar to Xanax, Valium, Klonopin etc., Benzodiazepines reduce the stress. What it actually does is, after its intake, it increases the effectiveness of a chemical in our brain called GABA which is accountable for reducing excitability of many neurons and decreasing the anxiety. If we happened to get addicted to Benzodiazepines, it so quickly builds a strong tolerance which leads to its heavy and increased use. Withdrawal effects can be panic attacks, severe anxiety, or irritability. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can cause serious seizures and even death.
8. Amphetamines (Dependence Rating: 1.95)
Amphetamine is known to be a potent central nervous system stimulant originally developed to treat Asthma and sleep disorders like Narcolepsy. The regular intake of amphetamines has an effect very similar to meth. Amphetamine is one of the most addictive drugs and its withdrawal can induce depression, severe anxiety and extreme fatigue that inspire users to take it more and more. Beware! Amphetamines often come in the form of easily available prescription drugs like Adderall.
7. Cocaine (Dependence Rating: 2.13)
Cocaine is known to be a crystal form of tropane alkaloid. And it is made out of the coca leaves. It prevents the reabsorption of dopamine in the various reward areas of brain. Once you use the enough blow of cocaine, the brain reduces the number of dopamine receptors and then leads you to take it even more. Although Cocaine doesn’t destroy dopamine neurons like Methamphetamine, the rapid tolerance of Cocaine makes it the seventh of the most addictive drugs to quit. Very recent study on rats came to the conclusion that the use of cocaine may not make you a better dad/mom but it may make your son/daughter a bit more resistant to addiction.
6. Alcohol (Dependence Rating: 2.13)
Alcohol is described as an addiction most written about. It is considered to be one of the most complicated addictions to kick. And it’s because Alcohol is legal, easily available and well, often consumed in most of the social settings. The withdrawal syndromes of alcohol addiction can be so severe that it can lead to death.
5. Crystal Meth (Dependence Rating: 2.24)
When Crystal Meth is consumed in the body, it teaches your brain to want a drug. It works similar to nicotine and heroin and imitates dopamine and norepinephrine causing brain to release more of these chemicals which results in feelings of euphoria and increased energy. Crystal Meth impairs critical neurons and decreases the productivity thereby making you crave more Meth. Crystal Meth is one of the dreadfully difficult drugs to quit. It’s a nightmare for an addict.
4. Methadone (Dependence Rating: 2.68)
Methadone is actually used to treat heroin addiction, but having said that, it comes in at a dependence rating of 2.68. Of course, it helps you to stay off heroin addiction and also becomes resistant to its euphoric effects but the major problem is that the tolerance to Methadone is a sign of Methadone addiction which is very-very difficult to quit.
3. Nicotine (Dependence Rating: 2.82)
Nicotine is well-known as one of the hardest drugs to kick. In fact, Nicotine is similar to heroin and crack cocaine in that it stimulates a common neurotransmitter. Nicotine doesn’t induce the rush of heroin or crack cocaine though. Regular intake of nicotine reduces the sensitivity of various nicotinic receptors. Once you get used to nicotine, you require keep ingesting it just to maintain your normal brain function. As per the statistics, one in every five deaths in United States is due to nicotine addiction.
2. Crack Cocaine (Dependence Rating: 2.82)
Crystal form of Cocaine-Crack Cocaine is smoking processed cocaine and has more severe effect than snorting the powdered cocaine. Crack cocaine causes a faster and higher rush that lasts for a short period of time. And it leads to the need of higher dose more frequently. Crack causes a short lived euphoric effects immediately followed by the intense depression and a craving for more of the drug. Crack is known to be second most addictive drugs to quit with dependence rating of 2.82.
1. Heroin (Dependence Rating: 2.89)
Heroin aka Diamorphine, is touted as the most addictive drug available. In fact, heroin is an opiate that stimulates endorphins. The high fat solubility of heroin helps it reach the brain very quickly. Well, there is hype about heroin that it’s impossible to kick once you get addicted to it. Nearly 23% of people who ever tried heroin (even once) eventually become addicted. Heroin is considered the most addictive drugs to quit with its dependence rating 2.89.
Final Conclusion:
Being a human, for sure we have different addictive personalities. But of the most damaging things to consider are the dreadful drugs that are capable to grab hold of you from day one. There can be many possible reasons for falling into addiction, but what about the withdrawal? Like the drugs I’ve listed above, there are many drugs out there that are excruciatingly hard for the hooked ones to quit. The top 10 list is prepared based on the dependence rating of each drug. Well, the dependence rating measures the addictive influence of drugs on precisely adjusted scale of 0 to 3.
Arun is an IT-gradate. But writing is something he has innate passion for. He loves to explore new things, places and ideas.