Certain drugs are considered more dangerous than others. These are substances that regularly lead to addiction and have the potential to be abused. Some of the substances within our top 10 most dangerous drugs may come as no surprise, but a few may make you stop and think about your current lifestyle. We have also included a drug that has made a relatively new appearance on the streets of Scotland that carries a high risk of overdose and death.
The reality is that any drug, when used excessively, can have serious health complications. Cannabis and alcohol are prime examples of widely used substances. Whilst these substances carry health risks, they can be used in moderation with few short-term health risks. On the other hand, some substances are considered extremely dangerous, ones that can lead to addiction, and overdose can happen with only one use. These drugs are considered to be the most dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.
At Detox Plus UK, we help people all over the world to overcome alcohol and drug addiction. Regardless of the drug you have a problem with, we provide a medical drug detox, bespoke rehabilitation and a comprehensive aftercare plan for long-term recovery.
Here, we look at some of the most dangerous and addictive drugs we frequently come across in the treatment environment, what rehab treatment they require and how you can access it.
Our Top 10 Most Dangerous & Addictive Drugs
1. Fentanyl – The Most Dangerous Drug On The Street
Fentanyl, a prescription medication used for chronic pain, is the second most potent and dangerous opioid drug on the planet, superseded only by Carfentanyl. Thankfully, Carfentanyl rarely makes an appearance on our streets.
Fentanyl has legitimate medical uses in a hospital setting and for end-of-life patients who have become tolerant to other opioids. However, misuse of this drug is often fatal, leading to respiratory depression and arrest. Nearly 75% of all drug-related deaths are caused by an opioid, with Fentanyl becoming increasingly available on the street.
In recent years, street Fentanyl has made an appearance in parts of the UK, with drug dealers selling it cut with heroin. It only takes a very small amount of Fentanyl to overdose in a person who has little or no tolerance for this drug. Regular use of Fentanyl frequently leads to dependence and addiction. Fentanyl withdrawals are practically impossible to manage without medical help. Rehab centres for drugs provide prescription detox, which manages the severe symptoms and keeps you safe under the medical staff’s supervision.
2. Alcohol – Often Underestimated
Alcohol is often not recognised as a drug because it is legal and easily accessible. When used responsibly, alcohol is usually not dangerous. However, it is a substance that is frequently misused with disastrous consequences.
Alcohol dependence and addiction are commonly treated in drug and alcohol rehabs, more so than any other drug.
In the UK in 2021, there were 9,641 deaths specifically caused by alcohol. Binge drinking is prevalent in today’s society and often leads to hospitalisation and even death.
Even moderate alcohol consumption can increase your risk of cancer, liver disease, and heart disease. High-risk drinking not only harms the individual but also has a significant impact on their family, friends, and colleagues at work.
3. Heroin – A Potent Class A Opioid
Heroin is a highly addictive drug that can be injected or smoked. It strongly impacts the brain and slows down breathing, which can be dangerous in large amounts.
Long-term use of heroin can lead to various health problems. Heroin is well tolerated by most people and produces a pronounced euphoric high.
Heroin overdose is a real risk, especially if you inject the drug or mix it with other substances.
We have listed this as one of our top 10 most dangerous drugs due to its addictiveness and the number of deaths it causes. You only need to take heroin for a few consecutive days before feeling “dope sick” if you try to go without it. The safest place to detox heroin is in a specialist rehab where you can take the necessary detox medication to manage symptoms and stay under medical supervision.
4. Cocaine – Powerfully Addictive & Moreish
Cocaine is powerfully addictive and one of the most dangerous Class A drugs available. Drug users usually take cocaine by sniffing it. It can, however, be diluted and injected also.
Crack Cocaine delivers an even more intense rush of euphoria and is the concentrated form of powdered cocaine. The number of deaths caused by cocaine has skyrocketed over the past decade due to an increase in purity.
According to the latest estimates, there are around 21.46 million cocaine users worldwide, with the highest number found in America.
Often seen as a party drug, cocaine has a very sinister side. Due to its addictiveness, users are known to go on cocaine binges that can last for hours, if not days. As one of the world’s most powerful stimulants, cocaine has been known to cause heart attacks in otherwise healthy people in their early 20s and 30s.
Cocaine is a costly habit, with those addicted often turning to criminal activity to fund their drug use.
Rehab provides a safe, temptation-free space for you to recover physically and mentally. You will also have access to prescription medication to ease the detox and reduce cravings.
5. Bromazolam in the UK – A Designer Benzo Overtaking Scotland
Bromazolam is a designer drug that was first synthesized in 1976 and is one of the most dangerous benzodiazepines available on the street.
Benzodiazepines, also known as ‘benzos’, are prescription-only drugs used to treat anxiety, seizures and muscle spasms. They are well known for being one of the most addictive drugs available.
Health officials have raised serious concerns over soaring rates of Bromazolam tablets being seized by authorities across Scotland. Bromazolam (sometimes stamped as Xanax) has now overtaken the Scottish streets, with widespread availability across the country.
Bromazolam has powerful sedative and sleep-inducing effects. As a result, there is a substantial risk of overdose.
Public Health Scotland (PHS) has reported that they have found a significant increase in the use of ‘benzos’ or ‘street valium’ in Scotland and that Bromazolam has now overtaken etizolam.
Bomazalam is so powerful that users can experience memory loss for days after taking the drug. Effects reported include blackouts and reduced levels of consciousness.
6. Ketamine – “The Horse Tranquilliser”
Ketamine, which was initially used as a sedative for horses, became popular as a recreational drug in the 1990s. Although it can be safely given in a medical setting for pain management and, more recently, for antidepressant-resistant depression, using ketamine excessively or self-medicating can be very risky.
