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The Different Types of Drugs People Get Addicted To

Are you looking to kick an addiction for good and set your life back onto a path of health, happiness, and sobriety rather than one of pain? It is important to understand how different types of drugs and drug categories can make everyone’s experiences distinct and unique from another.

6 Minute Read | Published Sep 05 2023 | Updated Feb 23 2024 Expert Verified
Emma Collins
Written by
Dameisha Gibson
Reviewed by
Emma Collins
Written by
Dameisha Gibson
Reviewed by

The team at Better Addiction Care specializes in providing several resources for addiction treatment seekers. These resources are free for anyone wishing to learn more about their condition or how to make it a thing of the past. With our resources, you will learn about the different types of drugs that someone can become addicted to, how the experience can differ, and how you can make your struggle, even if it’s been life-long, a thing of the past.  

Understanding the different types of addiction drugs can burden someone, considering how much they need to learn. This starts with knowing the different substances that someone can come into contact with and become dependent on.

Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the various drugs that have the capability of causing addiction. 

Opiate Narcotic Drugs

Opiate drugs are created from compounds found within the opium poppy. In medical terms, opiate medications are highly effective in relieving pain symptoms. Types of drugs commonly abused in the opiate category include:

  • Heroin
  • Morphine
  • Oxycodone (OxyContin or Percocet)
  • Hydrocodone (Vicodin)

When opiate painkiller drugs are abused, a person’s risk of developing a physical dependency is increased. If a physically dependent person tries to stop using the drug abruptly, a range of horribly unpleasant physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms will likely emerge.

Stimulant Drugs

Some types of stimulant drugs can be highly effective in medical settings. Even cocaine, a powerful stimulant, was once used in dentistry. Some amphetamine formulations may effectively treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Other types of stimulant drugs are created purely for recreational purposes. These substances are usually manufactured in illegal drug labs before being distributed on the streets. However, when stimulant drugs are abused for non-medical purposes, they can cause serious psychological dependency and addiction that can be challenging to stop and treat.

Types of drugs commonly abused in the stimulant category include:

  • Amphetamine (Adderall, Ritalin)
  • Cocaine
  • Crack cocaine
  • Methamphetamine (crystal meth, ice)

Sedative/Tranquilizer Drugs

Sedative drugs act as depressants on the central nervous system and have a tranquilizing or hypnotic effect. These effects make them particularly useful for treating certain conditions. Different drugs within the sedative category can be used to treat seizures or epilepsy. In contrast, others are useful for treating sleeping disorders, anxiety, or panic attacks.

Types of drugs commonly abused in the sedative/tranquilizer category include:

Other Types of Addictive Substances

While there is a strong focus on the various categories of drugs that can cause serious physical and psychological addiction, there is also a range of other commonly abused substances.

Some of the different types of drugs that many people overlook when considering drug addiction include:

Marijuana – Of all the drugs people can abuse, marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug globally. Even with many states now considering marijuana a legal substance, that does not mean a person cannot become addicted to this substance.

Alcohol – As alcohol is a legal substance, many people don’t fully realize how addictive it can be. It’s also common for people to slide into alcoholism without recognizing how severe their drinking problem has become. They often believe they’re still in control and deny the possibility of addiction.

Nicotine – Statistics show that more than 50% of people being treated for alcohol dependence also have a significant nicotine addiction.1 Some addiction rehab centers focus strongly on treating alcohol dependence, but co-occurring nicotine addictions should simultaneously be treated.

Steroids – Some people begin using anabolic steroids to improve athletic performance. However, prolonged use of steroids can lead to an addiction that can be difficult to quit.

There is a slew of different drug types available, many of which can be extremely useful in medical settings. However, abusing any addictive substance for non-medical purposes can result in dependency or addiction. There is also a risk of developing a co-occurring substance addiction, especially if the person simultaneously takes more than one type of drug.

If you, or someone you know, is struggling to break free from addiction, take the time to reach out and ask for help from a professional rehab treatment facility. It could be the first step on the journey to recovery.

How Different Substances Lead To Different Types of Drug Addiction Treatment

Different types of illegal and legal drugs present an issue that some may not be aware of. Different drug types may require different approaches to treatment based on the substances and their effects on users.

If you want to truly combat which of these different types of drugs you may be addicted to, then it is important to understand the battle ahead. You need to know how these drugs manifest with different types of drug abuse that can require specific approaches.

Look at the addiction rehab programs guide provided by our team. There you will find a comprehensive breakdown of the many different options for treatment that are available. With this resource, you can come to an informed conclusion before enrolling in any drug addiction or alcoholism treatment centers.

Once you have dealt with growing your knowledge of such programs, our team, through our other free online resources and also, depending on your situation, can help connect you with the perfect providers. 

Fight Different Types of Drug Abuse Properly 

If you are interested in kicking an addiction to any of the different types of drugs listed in this article that you or someone you know has, then be sure to do it the right way. Make use of all the resources at your disposal. Our national directory of drug and alcohol abuse treatment facilities makes it possible to filter your searches for teams down to the county or city in which you live.

Also, it’s integral to verify insurance for addiction treatment through our team. Doing this will help ensure that no unexpected bumps in the road are hit when you’re trying to receive the best care available in your area.

Are you interested in reading more insights from our team of addiction treatment experts? If so, be sure to read some of the other addiction treatment articles on our blog. Our blog contains further information regarding all aspects of addiction from our team of experts in the field.

If you have any questions about our resources and how they can help you make addiction a thing of the past, feel free to call our team today. Get all of your addiction and treatment questions answered when you speak with a Better Addiction Care resource team member. 

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