Last Updated:
June 13th, 2024
When we talk about addiction, we are not talking about one specific experience that is shared by each individual who struggles with dependency. In reality, the term addiction covers a very broad range of experiences, from substance dependency to behavioural addictions. Even within the scope of substance use disorders, the events and experiences that colour your encounters with addiction will vary. This is because each type of substance uniquely affects our bodies and brains. Each substance can also act differently depending on the individual, meaning that addiction is a very individual experience. However, some substances are notorious for their sticking power within drug rehab due to their strong addiction potential and potent withdrawal symptoms. However, it is possible that addictions to these types of drugs can be counteracted with specialist drug addiction help.
Drugs with high addiction potential
It is worth noting that a wide range of substances have the power to viscerally affect the ways that our bodies and brains function – both in the shorter term, during use, and in the longer term. However, some substances can cause quite significant changes in the functioning of our central nervous systems, leading to very powerful cravings and intense health effects.
The types of drugs most commonly labelled as having high addiction potential are:
- Stimulants
- Opioids
- Sedatives
Stimulants
Stimulants are drugs that increase activity in the central nervous system. They do this by increasing the speed of messages sent in the body and the brain. Stimulants have varying effects, including an increase in energy, a heightening of emotion and sensation and a subsequent burst of confidence.
Common stimulants include:
- Cocaine
- Crack cocaine
- Crystal Meth
It can be difficult to give up stimulant drugs as they are known to affect the brain’s decision-making processes, making it harder for individuals to quit effectively.
Opioids
Opioids are a specific type of analgesic. These types of drugs are known for their strong pain-killing properties and adjacent sedative effects. Opioids can, therefore, give relief from chronic or acute pain and promote relaxation and sleepiness.
Common opioids include:
- Codeine
- Heroin
It can be difficult to give up opioids because these types of drugs are associated with significant changes in the reward systems of the brain, making it harder for individuals to break the addiction cycle.
Sedatives
Whilst opioids have accompanying sedative effects, there are specific types of drugs that primarily promote sleepiness and relaxation. These substances have an inhibitory effect on the nervous system that can help users feel calmer and more restful.
The main types of sedatives are benzodiazepines and ‘z’ drugs. These types of drugs are frequently prescribed for patients dealing with anxiety and conditions related to ill sleep. Not all sedative substances are legal – ketamine, a class B drug in the UK – has strong anaesthetic effects.
- Diazepam
- Ketamine
- Zopiclone
- Zolpidem
It can be difficult to give up sedative drugs as it is very common for individuals to become physically dependent on these types of substances, meaning that the physical effects of reducing or removing use can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Cannabis
A final substance that is particularly difficult to quit is cannabis. Cannabis is a psychoactive drug that is typically believed to carry ‘lower’ addiction potential. However, this misconception is perhaps a shadowy catalyst for the development of serious health effects due to long-term marijuana use, as individuals perceive it to be a ‘safe’ drug.
Why are some Drugs harder to give up than others?
Representations of drug addiction in media sometimes represent addiction as a broad experience: a one-size-fits-all phenomenon. However, this is not accurate, and believing that all types of substance use carry the same kind of risk is a dangerous myth to promote. Whilst all substances carry some level of risk, some others – such as specific stimulants, opioids and sedatives – can be particularly damaging. This is largely due to their impact on our psychological and physiological systems.
Psychological influences on addiction
Most (if not all) drugs have some mind-altering effect. These can range from substance to substance. However, there are several key ways that addiction impacts our psychology. These include:
- Emotional attachment to a substance
- Using substances as a coping mechanism
- Using substances to self-medicate a mental health condition
- Using substances due to peer pressure
- Using substances due to loneliness
- Using substance for their short-term performance-enhancing abilities
All of these effects of drugs can make the idea of quitting a substance somewhat undesirable. If we associate a substance with feeling better about ourselves, then it can be very difficult to accept that the drug could actually be causing us some level of harm.
Physiological Influences on Addiction
Most (if not all) drugs have the power to alter the physical structures in our bodies, be it the structures in our bodies or the structures in our brains. This means that drugs can alter us physically, almost rewiring specific functions that act to reinforce drug use. These changes include:
- stimulation of specific reward centres in the brain, leading to an association of the drug with pleasure
- stimulation of specific reward centres in the brain reinforcing drug-taking behaviour
- changes in the prefrontal cortex, meaning decision-making abilities are reduced
- changes in the prefrontal cortex, meaning that impulse control is reduced
- withdrawal symptoms reinforcing repeat use
These physiological changes can make it both physically and mentally uncomfortable to tolerate the absence of substances in the short-term.
Support available for drug addiction
Whilst some drugs are more difficult to quit than others, this does not mean that addictions are permanent. All addictions can be combated with help from appropriate medical experts. Addiction rehab typically takes the shape of:
- assessment/ admission
- addiction detox
- therapeutic intervention
- long-term aftercare
With this four-step approach, it is possible to move towards long-term recovery from addiction, regardless of the specific substance that may be present in your life.