The Top 10 Most Abused Drugs in the U.S.

The Scope of Drug Abuse in the U.S.

While new chemical substances have led to slight deviations in annual substance use trends, rates of addiction throughout the U.S. have remained somewhat consistent for the past decade. Rates of opioid use continue to climb, and as a direct result the rates of opioid overdose have also been on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “There were an estimated 93,331 drug overdose deaths in the United States during 2020, an increase of 29.4% from the 72,151 deaths predicted in 2019. New data documents that estimated overdose deaths from opioids increased from 50,963 in 2019 to 69,710 in 2020. Overdose deaths from synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl) and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine also increased in 2020 compared to 2019. Cocaine deaths also increased in 2020, as did deaths from natural and semi-synthetic opioids (such as prescription pain medication).”

In addition to increasing rates of drug overdose throughout the U.S., rates of alcohol addiction have been on the rise. The National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states 14.5 million people over the age of 12 suffer from a diagnosable alcohol use disorder. If you or someone you love has been struggling with an addictive disorder of any kind, Guardian Recovery is available to help. Contact us today to learn more.

Which Drugs Are Most Frequently Abused?

Which addictive drugs are most frequently abused? There are 10 chemical substances which are abused more than any others in the country — alcohol, marijuana, painkillers, cocaine, heroin, benzodiazepines, prescription stimulants, methamphetamine, inhalants and barbiturates. Drug addiction can happen to anyone, regardless of their demographic, personal background, age or gender. If you have been struggling with an addictive disorder of any type or severity, there is help available and recovery is always possible.

#1. Alcohol Abuse & Addiction

Nearly 15 million Americans over the age of 15 suffer from a diagnosable alcohol use disorder, making alcohol misuse and dependence one of the most significant substance-related problems in the U.S. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states, “An estimated 95,000 people (approximately 68,000 men and 27,000 women) die from alcohol-related causes annually, making alcohol the third-leading preventable cause of death in the United States.” Many people overlook the seriousness of alcohol misuse, seeing as this particular substance is so widely used and socially acceptable. However, alcohol is pervasive and destructive, and is responsible for thousands of untimely deaths on an annual basis.

#2. Marijuana Abuse & Addiction

Marijuana is widely deemed as a safe and non-addictive substance, and is used recreationally by millions of Americans. However, according to the National Institutes of Health, diagnosable marijuana use disorder affects nearly 6 million Americans on an annual basis. A person who suffers from marijuana use disorder has a difficult time stopping without help, experiences a range of withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped abruptly, and feels anxious and uncomfortable when marijuana is unavailable.

#3. Painkiller Abuse & Addiction

According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 2 million Americans misused prescription pain relievers for the first time within the past year, and rates of painkiller misuse and dependence have been on the rise in the U.S. since the mid-1990s. The most commonly misused prescription painkillers include oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine and codeine. Most commonly prescribed for the short-term treatment of moderate or severe pain, opioid painkillers are highly addictive and are among the most commonly abused drugs in the country.

#4. Cocaine Abuse & Addiction

Rates of cocaine use have been relatively stable throughout the U.S. since 2007. This highly addictive illegal drug remains one of the most commonly misused in the country. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, rates of cocaine use are highest among young adults between the ages of 18 and 25. NIDA also states, “In 2014, according to the NSDUH, about 913,000 Americans met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for dependence or abuse of cocaine (in any form) during the past 12 months. Further, data from the 2011 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) report showed that cocaine was involved in 505,224 of the nearly 1.3 million visits to emergency departments for drug misuse or abuse. This translates to over one in three drug misuse or abuse-related emergency department visits (40 percent) that involved cocaine.”

#5. Heroin Abuse & Addiction

Rates of heroin use have been on the rise throughout the U.S. since 2007, and rates of heroin-related overdose death have also been increasing. According to the National Institutes on Drug Abuse, “The impact of heroin use is felt all across the United States, with heroin being identified as the most or one of the most important drug use issues affecting several local regions from coast to coast.” Heroin addiction does not discriminate and individuals, families and communities across the country are being deeply and negatively impacted by this highly addictive, illegal drug.

#6. Benzodiazepine Abuse & Addiction

Benzodiazepines are a type of prescription medication most commonly used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. Commonly prescribed brand name benzodiazepines include Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin. In addition to being widely prescribed, benzodiazepines are also highly addictive. In 2019 it was reported that 16 percent of all recorded opioid overdose deaths also involved a benzodiazepine medication.

#7. Prescription Stimulant Abuse & Addiction

Prescription stimulant drugs like Adderall and Ritalin are most commonly prescribed to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder in adolescents and young adults, and are frequently misused by college students in order to increase alertness and productivity. Prescription stimulants increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, leading to feelings of pleasure and euphoria and reinforcing drug seeking behaviors. Many individuals who misuse prescription stimulants obtain the medication from a friend or relative.

#8. Methamphetamine Abuse & Addiction

According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, roughly 1.6 million Americans reported using methamphetamine at least once over the course of the past year. An estimated 964,000 people over the age of 12 suffered from a diagnosable methamphetamine use disorder. Meth is an illegal and highly addictive drug, which can lead to physical and psychological dependence after the first use.

#9. Inhalant Abuse & Addiction

More than 22 million Americans over the age of 12 have used inhalants at least once over the course of their lives. Every year, more than 750,000 individuals use inhalants for the first time. A study published by the US National Library of Medicine states, “Inhalant abuse refers to the intentional inhalation of vapors from commercial products or specific chemical agents to achieve intoxication. Abusers may inhale vapors directly from a container, from a bag into which a substance has been placed, or from a rag soaked with a substance and then placed over the mouth or nose.” Inhalant misuse and addiction is often referred to as a “forgotten epidemic,” because it is rarely discussed but still affects so many.

#10. Barbiturate Abuse & Addiction

While the use of barbiturate medications has been largely replaced by the use of benzodiazepines, barbiturates like amobarbital, pentobarbital and phenobarbital are still among the top 10 most commonly used addictive drugs in the country. Barbiturates are most commonly used to treat moderate or severe anxiety disorders and sleep disorders like insomnia. While most typically ingested in pill form, barbiturates can also be injected directly into the bloodstream.