One of the most serious problems facing America today is drug and alcohol addiction. It’s no secret that drugs are destroying the lives of people all across this country. Regardless of race, age or class, drug abuse is rampant and must be stopped in order to help people live lives of consequence. Combating drug and alcohol use is very difficult for a number of reasons, but one of which is the huge amount of false information being disseminated to the general public. It’s not wise to believe everything you hear, especially when it comes to information about dangerous and addictive drugs. Now if this information was coming from a physician or drug treatment counselor then obviously the information is probably true. The problem is many people learn about drugs and alcohol from their peers who are not always the most informed. Many people are unaware of how dangerous and addictive a drug may be before they try it. Here are a few facts about the most addictive drugs out there today.

It used to be drugs were sold exclusively on the black market. They still are today, but now there is a new marketplace for dangerous and addictive drugs. Pharmaceuticals such as painkillers and anti-anxiety medications are quickly becoming the most used drugs in the country. Painkillers such as Oxycodone and Vicodin both give powerful highs and carry a huge risk for dependency and overdosing. Doctors are prescribing these hazardous pills at an alarming rate and as a result the number of prescription drug overdoses are through the roof in recent years. Medications such as Valium or Xanax carry similar risks when it comes to dependency and overdosing.

One very dangerous drug which you’ve probably heard of is cocaine. Long known for its status as an elitist drug of the upper class, cocaine has a storied history in the United States which began in the 1980’s. Cocaine has a direct effect on the dopamine receptors in the brain, acting as a stimulant. The high from cocaine is only about a half hour long, so users need to continually use the drug to maintain the high. This means that it’s easy to develop an addiction as well as overdose. Quitting cocaine is very difficult to do, particularly if you’ve been using regularly for an extended period of time.

Many people don’t consider alcohol a drug, but it is one of the most addictive substances there is. Since so many people use alcohol, it can be really hard to tell if you or someone you know has developed an addiction to it. Even if that person does recognize they have a problem, then what? Well, calling the Alcohol Rehab Helpline in Indianapolis, IN is a great start. The trained addiction counselors know the newest and most effective techniques when it comes to treating substance abuse and addiction.