11.7 percent of Americans use illegal drugs. While that doesn’t sound like a large percentage, with 329.5 million people in the US, that’s around 36 million drug users.

Now, not all drug users are drug abusers or addicts, but many are. Drugs are chemically addictive, and your brain will chase more after one dose.

Because there are so many different substances, there are different types of drug addictions. We’re going over the different addictions and what drugs they include below.

Stimulant Abuse

Stimulants are any drug that provides the user with energy. In sci9entific terms, they make you feel more alert and increase your brain function (temporarily) by interacting with your nervous system. There are legal stimulants, like caffeine and ADHD meds, but you need a prescription for the latter. Other stimulants include:

• Crack
• Cocaine
• Methamphetamine
• ADHD Medication (with no prescription)
• Nicotine (including vapes)

Signs of addiction to stimulants include people talking very fast, moving quickly, seeming to have a lot of energy out of nowhere, dehydration, and loss of appetite.

Worried someone, you love is abusing stimulants? Using them consistently can have a lasting impact on the brain and the heart – so it’s imperative that they get the drug rehab they need.

Opioid Abuse

You may have heard people say that America is experiencing an opioid epidemic. That means that more people than “expected” are developing the condition.

Opioids include most prescription painkillers, which is how many people get hooked on them. Popular opioids include:

• Oxycontin
• Heroin
• Codeine
• Vicoden
• Percocet
• Fentanyl

People who take opioids are usually in a “dreamy” state. They may move slower, speak slower, and sleep a lot. They’re prone to zoning out and may act silly.

If you suspect a loved one is using opioids, please get them help. Continued use can lead to organ damage, lung failure, collapsed veins, an increased risk of bloodborne illnesses, and death.

Depressants

People don’t often think about marijuana being addictive. The plant itself isn’t chemically habit forming, but that doesn’t mean people don’t get addicted to how they feel when they’re high. Many people use cannabis to treat their mental health issues, like anxiety, which is abuse, unless it’s been discussed with a doctor.

Alcohol is technically a drug and is also a depressant.

Sedative Abuse (Benzodiazepines)

If you’ve ever seen memes or TV shows where a character (usually female) takes pills in stressful situations, they were probably sedatives. Xanax is the most popular brand name pill, with a high abuse rate.

Sedatives, like stimulants, can be prescribed by a doctor, but that doesn’t mean they’re not habit-forming if taken off-label or in increasing doses.

The Different Types Of Drug Addictions

Unfortunately, many addicts don’t just stick to one drug group. Someone who is addicted to drugs is seeking not to be sober and will do that however they can. If their drug of choice isn’t available, they may find another group to fill their need.

Professional rehab centers treat people with all types of drug addiction and do essential, lifesaving work. Especially in the face of a pandemic!

We hope the person you’re reading this for (or you) gets the help you need and can live a sober life. For more lifestyle content, follow us on Google News.