Most people know that drugs are addictive, but are some more addictive than others?
We’ve ranked the top 10 most addictive substances on Earth, and you may be shocked at some of the drugs that made the list.
Not all of these substances are illegal – in fact, several of them are extremely helpful for people with physical and mental health disorders when used as prescribed.
Being aware of the effects these drugs can have can help you to make informed decisions and reach out for help if you need it.
Below are some of the most addictive substances in the world.
If you are concerned about your use of any of these drugs, or that of a loved one, call us on 0800 140 4690 for free support and advice.
Heroin is often described as the most addictive substance in the world.
It can quickly enter your brain and bind to your opioid receptors, causing a rush of extreme euphoria which many people spend the rest of their lives chasing.
Heroin can also cause physical changes in the area of your brain that deals with impulse control, making it even more difficult to take steps towards recovery.
This illegal drug is made from morphine extracted from the opioid poppy plant and can be smoked, snorted or injected into a vein.
Those who inject heroin are at risk of not only addiction but a range of bloodborne diseases including HIV and hepatitis.
Even those in recovery from heroin need to stay alert, as your tolerance to this substance drops dramatically once you stop using it.
If you relapse, your usual dose may be too much for your body to handle and you could suffer an overdose.
Cocaine is an illegal stimulant drug that can make you feel more alert, confident and energetic.
It is commonly sold as a white powder that can be snorted or rubbed into the gums, while another form of this substance known as crack cocaine can be smoked or injected.
It is very easy to become addicted to cocaine due to its short-acting effects.
Cocaine gives an almost immediate high which then wears off quickly, causing users to take frequent doses in a short time span.
Additionally, this drug is often used in social settings or in fast-paced work environments. This can cause some people to feel compelled to use cocaine regularly to avoid social anxiety or to be more productive.
Cocaine can increase your risk of developing heart problems and can also take a toll on your mental health.
The dangers of nicotine are well-known in 2024, and yet this drug continues to be one of the most commonly used addictive substances across the globe.
Tobacco contains nicotine, and this can be found in cigarettes, cigars and vapes.
1 in 8 people in the UK smoke and almost 50% of them want to quit. [1]
Although nicotine is legal to use for anyone over 18, its effects are extremely harmful with an increased risk of cancer and heart problems to those who smoke.
Nicotine is both physically and psychologically addictive.
This means it can cause physical changes in the way your brain and body work, leading to withdrawal symptoms if you try to quit.
While these symptoms are not dangerous to most people trying to give up smoking, they can be very uncomfortable and make it much more difficult to quit.
Alcohol is one of the most addictive substances on Earth, and this is made more concerning by the high rates of alcohol use in the UK.
In 2022 there were 7,912 deaths directly caused by alcohol in England alone, an increase of 4.2% since 2021. [2]
Like nicotine, alcohol is both physically and psychologically addictive and it can be very difficult to recover from an alcohol addiction.
The withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous and even deadly, requiring constant medical supervision.
Alcohol is a depressant – it can slow your brain down, affect your coordination and reduce your self-control.
People who consume alcohol usually report feeling relaxed, happy and confident, however it can also make you feel more emotional and even aggressive.
Drinking alcohol on a regular basis can increase your risk of heart disease, liver and kidney problems and certain types of cancers.
Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that can make you feel alert and euphoric. It can be used to treat people with ADHD, but many people use it without a prescription.
This drug looks like a white powder and when prescribed will be in the form of a pill. When it is used recreationally it can be smoked, snorted, injected or consumed orally.
It is illegal to use methamphetamine without a prescription.
It is a highly addictive and dangerous drug, and is only safe to use under medical supervision – even then, there is a risk of addiction.
Using this drug increases the amount of dopamine your brain produces, which results in the euphoric high that many people chase. [3]
It can also speed up your body’s natural processes to dangerous levels, increasing the risk of high blood pressure and heart problems.
Fentanyl is an opioid drug that has been found to be 50 times stronger than heroin. [4]
It is commonly prescribed as a type of pain relief medication and is safe when administered by professionals, but it should never be used recreationally.
The effects of fentanyl are similar to heroin, with people who use this drug typically feeling euphoric and relaxed.
It is extremely addictive and the potential of overdosing is high.
If you have been prescribed fentanyl, you will likely be given patches that you place on your skin. Illegal fentanyl usually comes in the form of a powder which is then taken as a pill.
Frequent use of this drug can overload your dopamine receptors, eventually making it very difficult to feel pleasure and happiness without using fentanyl.
This can make it extremely difficult to recover from a fentanyl addiction without relapsing.
Many people view crystal meth as being the same drug as methamphetamine, but the two are actually very different.
