• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
 

Anaheim Lighthouse

Your Beacon of Hope!

Questions? Call Now(877) 959-5909
  • About Us
  • What We Treat
  • Treatment Options
  • Our Facility
  • Admissions
  • Learn About
  • Contact Us
  • Our Team
  • Awards & Recognitions
  • Yelp & Google Reviews
  • Client Testimonials
  • Accreditation & Licensing
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Press Releases
  • Alchohol Abuse
  • Drug Addiction
  • Dual Diagnosis
  • Trauma Victims
  • Veterans Program
  • Holistic Treatment
  • Specialties
  • Detox Alcohol & Drugs
  • Drug Rehab
  • Inpatient Rehab
  • Complete Residential Care
  • Partial Hospitalization
  • Intensive Outpatient
  • Intervention
  • Family Support
  • Verify Insurance
  • Financing Options
  • Coronavirus Safety Procedures
  • Alcoholism
  • Health and Wellness
  • Life in Recovery
  • Love and Relationships
  • Opioid Addiction
  • Parent Resources
  • Relapse and Recovery
  • Substance Abuse
  • Opioids
  • Sleeping Pills
  • Stimulants

The 7 Hardest Drug Addictions to Kick

Nov 14 2017
Categories:Articles

More than 23.5 million Americans are addicted to drugs or alcohol, but only 11% of those addicted ever get the treatment they need. Many people attempt to quit themselves, often trying and failing multiple times – sometimes never succeeding. This pattern mimics one that many of us see in our everyday lives with less stigmatic drugs like caffeine, cigarettes, and sugar. Many people try to quit on their own, make it a few days, and then 'relapse', and have another cup of Starbucks.

But why are substances so addicting? And why are some of them harder to 'kick' than others? While the answer lies in the complex way that chemicals interact with receptors in our brains, and how our bodies adjust to those chemicals, that answer isn't hugely helpful in determining how difficult it is to quit.

In 2007, a study measuring the potential misuse of drugs scored common substances based on their 'addictiveness' and therefore how difficult the habit is to kick. While there are many drugs you might expect to see on the list, others, like nicotine, might surprise you.

Why is it Harder to Quite Some Drugs than Others?

Quitting is hard, even for relatively milder addictions. Anyone who has ever tried to quit drinking coffee or soda, only to be hit with splitting headaches (relatively mild in comparison to what you get quitting heroin) could tell you that. The difficulty of quitting, or kicking the habit, is determined by a few factors, but largely:

  • The drug's interaction with the dopamine receptors
  • The severity of withdrawal symptoms
  • Cognitive changes caused by the drug
  • Physical damage (such as gastrointestinal distress) caused by the drug
  • Psychological addiction
  • Cravings

These factors can be measured, and fairly easily used to determine how difficult it will be to quit a drug. However, personal factors also come into play. These are largely personal willpower (sense of self and ego), motivation, and discipline or self-control. A very disciplined person could likely force themselves to go through withdrawal and then to quit substance use on the first try. Unfortunately, most people who become addicted don't have strong self-denial skills to begin with, and the effects of most drugs naturally erode these skills. So, most must re-learn them in recovery.

The 7 Hardest Drug Addictions to Kick

While any drug habit is hard to recover from, the following 7 are among the hardest habits to kick.

1. Nicotine

There are over 40 million smokers in the United States, and 35 million of them regularly say they want to quit. Yet, most of them don't. Most of us are aware that smoking is the #1 cause of preventable death in the United States, and people continue to smoke. Why? Withdrawal is extremely difficult and many users quickly relapse within 3-15 days. In one study, it was shown that the average person has attempted to quit more than 35 times, but 85% fail. Nicotine hits the brain in just 10-30 seconds and withdrawal symptoms can start a few hours after putting down your last. However, that's not why most people fail. The average quitter makes it through the worst withdrawal period of 3-5 days, and then, overconfident that they're over the worst, give in to cravings.

2. Benzodiazepines

Benzos like Valium and Xanax are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States, but they are extremely addictive. In fact, most benzodiazepines now have a recommended prescription length of just 5 weeks, while historically, many users have been given prescriptions that go on for years or even decades. Benzodiazapines affect the dopamine receptors and GABA receptors in the brain, which eventually becomes reliant on them. Over the long-term, these drugs are linked to increasing anxiety, panic attacks, and even increased aggression, as their continued presence causes more and more changes to the brain. Quitting them causes strong withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, hallucinations, anxiety, cramps, nausea, headaches, vomiting, and depression. Symptoms are so bad that most users should have medical care during detox and many eventually take a pill again to stop the symptoms. However, benzos are also extremely mentally addicting. Because many users take pills to stop anxiety, PTSD symptoms, depressive episodes, or even panic attacks, they come to rely on the effect of the pill stopping that episode to the point where it becomes a placebo, which is an even more difficult addiction to kick.