Health risks of ketamine abuse include elevated blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, confusion, kidney failure, and liver problems. Moreover, because ketamine alters the mind and causes hallucinations, addiction to this drug can lead people to make irrational choices that risk their safety and even their lives.
Rehab for Ketamine addiction will involve a medical detox with a prescription to prevent dangerous heart problems and keep residents calm.
7. Methamphetamine – Death Rates Up by 180%
Methamphetamine, also known as crank, glass, meth, ice, and crystal meth, is a potent and dangerous drug that has stimulant effects on the central nervous system. It is more affordable than cocaine and can produce a similar high when smoked. Prolonged use of methamphetamine can lead to changes in the brain, causing addiction.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), overdose deaths involving methamphetamine in the United States saw a significant increase of 180% from 2015 to 2019. This alarming trend highlights the severity of the problem with this dangerous drug.
The majority of crystal methamphetamine is manufactured in homemade labs, contributing to the widespread issue.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that methamphetamine is popular among the gay party scene in the UK due to its perceived enhancement of sexual experiences.
8. Oxycodone – One Of The Most Dangerous Opioid Drugs
Oxycodone is a potent opioid painkiller that is commonly prescribed for moderate to severe pain. It is highly addictive and can lead to physical dependence and addiction with prolonged use.
Oxycodone is listed as one of our most dangerous drugs due to its ability to cause respiratory depression, overdose, and death.
Misuse of oxycodone has become a major public health concern, with many people turning to illegal sources such as the streets and the dark web to obtain the drug.
Whilst fentanyl remains the primary cause of opioid-related deaths, Oxycodone is frequently abused for its powerful euphoric effects.
As with most opioids, oxycodone withdrawal can be painful and dangerous without a medical detox. Rehab for prescription drugs such as this is the safest way to stop, and being inside a rehabilitation centre reduces the chances of relapse.
9. Methadone – Frequently Prescribed For Heroin Addiction
Methadone is a synthetic opioid medication that is primarily used for the treatment of opioid dependence and chronic pain management.
While it can be an effective tool in helping individuals overcome opioid addiction, methadone itself can be addictive and has the potential for misuse.
Many people report that weaning off a Methadone script is harder than giving up their original drug, heroin.
Overdose deaths involving methadone have been on the rise in recent years, highlighting the dangers associated with this drug. One of the main dangers of Methadone is that there is nothing to stop a heroin user from using heroin on top. This frequently leads to dual dependence and overdose. A rehab can treat dual dependence and offer medical detox to prevent the most severe side effects and reduce cravings.
10. Synthetic Cannabinoids – Nothing Like Cannabis
Synthetic cannabinoids, also known as “Spice,” “Black mamba”, or “K2,” are man-made designer drugs made to mimic the effects of marijuana.
These herbal smoking mixtures are often marketed as legal alternatives to cannabis but are far more dangerous due to their unpredictable effects and potency.
Synthetic cannabinoids have been linked to severe health complications such as seizures, psychosis, kidney damage, and even death. The chemicals used in these substances can vary widely from batch to batch, making them particularly risky for users.
Help For One Of The Most Dangerous Drugs
At Detox Plus UK, we understand the dangers associated with these drugs and offer comprehensive treatment tailored to your individual needs.
Being addicted to any one of these drugs is a life-threatening condition. It is not often possible to stop without professional help.
You can start your recovery today and free yourself from the grips of addiction with our full medical detox, conducted within one of our private rehabilitation centres. It can be complicated to find a rehab that will accept people who are taking some of the more dangerous recreational drugs in circulation. We have access to clinics across the UK and can find you or a loved one space in a rehab that is equipped for almost any drug addiction.
Following your safe detoxification, you can then undergo a bespoke rehabilitation programme delivered by professionals to ensure you never have to return to substance use again.
Call us for information on any one of these high-risk drugs and a free and confidential assessment of your treatment needs.
Q & A On the Most Dangerous Drugs
Q. Is cannabis one of the most dangerous drugs?
- Cannabis is used on a global level. However, in many countries, including the UK, it is still a banned substance.
Whilst Cannabis doesn’t directly cause death, it is possible to overdose on THC.
THC is the psychoactive component in Cannabis products. Where Cannabis is unregulated, the potency of THC can be extremely strong. Cannabis abuse has been linked to the triggering of serious mental health conditions. Additionally, cannabis use can lead to dependence and addiction.
Children and the elderly have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to THC’s effects.
Q. What is the dangerous drugs board?
- The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) is a government organisation responsible for formulating policies to address the issue of illegal drugs in the Philippines.
The Philippines is well known for its prolific drug use, with an estimated 1.7 million Philipinos using dangerous drugs in 2019
Q. Why is alcohol considered one of the most dangerous drugs when it isn’t even a drug?
- Alcohol is a depressant drug in liquid form. As alcohol is legal and socially acceptable, many people don’t consider it to be a drug. However, the risks associated with alcohol abuse and high-risk drinking are very real.
The NHS reports that nearly 8 Million people in the UK are alcohol dependent. This means that if these people try to stop or reduce their drinking, they will experience unpleasant and sometimes life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
Q. What are the most dangerous and addictive painkillers?
- Any opiate-based painkiller can lead to addiction within only a relatively short time frame of use. Even over-the-counter medications that contain the opiate codeine can lead to drug dependence; they are most dangerous when mixed with alcohol or other drugs.
Prescription drug-wise, commonly prescribed opiate painkillers include Zapain, Tramadol, Hydrocodone and Morphine. Tapentadol is another powerful opiate that has become widely available on the dark net.
