Types of addictive drugs

When you hear the term ‘addictive drugs’, what’s the first thing you think of? People tend to imagine things like heroin, crack cocaine and marijuana. Yet the scope of drug addiction is far wider and more inclusive than you may imagine. There are thousands of substances that can fuel drug addiction.

Nobody has to continue living under the power and influence of drugs. Help is available through private rehab clinics and detox centres around the country. SO if you need support, we are here to help you through the next stages.

Our mission is to help you make sure you get the help you need. We work with the best clinics to provide you with treatment and support that will greatly increase the chances of long-term success.

We have created a list of different types of addictive drugs, below. If you abuse any of these drugs, it’s important to acknowledge that you may have an addiction.

Cannabinoids

The term ‘cannabinoids’ may seem familiar to you because of its resemblance to the word ‘cannabis’. Actually, both words and share similar entomology. Cannabinoids include drugs like marijuana and hashish. They are typically smoked or swallowed by users.

These drugs are often gateway substances to more serious addictions. That means it is dangerous to play around with them. Although many people believe cannabinoids are harmless, they are just as addictive as any other substance in this list.

Club drugs

The US government came up with the term ‘club drugs’ as a means of classifying a new line of synthetic substances now available on the open market. This classification includes things like ecstasy, liquid ecstasy, Mexican valium and others.

Club drugs are usually smoked, snorted, or swallowed. In rare cases, they may also be injected. The danger in these drugs comes from the fact that we are still not entirely sure how much long-term damage they can do. Yet they are just as addictive as any other illicit drug.

Opioids, stimulants, hallucinogens

All of the ‘big name’ drugs we are familiar with fall under one of these three categories. Opioids include things like heroin and opium. They are drugs that fall into specific classes and are thus regulated by various governments. Opioids can be used for medical purposes under some circumstances, and are just as dangerous when prescribed by a doctor, if abused.

Stimulants includes substances like cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamines. These types of drugs can be taken by swallowing, injecting, smoking or snorting. They are extremely dangerous because they usually cause excessive heart rate and blood pressure.

Hallucinogens are things like LSD and mushrooms. These drugs became very popular in the 1960s due to the Timothy Leary and other social activists.

OTC and prescription drugs

We typically associate drug abuse with illicit substances like the ones previously listed. However, it is just as serious a problem when it comes to over-the-counter and prescription medications. Remember that any drug can be abused. And where abuse is possible, so is addiction.

Household substances

Lastly, you can become addicted to some of the compounds found in common household solvents and chemicals. Examples include paint thinner, propane and butane gas and aerosols. The biggest problem with these types of drugs is their easy accessibility.

It should be clear to see how big the scope of drug addiction is by going through this list. Keep in mind that we have only scratched the surface by giving you the main types of addictive drugs. Within each category, there are hundreds of potential candidates.

If you need advice on whether you have an addiction, or you have questions about a drug not listed above, we are here to advise 27/4.