3. Cocaine

Cocaine and crack cocaine are abused by nearly 20 million people worldwide, with an estimated 1.5 million addicts in the USA. Cocaine floods the brain with massive amounts of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric rush that often leaves users feeling emotionally blunted afterwards. It's also responsible for about 40% of all drug-related emergency room visits. Like nicotine, cocaine is typically inhaled, reaching the brain within just a few minutes, which means that withdrawal symptoms set in quickly. Users typically experience a strong depressive crash, anxiety, agitation, nightmares, restlessness, and irritability. Like other drugs, many use again to reduce the withdrawal symptoms. However, emotional blunting, which reduces the experience of everyday life and the desire to feel something again are often what push users into relapsing.

anaheimlighthouse-the-7-hardest-drug-addictions-to-kick-article-photo-addicted-young-man-consuming-illegal-drugs-by-oral-administration-while-lying-down-on-the-sofa-in-a-727862743

4. Amphetamines

Prescription amphetamines like Adderall and Myadis are used to treat a variety of problems ranging from depression and anxiety to ADHD and obesity. However, they are also one of the most addictive drugs in the world, mimicking the effect of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, creating a rush of adrenaline alongside euphoria. During withdrawal, these dual effects come into play to make the drug extremely difficult to quit, with strong cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Users experience depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and mood swings, combined with flu symptoms accompanying most withdrawal – and may be a danger to themselves. Most are recommended to taper off the drug to reduce withdrawal symptoms and to detox under medical care.

5. Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine and Crystal Meth are a form of amphetamines, but typically considerably stronger than what you get under a prescription. Methamphetamine is the powdered version, while crystal meth is a stronger version sold in 'crystals' to be smoked or injected. The drug is a central nervous system stimulant, giving the same but a stronger version of the high associated with prescription amphetamines. As a result, withdrawal symptoms and cravings are stronger than over-the-counter amphetamines, and many users have an even harder time kicking the habit.

6. Morphine

Morphine is an opiate and one of the most addictive drugs on the planet. While used in clinical settings for pain relief and sedation, morphine has a long history in the United States and around the world as an addictive narcotic, and one of the hardest addictions to get over. Over 20 million people are addicted to opiates worldwide, and with 91 people in the United States dying each day because of an opioid drug related factor, morphine is extremely dangerous. However, it's extremely difficult to withdraw from. Most users experience depression, increased blood pressure, arrhythmia, muscle pain, irritability, mood swings, vomiting, insomnia, tremors, and strong cravings. Mental addiction and cravings, alongside stress and anxiety caused by withdrawal, often make detox extremely difficult to get through alone.

7. Heroin

Heroin, or diamorphine, is an opioid, typically synthesized as stronger and more addictive than morphine. While the two drugs are closely related, heroin is up to 200x stronger than its medically approved 'cousin', and equally more dangerous and addictive. Users often overdose, and more than a quarter of the opioid related deaths in the United States are caused by the drug. Withdrawal symptoms are typically more severe than morphine, but include the same pattern of muscle aches, stomach pain and vomiting, tremors, and cravings.

Most drugs are mentally and physically addictive, and users can have more trouble kicking their mental habits than their physical ones. For example, while many people make it through the first 3-4 days of quitting cigarettes, they often slip up and go back to smoking afterwards, after the worst of the withdrawal symptoms have passed. Getting treatment, including therapy, to help with the mental aspects of detox and recovery can be an important part of ensuring that someone stays clean after detox.

For users who are very heavily addicted, who might experience strong or even dangerous withdrawal symptoms, most treatment centers offer some form of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), with a medication like Suboxone to reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent cravings during treatment and therapy. This ensure that the recovering addict can make it through recovery, focus on their treatment, and withdraw from their drug safely.

If you or your loved one is struggling with addiction, you can talk to us about addiction treatment programs  at our affordable drug and alcohol rehab that fit your needs, contact us today.  The Anaheim Lighthouse is a modern and effective addiction treatment center in Southern California.

