Alcohol consumption and recreational drug use have become as much a part of American culture as fast food and cringe-worthy reality television. The majority of people in the country drink on occasion and have experimented with one drug or another at least once over the course of their lives. Many of these people can dabble without consequence. They never develop a dependence on the substance they use, and they can easily put it down as soon as they need to or want to. Other people, however, have a difficult time putting down chemical substances. As a result, they might develop a physical and psychological dependence over time that must be treated professionally in order to be resolved. 
Becoming Addicted to Drugs
What determines who can experiment and walk away and who will eventually develop an addictive disorder? There are several risk factors at play including genetic predisposition, underlying mental illness, unresolved trauma or PTSD, consistently high-stress levels, environmental factors, and the age during which substance use began. The type of substance being used also affects the outcome. For example, a person who experiments with marijuana several times during adolescence is less likely to develop a diagnosable substance abuse disorder than someone who uses methamphetamine for several weeks.
More About Addiction Treatment Program at Evoke Wellness
At Evoke Wellness we specialize in the effective treatment of substance abuse disorders of all types. We treat addiction at the roots, tackling the physical, psychological and emotional symptoms of addiction. We also offer a variety of different treatment options, because not everyone is the same. What would work best for someone else, might not be ideal for you. To speak with an addiction specialist and learn more about our treatment programs, contact us today.
Top 10 Most Abused Drugs
Which drugs are most frequently abused? We have compiled an inclusive list of the most frequently abused chemical substances. If you have additional questions about drug abuse or about our program of drug addiction recovery, please feel free to reach out to us at any point in time. The top 10 most abused drugs are:
- Alcohol – Alcohol is by far the most commonly abused drug in the U.S. It is estimated that around 16 million Americans currently suffer from a diagnosable alcohol use disorder. It can be difficult to determine whether or not you are struggling with an alcohol use disorder because heavy drinking is often common practice. Alcohol abuse also leads to a significant amount of fatalities and is the third leading cause of preventable death in the country.
- Marijuana – An estimated 12 million Americans abuse marijuana regularly. Because this particular substance has been legalized in numerous states, many people believe it is entirely safe to use and isn’t habit-forming. In reality, people in every demographic struggle with the problem of marijuana use. In severe cases, professional intervention is necessary.
- Prescription painkillers – This type of medication includes opioid narcotics like oxycodone and hydrocodone. Contrary to popular belief, prescription painkillers are more frequently abused than heroin – however, many cases of painkiller abuse progress to heroin dependence over time.
- Hallucinogens – This type of drug includes psilocybin mushrooms, LSD (acid), and PCP. Hallucinogenic drugs, also known as psychedelics, are some of the most frequently abused chemical substances in the U.S., despite most people using these drugs recreationally. While they do have a lower potential for dependence, hallucinogen addiction can occur.
- Depressants – Around 5.9 million Americans abuse depressant drugs, and this class of drugs includes benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, and barbiturates. Depressants are dangerous to abuse, and many people combine them with other chemical substances like opioids or alcohol increasing the risk of overdose-related death.
- Cocaine – This illegal stimulant drug has been popular since the 1980s, though abuse rates have remained relatively stable since 2007. Cocaine is most commonly abused nasally in powdered form, though crack cocaine abuse is also common.
- Prescription stimulants – This type of medication includes drugs like Adderall and Ritalin, most commonly used for the treatment of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 are most likely to abuse prescription stimulants in order to improve their academic performance. Unfortunately, these drugs are also highly addictive.
- Inhalants – Inhalants are most commonly used because of their affordability and accessibility. Young adults and adolescents are most likely to abuse inhalants.
- Methamphetamine – This illegal stimulant is widely abused among people in lower-income brackets because of its affordability. An estimated 2 million Americans abuse meth regularly.
- Heroin – This illegal opioid is responsible for the majority of overdose deaths that occur throughout the country. On average, 130 innocent men and women lose their lives to drug overdose every single day. Over the course of the past several years, rates of heroin abuse and dependence have escalated across the country, and heroin addiction affects members of every demographic.
Overcome Abuse Dependence at Evoke Wellness
If you have been struggling with a substance abuse disorder of any kind, we are available to help. Our comprehensive recovery program focuses on treating the core of addiction and providing clients with the tools they need to maintain sobriety for years to come. It is time you contact us and speak with one of our addiction specialists, they can help you find the best solution to help with your addiction and get you on the right path to living a happier and healthier lifestyle, free from addiction. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
