10 most dangerous drugs

Over the years, drug abuse rates have continued to rise. The common factor is that drugs have and will always be classified as dangerous to all individuals. However, as demands have changed, newly emerged drugs have also entered the market, along with a high reliance on prescription drugs.

Through these changes, the most sought-after substances have adapted, while also reranking the most dangerous drugs out there. Some can result in short-term damages, others can take a significant time to cause impacts, while others are classified as extremely hazardous.

Here are the 10 most dangerous drugs in the world, concerningly readily available to purchase with ease.

 

The rise of drug abuse 

Before visiting the most dangerous drugs in the market, it’s firstly important that we consider the rise of drug abuse and the effects it is having. As life continues to change, where pressures exist now more than ever, more and more individuals are misusing drugs.

Whether it’s for their ability to block our pain, or for their euphoric feelings, to that buzz like feeling, helping to unwind or escape, reliance rates on drugs are increasing.

The concerning factor of this is that newly emerged drugs are adopted quickly, down to their sought-after characteristics. However, there are many dangers linked to this irrational behaviour, with little knowledge surrounding their side effects and long-term impacts.

The demand for new illegal drugs, paired with the cognitive damages of long-term drug abuse causes significant alarm bells. However, the most alarming factor is that most users will have little knowledge of what they are putting into their bodies, and the damages it can cause.

With this in mind, here are the most dangerous drugs, highly abused, along with their hazardous characteristics and long-term impacts. If you are abusing any form of drug, it is important to remember that an addiction can develop. Here you will require great physical and psychological rehabilitation to overcome the damages. If this is something you require, reach out to our team here at Ocean Recovery Centre.  

The most dangerous drugs today

If you’re wondering which drug is the most dangerous, here are the top 10, in no particular order. Some are common knowledge, while the risk factors of others have increased over the years, down to the rise of associated mental health issues.  

Consuming alcohol on a regular, long-term basis can result in alcoholism, carrying many physical and psychological damages. Once alcohol consumption progresses from social measures, straight through to heavy consistent drinking, it is evident that cognitive changes have taken place, resulting in an addiction. From mental health issues, and high-risk physical health conditions, such as liver and heart failure, to a reduced quality of life, alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs, if consumed excessively.  

    Alcohol

Alcohol is highly normalised, especially in the UK. As it is legal to purchase and consume alcohol, once you turn 18, its risk factor is perceived as low. This factor in itself is why alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs out there, as a large proportion of users fail to understand its long-term impacts.  

    Heroin

Heroin is one of the most addictive opioid drugs in the market. It is identified as a hard drug, down to its chronic associated withdrawal symptoms. Once heroin abuse takes place, it can be very difficult to reduce consumption.
The concerning factor, ranking heroin as one of the most dangerous drugs in the world is the damage it can cause to physical and mental health. From HIV and hepatitis C, to blood clots and high overdose rates, heroin is the reason for the predominance of drug related deaths in the UK.

    Nictotine

Nicotine again is normalised across society. In fact, smoking tobacco is a widely populated trend across the world. However, years of nicotine abuse can result in chronic respiratory and cardiovascular damage, known to motivate lung cancer and organ failure, contributing to many deaths.  
It is branded as one of the most dangerous drugs down to its soft exterior. As the effects of nicotine are low, higher quantities are abused. Over time, this can result in severe internal damages, along with the development of a high nicotine addiction.

    Methadone

Methadone is a highly used drug in medical and rehabilitation programmes. It is commonly utilised when promoting the withdrawal from further addictive substances. However, through its sedative effects, addiction rates to methadone are increasing.  

Ranking as one of the most dangerous drugs, methadone is identified as hazardous down to its ability to withdraw users from further drugs, while in turn influencing a secondary dependence.  

Cocaine

A highly populated drug of choice is cocaine. It is now used regularly on a worldwide scale, again, normalising the drug. Many users now consume cocaine every weekend which has inevitably caused a rise in cocaine use. Through this normalisation, it is important that users understand the dangers linked to heavy cocaine consumption. Like other drugs, cocaine can cause physical and psychological damages. However, the greatest concerning factor is that cocaine abuse can result in mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, causing irreversible cognitive impairment.

A further high-risk factor, recognising cocaine as a dangerous drug is its accessibility. Purchasing cocaine can now be completed with ease. Yet, many dealers are now mixing cocaine with further substances, increasing overdose rates. Without a full understanding of its contents, cocaine abuse can be lethal.

    Morphine

Morphine is highly favoured for its euphoric feeling, commonly abused by individuals living with mental health issues. Although short-term side effects can be minimal, it is ranked as one of the most dangerous drugs for its long-term impacts.  

As withdrawal symptoms commonly heighten mental health side effects, such as depression, it can be very difficult to stop consumption, fuelling a morphine addiction and potential overdose likelihoods.  

    Methamphetamines

Methamphetamines are an illegal stimulant, known for causing psychological highs. However, this drug is highly toxic to the brain, down to its formulation. Misuse of meth can cause irreversible physical side effects, especially down to its contents of hazardous and hard chemicals.  

    Antidepressants

Again, prescribed antidepressants are perceived as low risk. They are prescribed by a medical professional to control the likes of depression. However, those without depression are now abusing antidepressants to experience their relaxing and calming effects.

Abusing drugs which haven’t been prescribed can be very dangerous, causing hormone imbalances and physical and psychological side effects.

Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the leading mental health conditions, now diagnosed in the UK. Benzodiazepine is commonly prescribed for patients, helping to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Here is exactly where the drug can become dangerous, with high probabilities of developing into an addiction, standing as a dual diagnosis.

Those who experience anxiety are also likely to mix their prescription drugs with further substances, such as alcohol, causing greater damages.  

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    Ketamine

Standing as one of the most dangerous drugs, ketamine can cause serious health concerns. From liver damage and bladder problems, to paralysis of the muscles and mind, abusing ketamine can place users into very hazardous situations. Controlling reality is impossible while under the influence of ketamine, while also identified to damage short and long-term memory.

Drug addiction support here at Ocean Recovery Centre

Above is a breakdown of the 10 most dangerous drugs in today’s world. If you are abusing any form of drug, where addictive tendencies are developing, it is important that you consider professional support.

Without professional intervention, the dangers linked to drug and alcohol abuse, noted above can happen, sometimes causing life-limiting and threatening symptoms.

Through our treatment centre, we can help you overcome even the most dangerous drugs on the market. Reach out today for more information on drug and alcohol rehabilitation, removing yourself from the hazardous of ongoing substance abuse.

John Gillen - Director at Ocean Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: September 24, 2021

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.