Confidential Contact Form

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Privacy Policy

Learn About Lighthouse

  • Affordable Drug Rehab and Detox Center
  • CARF Certified
  • Homelike setting and world-class facilities
  • State licensed and certified
  • Most PPO insurance accepted
  • Specialized Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs
  • Licensed and well-qualified professional staff
KNOW MORE

BLOG CATEGORIES

All Categories Alcoholism Drug Facts Health and Wellness Love and Relationships Opioid Addiction

Recent Posts

Snort Xanax

Can You Snort Xanax? Dangers You Should Know

March 20 2023
Alcoholism

5 Ways To Spot A Closet Drinker

March 13 2023
St. Patrick's Day In Addiction Recovery

Surviving St. Patrick's Day In Recovery

March 3 2023
Snort Hydrocodone

Can You Snort Hydrocodone? Here's Why You Shouldn't?

February 17 2023
Valentine's Day When You're Single And Sober

How To Spend Valentine's Day When You're Single And Sober

February 6 2023

WHY CHOOSE LIGHTHOUSE

  • Affordable Drug Rehab and Detox Center
  • CARF Certified
  • Homelike setting and world-class facilities
  • State licensed and certified
  • Most PPO insurance accepted
  • Specialized Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs
  • Licensed and well-qualified professional staff

Google Reviews

Christopher Tamburello

Absolutely loved this place. Great counselors- my counselor was Johnny. Great Alumni aftercare program that helps keep you connected. I highly recommend Lighthouse for anyone struggling with alcohol or drug addiction.

Josh Mugol

When I first stepped in to fill out the paper work to get admitted to housing, I immediately felt welcomed. If you treat the staff, therapists, and doctors with respect and use common courtesy, you will get more in return. The staff is run by former addicts/alcoholics so they...

Teresa Egan

The Lighthouse saved my life. I was willing to do whatever it takes to learn how to live a new way of life. Before I came into the program I was a hollow shell just wanting to die.. The staff loved me until I could love myself, and taught me how to deal with myself. I have a...

Related Posts

Sep 12 2018

Does Hypnosis Work for Drug Addiction?

Hypnosis or hypnotherapy is the process of using relaxation techniques to induce suggestions on the mind, which then affect the conscious mind, which is thought to be effective in treating substance use disorders related to behavioral problems. While often a subject of contention in medical circl...
Aug 29 2018

7 Bad Habits That Will Affect Your Recovery

Whether you’ve recently left rehab or have been in recovery for some time, relapse is always a risk. Taking the time and care to build good habits revolving around keeping your mental and physical health in a good place, helping you to cope with cravings, and building a support network so that wh...
Aug 22 2018

Drug Use at Raves and Club

Clubs and raves are almost as well-known for their drugs as for music and dancing, with millions of people around the world participating in a culture of use and abuse while out. These drugs range from the well-known MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) to a range of less-identifiable drugs known...
Aug 15 2018

How I Forgave Myself for My Drug Addiction

When the time came in my recovery to apologize to and make amends with all of the people I hurt during my using, I expected I would finally be free of all of the guilt I carried. It didn't quite work out that way. The Value of an Apology First of all, not everyone accepted my apology or wanted t...
Aug 09 2018

Setting Healthy Boundaries with an Addict

Boundaries are an incredibly healthy part of any relationship, but when your loved one is addicted to a substance, good boundaries can mean the difference between a toxic relationship that harms you and them and one in which both of you can benefit. Addiction changes people, damaging the ego and ...
Aug 01 2018

8 Ways to Teach Yourself You Deserve Love in Recovery

After I hit my bottom and came into recovery I realized that I had super low self-esteem, and that those feelings would need to change somehow. I thought once I got sober that it would be a piece of cake. After all, my drinking was what caused all of my problems. I was clueless. GETTING TO KNOW ...

We Accept Insurance

Don’t see your provider? Contact us to confirm coverage.

3 Easy Options to Get Started or Learn More

You Call Us

We are here to answer your questions. Learn about detox, treatment, costs, or anything else. Give us a call now.
(877) 959-5909

We Call You

Complete this secure form to receive a fast response from our support team
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Verify Your Insurance

Quickly confirm your coverage using our fast & easy verification system. We accept most insurances (and financing).
Verify My Insurance
  • About Us
  • What We Treat
  • Treatment Options
  • Our Facility
  • Admissions
  • Learn About
  • Contact Us

Connect With Us

(877) 959-5909

1320 West Pearl Street, Anaheim, CA 92801

Licensed and Certified by the State Department of Health Care Services 300188AP Exp. 5/31/2024
Licensed by the State Department of Health Care Services 300188CP Exp. 5/31/2024
Certified by the State Department of Health Care Services 300188FP Exp 5/31/2023

Copyright © 2022 Anaheim Lighthouse. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Web Accessibility