Top 18 Most Addictive Drugs On Earth:
#18 Mescaline
Potential For Addiction: 16.72/100
Mescaline is found in several cactus species, such as Peyote and
San Pedro. It is usually smoked in "joints" or pipes, similar to
marijuana. Mescaline, like LSD, causes hallucinations. Some
of these hallucinations can cause nightmares, and could potentially
cause some psychosis to those who use it. Mescaline has a
relatively low potential for addiction.
#17 LSD
Potential For Addiction: 16.72/100
LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) is a semisynthetic psychedelic drug.
It is engineered from lysergic acid derived from ergot, a grain fungus
that typically grows on rye. During the cold war, governments looked to
LSD as a possible way to instigate mind control. The effects and
addictive potential of LSD are very similar to Mescaline.
#16 Psilocybine Mushrooms
Potential For Addiction: 17.13/100
"Magic" Mushrooms (mushrooms containing the psychoactive
substance psilocybin and psilocin) have been around since the days of
the ancient Aztek civilization in central America. These
mushrooms cause hallucinations similar to LSD, but give a less intense,
"natural" high. They do not have high addictive potential.
#15 Ecstasy
Potential For Addiction: 20.14/100
A relatively new drug on the scene, enthusiastic users of "E" proclaim it does everything from
enhancing their sex and social life, to curing migraines and even
narcolepsy! Others who have stopped using the drug (after months
or years of regular use) complain of increased paranoia, anxiety,
depression, and trouble sleeping. The physical addictive qualities of
this drug are surprisingly low on this list, but we suspect the
psychological addictive qualities are much higher.
#14 Marijuana
Potential For Addiction: 21.16/100
Although the drug is not addictive to most casual users, Marijuana can be highly addictive
to a small percentage of people who use it. It is estimated that
between 10 to 14 percent of regular users will become highly
dependent. Withdrawal symptoms can include nausea,
insomnia and irritability. Marijuana's role as a potential
"gateway" drug (encourages users to graduate to more dangerous drugs
such as cocaine) has been debated for years, but no evidence exists
that confirms this "gateway" theory. On the other hand, no
evidence exists that disproves this theory.
#13 PCP (Phencyclidine)
Potential For Addiction: 55.69/100
PCP is a synthetic drug orginally used as an anesthetic during
surgery, but its use was discontinued for this purpose due to the
extreme side effects. Commonly referred to as "angel dust" or
"crystal", PCP gives the user feelings of invincibility, and vivid
hallucinations. Long-term use can produce memory loss, difficulties with speech and thinking, depression and possible schizophrenia.
#12 Caffeine
Potential For Addiction: 72.01/100
The most widely used drug on earth, caffeine can be quite addictive.
Those who have 300 milligrams (or more) per day can experience
withdrawal symptoms if they cut off their caffeine intake. These users
can suffer depression, irritability, tremors, jumpiness, lack of "deep
sleep", and painful headaches.
#11 Cocaine
Potential For Addiction: 73.13/100
Cocaine hydrochloride (a.k.a. coke, snow, blow) stimulates the
central nervous system, and interferes with the reabsorption of
dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure.The drug is
extracted from the leaves of the coca plant, found primarily in South
America. Cocaine can produce euphoria, hyper-stimulation,
confidence, and alertness. However, these positive effects can wear off
within 30 minutes. When they do, withdrawal symptoms can include irritability,
anxiety, insomnia, depression, and/or paranoia. Cocaine is highly
addictive both physically and psychologically.
#10 Crank (Amphetamine Taken Orally)
Potential For Addiction: 81.09/100
Crank's effects include euphoria, a decreased need for sleep,
reduction of appetite, decreased need for liquids, increased
sense of alertness, and increase in energy levels. High doses of amphetamines can cause blood vessels in the brain to rupture, heart failure, hyperthermia (extremely high fever), seizures, coma, and death.
#9 Heroin
Potential For Addiction: 81.80/100
A highly addictive drug, Heroin is processed from morphine, which is extracted from the Asian Poppy. Heroin
usually appears as a brown or white colored powder, and commonly
referred to on the street as "H", "smack" or "junk". It creates an
instant feeling of euphoria, and "warm flushes" throughout the body.
