What drugs lead to addiction?

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What drugs lead to addiction?

Drugs that are commonly misused include:

  • Alcohol.
  • Club drugs, like GHB, ketamine, MDMA (ecstasy/molly), flunitrazepam (Rohypnol®).
  • Stimulants, such as cocaine (including crack) and methamphetamine (meth).
  • Hallucinogens, including ayahuasca, D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), peyote (mescaline), phencyclidine (PCP) and DMT.
  • Inhalants, including solvents, aerosol sprays, gases and nitrites (poppers).
  • Marijuana.
  • Opioid pain killers such as heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine and morphine.
  • Prescription drugs and cold medicines.
  • Sedatives, hypnotics and anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medications).
  • Steroids (anabolic).
  • Synthetic cannabinoids (K2 or Spice).
  • Synthetic cathinones (bath salts).
  • Tobacco/nicotine and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or vaping).

While these drugs are very different from each other, they all strongly activate the addiction center of the brain. That is what makes these substances habit-forming, while others are not.

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