Substance abuse continues to be a primary public health concern across the nation with overdose rates rising consistently since the year 2000. The societal, economic, and personal costs of drug abuse are steep. Therefore, it’s important to gain a better understanding of exactly what substances people are abusing.
Contact 855.833.9199 to learn more about Sunstone Recovery’s substance abuse treatment programs.
12 Types of Drug Abuse
Two of the most common types of drugs that are abused are alcohol and tobacco. Both are pervasive in society, legal, marketed heavily, and inexpensive. While neither is perceived to be as deadly as hard drugs like meth or heroin, they do incredible amounts of damage to the people who abuse them. The following is a list of 12 types of drugs that can be abused:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Meth
- Painkillers
- Antipsychotics
- Marijuana
- Stimulants
- Inhalants
- Benzodiazepines
- Barbiturates
The types of drug abuse that exist certainly go far beyond that list. Those twelve types of drugs that can be abused account for the vast majority of drug abuse across the country. Explore a few of the most abused drugs from that list below:
Alcohol
The impact of alcohol makes itself clear. People who drink display motor impairment, loss of judgment, balance issues, and slurred speech. When abused, alcohol also causes blackouts and memory loss. Alcohol is the most abused drug in the United States. More than half the population identifies as alcohol abusers at one point or another. Binge drinking is the most common type of abuse in relation to alcohol. That is when someone drinks an excessive amount in a short amount of time, such as during a party or social event.
Tobacco
The public well understands the connection between smoking and cancer. In fact, it’s a leading cause of cancer. Despite the hit tobacco has taken to its reputation, it remains widely used. A concerning recent trend is the rise of teen and young adult users of tobacco products, especially vape pens and e-cigarettes. These products are not safer or less addictive than traditional tobacco products.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant. Using cocaine produces a major high. It’s also habit-forming. Long-term cocaine use alters the brain’s neural pathways and leaves people at higher risk of mental health disorders and mood problems. Over time, cocaine abuse can also damage multiple internal systems, leaving people at risk of organ failure, stroke, or neurological issues.
Heroin
Heroin is one of the most serious types of drug abuse. It often stems from opioid prescriptions. People with a prescription often develop a tolerance and seek a harder drug in the same drug family. Sadly, this leads them to heroin. As many people know, heroin is a major cause of overdose and death.
Meth
Meth usage remains less common than any of the other four drugs highlighted above. Nonetheless, meth abuse symptoms are especially frightening. Using meth essentially causes the body to decay. Long-term meth use causes teeth to rot, sores to erupt on the skin, and many other physical and psychological problems.
Overcome Drug Abuse With Sunstone Recovery
Many types of drugs that people abuse fly under the radar. All too often, things like alcohol and tobacco abuse get a pass in a way that doesn’t happen with illegal drugs. True, they may not be as immediately life-threatening. However, abusing alcohol and tobacco can have major consequences.
There are a variety of short- and long-term effects of drug abuse. Short-term effects include impaired judgment, coordination, and decision making; increased anxiety or panic; paranoia; and visual, auditory, and tactile hallucinations. These effects can be even more pronounced if the drugs are used in combination with alcohol or another central nervous system depressant. Long-term effects of drug abuse can lead to addiction, chronic health problems, and death.
If you notice yourself or a loved one struggling to maintain a healthy relationship to any substance, get connected to professional help right away by reaching out to 855.833.9199.