Withdrawal symptoms (which can occur in as little as one to two hours
from the last dose) can include restlessness, muscle and bone pain,
insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, and cold flashes.
#8 Alcohol
Potential For Addiction: 81.85/100
At first, alcohol can produce feelings of cheerfulness and confidence, but as we all know, this soon leads to unpredictable and erratic behavior. Long term alcohol abuse can
damage the liver and pancreas, and cause bone damage and heart
disease. If a user mixes alcohol with other drugs such as
acetaminophen (Tylenol), cocaine, heroin, and/or barbiturates, it can
actually double alcohol's damaging effects on the body.
#7 Seconal (Secrobarbital)
Potential For Addiction: 82.11/100
Known as a "sedative hypnotic", Seconal was once used as a
sleeping pill, but have since been outlawed. They are highly addictive
and commonly referred to on the street as "reds". Withdrawal symptoms for Seconal,
like other "downer" drugs, can be quite severe. They include
anxiety, nervousness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, increased
heart rate, and stomach cramps.
#6 Quaalude (Methaqualone)
Potential For Addiction: 83.38/100
Methaqualone was invented in the 1950's and originally marketed as a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, and sedative.
It became popular as a recreational drug in the 1960's, giving the user
a relaxed and "free" feeling similar to the effects of alcohol. The
drug was outlawed in most countries by the mid 80's. Its
withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of most "sedative hypnotic"
drugs, such as Seconal and Valium.
#5 Valium (Diazepam)
Potential For Addiction: 85.68/100
Another "sedative hypnotic" drug, with severe withdrawal
effects similar to Quaaludes and Seconal. Used for treatment of
sleep disorders, depression, and bipolar disorder.
#4 Crystal Meth (Methamphetamine, injected)
Potential For Addiction: 94.09/100
The epidemic that is crystal meth has reached crisis proportions in North America,
and around the world. Meth is generally easy and cheap to produce
in simple "labs", often set up in dealer's homes. The drug creates an instant euphoria in the user, but is extremely addictive. The
long term effects include brain damage, memory impairment, and extreme
mood swings. The withdrawal symptoms have been described as
"physical agony", hence the very high dropout rate of addicts from
recovery programs. Addiction counsellors say the relapse rate (of 92 per cent) is worse than cocaine.
#3 Crack
Potential For Addiction: 97.66/100
Crack, an infamous new variation of the drug cocaine, emerged in the 1980's.
Crack is actually cocaine in a rock crystal form, that can be heated,
and its vapors smoked. The substance tends to make a "cracking"
noise when heated, hence the name. Crack will give an instant
feeling of intense pleasure, but the rush only lasts for about 5 to 7
minutes. The user will then experience depression, which can only
be alleviated by more of the drug. This begins the dangerous
cycle of crack dependancy. Long term use of the drug can cause
anxiety, delusions, paranoia, lung cancer, panic attacks, heart
disease, and bronchitis.
#2 Ice, Glass (Methamphetamine, smoked)
Potential For Addiction: 98.53/100.00
Ice or Glass is crystal meth in crystal form, that is smoked instead of injected. Its effects and severe withdrawal symptoms are similar to Meth that is injected.
#1 Nicotine
Potential For Addiction: 100/100
Number one on our list is nicotine, delivered to the body in the form of smoking and chewing tabacco. Nicotine
is the primary reason that tobacco is addictive, although cigarette
smoke contains many other dangerous substances, tar and carbon monoxide
just to name a few. Most smokers develop the habit in their
teen years, an age where many of us rebel and are more likely to try
new and sometimes dangerous things. By the time these smokers
reach their 20's, they are hopelessly addicted and well on the way to a lifelong habit. Those who attempt to quit can suffer from withdrawal symptoms
such as headaches, irritability, trouble sleeping, tension, difficulty
in concentrating, and increased appetite. It is said nicotine is
one of the most difficult drugs to quit.
"In
Health" magazine asked a panel of experts to rank commonly used drugs
by their potential for addiction. Two factors were used: how
easily people become addicted, and how difficult it can be for people
to quit. A score of 100 represents a high potential for
addiction, 1 a low potential. Because each individual reacts
differently based on psychology, physiology, and social pressures, the
rankings reflect addictive potential only.
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