English: The top ten most common addictions: [13, 914]

People who want to take back control of their life should know as much as possible about their addiction. These are the 10 most common substance dependencies across the United States.

Tobacco (nicotine) – Over 440 Million
Nicotine addiction may not appear as harmful as many other addictions. This is likely because tobacco products are legal and easy to get, and the worst side effects of abusing them take time to develop. Tobacco use claims more lives than any that of any other addictive substance. Many smokers cannot quit despite knowing smoking’s impact on their health. Wanting to quit but being unable to is a telltale sign of addiction.

Alcohol – 108 Million
The social acceptance of drinking can make alcohol addiction hard to spot. Despite its legal status, alcohol’s potential for abuse opens users up to many health risks and possible addiction. Alcohol abuse has numerous negative consequences. In addition to deaths from liver disease and alcohol overdose, drunk driving claims thousands of lives every year.

Marijuana –94.2 Million
The legalization of marijuana in some states has made the drug’s use more socially acceptable. This trend can distract people from marijuana’s addictive potential. Rates of marijuana addiction might also be growing due to increasing potency (over 60 percent) over the past decade.

Painkillers – 91.8 Million
Drugs like codeine, Vicodin and Oxycontin are commonly prescribed to treat pain. Painkillers’ prescription status does not mean they aren’t addictive. Addiction to painkillers can develop from seemingly harmless levels of use. Most patients who become addicted to prescription painkillers don’t notice they have a problem until they try to stop use. Painkillers are also abused without a prescription, which can also lead to an addiction.

Cocaine – 23.821 Million
Rates of cocaine addiction in the United States are dropping. The decline is slow, however, with an estimated 821,000 Americans still addicted as of 2011. Crack cocaine, which is cheaper and more intense than regular cocaine, is responsible for many crippling addictions and ruined lives.

Heroin – 3.426 Million
Heroin’s severe withdrawal symptoms make beating a heroin addiction a difficult task. Treating heroin addiction typically requires a combination of therapy and medications to help manage symptoms of withdrawal and cravings. Heroin abuse has been growing in the United States, particularly among young women. There is growing concern over heroin users contracting and spreading diseases like HIV and AIDS by sharing needles for injection.

Benzodiazepines – 1 Million
“Benzos” — such as Valium, Xanax, Diazepam and Klonopin — are prescribed as mood-regulating drugs to manage conditions like anxiety and stress. Those developing an addiction to these drugs oftentimes aren’t aware until they can’t function normally without the substance. Benzodiazepines are especially dangerous because of their powerful impact on the brain’s chemical makeup. Withdrawals can be deadly without medical assistance during detox.

Stimulants – 729,000
Stimulants range from prescription drugs, such as Adderall or Ritalin, to illicit substances like meth. These drugs are highly addictive, and intense withdrawal symptoms make quitting difficult. Stimulant users can quickly build a tolerance to the drug’s euphoric “high,” leading to increased use and risk of overdose.

Inhalants – 440,000.
Inhalant addiction is particularly dangerous because inhalants are volatile toxic substances. The effects of these substances — gasoline, household cleaning products, aerosols — are intense and can have immediate consequences including hospitalization or death. Chemicals prevalent in inhalants can linger in the body and brain long after stopping use, making complete recovery more difficult.

Sedatives (barbiturates) – 98,000
Millions of Americans are prescribed barbiturate sedatives, commonly known as sleeping pills, to treat tension and sleep disorders. Every year, thousands of prescription users build a tolerance — and ensuing addiction — to drugs like Lunesta and Ambien. Sleeping pills can produce mind-altering effects that lead to continued abuse.

Followed by:  the most common symptoms of a drug addiction:
With the non-medical use of prescription medications on the rise and the young people continuing to use marijuana, inhalants and other drugs at an alarming rate, there has never been a better time to become familiar with the most common symptoms of drug addiction and substance abuse. Understanding the symptoms of drug addiction can help individuals and their families in a number of different ways. It can help those who have a substance abuse problem better determine if they need professional treatment at a drug rehab center. And it can also help families who wish to determine whether or not their loved one is in need of an intervention.

Every drug is different, and so too are the symptoms associated with various addictions. The following signs and symptoms tend to run across most major drug addictions.

1. Mood swings. Drug addiction can elicit a wide range of emotions in the individual. They may experience feelings of euphoria and excitement when under the influence, but then “crash” to the lowest of depressive states when in between doses. These mood swings can have a significant impact on the individual and those closest to them.

2. Nervousness. Many drug addicts are constantly nervous or seem restless. In between doses of their drug they may find it difficult to sit still. Or in the case of cocaine addiction or other stimulant dependence, the effects of the drug itself may cause nervous behavior.

3. Illness. Drug abuse is not a healthy lifestyle. Many people will see several different aspects of their physical health suffer as a result. In addition to the strain that drug addiction puts on the liver, heart, kidneys and other vital internal organs, overdose is a constant threat and one that can land the individual in the hospital for an extended period of time.

4. Sleeplessness. Individuals with a drug addiction are often unable to sleep through the night. They may suffer from insomnia or will be incredibly difficult to wake up in the morning.

5. New peer groups. Many addicts will forgo their old friends and valued relationships in exchange for a new peer group that is more accepting of drug use.

6. Criminal activity. Many drug-addicted individuals find themselves in trouble with the law. In addition to the illegal nature of the substances themselves, many will engage in criminal behavior while under their influence (including driving while intoxicated, robbery or theft to support one’s habit, drug dealing, etc.) or in search of their next “fix”.

7. Premature death. While not technically a symptom of drug addiction, it is all too often the end-result. Many drug addicts see their health deteriorate quickly, or fall victim to a drug overdose.

As always, stay safe !

Bird

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