The most addictive medications are often not prohibited. They are easily available at gas stations, sold over the counter, or given out by pharmacists. These medications can be helpful and are entirely legal, but when used inappropriately, they can have harmful impacts. And since they are so addictive, they are frequently misused. Check out detox in new jersey to learn more about how substance abuse detox works.
Here is a list of the eight most addictive legal drugs:
- Nicotine
Nicotine is the most addictive legal drug and one of the easiest to purchase. Most smokers who use it just a few times develop an addiction. Only little percentage of people can occasionally smoke without developing an addiction.
It can be extremely difficult to stop smoking immediately when you get addicted to nicotine. Alcohol is easier to quit than nicotine, and the eagerness to use it continues to be strong.
- Alcohol
Alcohol is dangerous even though it isn’t as addictive as illegal substances like heroin. Alcohol creates a huge problem because so many people misuse it. Many males drink more than four drinks in a single sitting or more than 14 drinks per week. Drinking regularly can quickly lead to addiction.
However, some people become addicted to alcohol immediately after they take it, but for most people, it takes time for the addiction to develop before things start to get worse.
- Opioids
Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet, and morphine are just a few examples of opioid medicines that have recently caused health crises in America. Since the early 2000s, the number of prescriptions for these extremely addictive painkillers, basically low-dose heroin, has risen. More than 40 individuals die every day due to overdosing on such drugs.
Opioids reduce pain by connecting the receptors in the brain and the rest of the body. They work wonders for relieving sudden, acute pain, such as the kind you could experience after breaking many bones in a vehicle accident.
- ADHD Medications
The use of stimulants meant to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, like Ritalin, Adderall, and Concerta, has skyrocketed in the last ten years.
These substances are a big concern, particularly in high schools and universities, since kids think they help them study better. Then, when these overachievers graduate from college and enter the workforce as successful young professionals, they continue to act in this way.
- Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, also known as benzos, such as Xanax, Klonopin, and valium, are also wildly overprescribed. Extreme anxiety and panic episodes are treated with them, but many guys who don’t require it use it. However, it impacts function and performance and can harm your relationships and job. And much like with opioids, the body keeps wanting more.
- Anabolic Steroids
Legally prescribed anabolic steroids, synthetic variants of testosterone, enable men suffering life-threatening illnesses like cancer and AIDS to develop muscle mass and address the negative effects of low testosterone.
However, they are frequently misused and abused by otherwise healthy men who only want to gain muscles. Although steroids won’t make you high, they interfere with brain reactions. Continuous usage might result in violent mood changes, anger, paranoia, and violence. Even worse, they harm the heart, liver, and kidneys.
- Medicated Cough Syrup
Be cautious if your doctor prescribes a strong cough medicine for your bronchitis, sinusitis, or hay fever. Some stuff contains codeine, an opioid that can lead to addiction. Additionally, when used in excess, it can be disastrous.
Ensure you only take the appropriate dosages to prevent getting reliant on such drugs. Additionally, never consume alcohol while using prescription cough medicine.
- Ambien
When it comes to promoting sleep, Ambien is an effective drug. But taking it for more than a few days is asking for trouble because it’s incredibly simple to become addicted to it. It becomes nearly hard to fall asleep without Ambien after you use it consistently. You could experience sleeplessness for weeks if you use it for weeks, months, or years.