Crystal meth is a distilled form of methamphetamine that is far more potent and is sold in solid ‘rocks’ that look like crystals or glass.
It is often smoked out of a pipe but may also be injected.
Using crystal meth can give you a stronger and longer-lasting high than methamphetamine, but the risk of addiction and overdose is even greater.
The dangers of using crystal meth include heart problems, brain damage and paranoia among many others.
In the UK, crystal meth is classified as a Class A drug.
If you are found in possession of this substance you risk prison time and a fine, whilst supplying and manufacturing crystal meth could lead to life in prison. [5]
You may have heard of methadone being used as a substitute for heroin as a way to treat addiction.
While this method can be effective, it also comes with its own risks – in particular, the highly addictive qualities of methadone itself.
While methadone is safer than heroin when used in a medical setting, it is not safe to use recreationally.
It has similar effects to heroin and binds to your opioid receptors in the same way.
Even people who are prescribed methadone must have a medically approved withdrawal plan to avoid addiction.
Methadone is particularly dangerous when combined with alcohol.
It can lead to an extreme drop in blood pressure and may cause your respiratory system to stop working, leading to death in severe cases.
MDMA is an illegal stimulant and psychedelic drug commonly known as ecstasy or molly.
It is a commonly used substance in the party and clubbing scene but is highly addictive and dangerous.
They come in pill, capsule or tablet form which are often printed with cartoon characters or slogans to make them seem more appealing.
One of the most dangerous things about MDMA is the fact that it often contains other substances in varying amounts including cocaine, caffeine and methamphetamine.
This can lead to an overdose, as there is no way to know how much of each substance you have taken.
MDMA can make you feel euphoric, energetic and give you an increased sense of empathy.
However, you may also experience panic attacks, high blood pressure and even seizures.
Cannabis may be a surprising addition to this list, as many people champion this psychoactive drug for its supposed health benefits and many countries have legalised it during recent years.
However, cannabis is very much addictive.
While more research is needed to determine whether it is physically addictive, it has been proven to be psychologically addictive.
Cannabis is commonly known as weed or marijuana.
It is made from the dried leaves of the cannabis plant and can be smoked, vaped or consumed through food and drink.
People who use cannabis may experience a range of symptoms including euphoria, paranoia and relaxation.
Studies have found that using cannabis impacts the brain in similar ways as other addictive drugs.
In fact, it’s believed that 3 in 10 people who use cannabis will become psychologically dependent and may struggle to stop using it. [6]
While the substances listed above may be the most addictive drugs on Earth, this doesn’t mean that anything outside this list is safe to use.
See below for other highly addictive substances that may not have made the top 10 but are still very dangerous.
Benzodiazepines are a class of sedative drugs.
They are often prescribed to treat a range of conditions including anxiety and insomnia, but they are also extremely addictive.
These drugs can make you feel calm and relaxed.
Over time your body can develop a tolerance to them, and this can lead to someone taking more and more to get the same effects.
Buprenorphine is another opioid drug used to treat pain as well as heroin addiction.
While it is not as strong as heroin, it is still highly addictive in its own right.
If taken under medical supervision for a legitimate reason, buprenorphine is relatively safe.
Using it recreationally, however, can lead to addiction and overdose.
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant, a type of medication that is used to treat seizures.
It’s also a painkiller that can treat nerve pain, but it has become a popular recreational drug due to its relaxing and confidence-boosting effects.
Unfortunately it is highly addictive and dangerous, particularly when combined with alcohol and other drugs.
It’s important to understand that addiction is a disease, not a choice.
Many of the drugs on the above list can physically change how your brain and body works.
Not only does it become more difficult to recover from addiction, but you are also more likely to develop another addiction in the future.
Many drugs cause your brain to release excess dopamine, which is a chemical formed by your brain that makes you feel happy.
Our brains can start to depend on this dopamine rush, and over time will require larger doses of these drugs more frequently to get the same effects.
This is when an addiction can form, and it can be very difficult to break.
Often, the most difficult part of addiction recovery is reaching out for help.
Rehab 4 Addiction can help you to take that step – we work closely with rehabilitation centres and outpatient clinics across the UK to match you to a clinic that best suits your needs.
With one simple phone call, you can access the best recovery clinics in the country.
We also provide free advice and guidance if you are still considering your treatment options.
It doesn’t matter how severe your addiction is – even if you are using one or more of the most addictive drugs on Earth, you can still recover and live a joyful life.
If you or a loved one are struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, we can help.
Call us now on 0800 140 4690 for support and help that fits your budget and lifestyle.
[1] https://ash.org.uk/resources/view/smoking-statistics
[3] https://www.samhsa.gov/meth
[4] https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl
[5] https://www.gov.uk/penalties-drug-possession-dealing
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7027431/
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
