What is the most addictive 'street" drug?

Question

Doing research for school, what are the side effects for cocaine and other drugs?

Answer 1

The most addictive drug out there is nicotine. The most addictive illegal (or 'Street' drug) is the smoked version of Meth.

Here is a list of addictive drugs from the most addictive to the least from my abnormal psychology book...

Nicotine
Ice, Glass (smoked methamphetamine)
Crack
Crystal Meth (injected methamphetamine)
Valium (diazepam, a common prescription drug)
Quaalude
Seconal
Alcohol
Heroine
Crank (amphetamine taken nasally)
Cocaine
Caffeine
PCP
Marijuana
Ecstasy
Psilocybin Mushrooms
LSD
Mescaline

Hope that helps put some perspective on it.

Anything that is addictive, is so because it has a side effect that screws up the nervous system in some way.

1. Cocaine causes rushes of dopamine (used to transmit pleasure sensations between neurons) called a 'high'.
2. To protect themselves from dopamine rushes the neurons allow dopamine receptors on their membranes to die off.
3. When a person is not taking cocaine their dopamine levels return to normal but the person feels depressed because the normal levels are absorbed less than normal since the receptors have been reduced.
4. This causes the person to desire the drug to achieve the pleasure again.
5. This also means that to achieve the same 'high' as before, larger amounts of cocaine are needed since there are less receptors for it.
6. The cycle continues until the person quits cold turkey and allows the body to regrow some of the dopamine receptors, but they will never return to the original levels which means the cocaine addict is 'at risk', or addicted at some level for their entire life.

Answer 2

It used to be heroin, but I heard that methanphetamine over took it. Meth is now considered an epidemic is what I've been hearing. Especially that it's being found in so many small communities. I have also heard that Oxycontin is the most addictive pharmacutical drug. I hope this helps you. Good luck.

Answer 3

Pot is not a physically addictive drug like the other drugs out there meaning there's no physical symptoms if you decide to stop doing it. It is mentally addictive though.

Answer 4

I'm not sure which is the most addictive.
But as for side effects check out the link.

Answer 5

Heroin or crack. 97% the only drug more addicting is nicotine
Side effects of heroin is constipation ( Seriously) It is medically the worst thing that happens from using heroin. some may say the withdrawls are the worse, but that does not come from using that comes from stopping using. Cocaine side effects include increased heart rate and paranoia

Answer 6

I know where I come from that "Meth"( better known as ice) is the most addictive drug on the street. It is made cheaply and sold cheaply, it can ruin even the most productive of our society and turn them into shells of their former selves. hope this helps..

Answer 7

Used to be Crack, but Meth is taking the lead.
Crack and Meth make your teeth rot and fall out and you don't eat, so are skinny and have all the problems poor nutrition causes like constipation, weakened immune system, weak bones, etc.
Cocaine causes sinus problems if snorted and will break down the mucus membranes in the nose until it bleeds constantly. If injected, cocaine causes injection site infection, AIDS, hepatitis, sores, etc.

Answer 8

heroin is by far the most addictive. there aren't that many serious side effects from using cocaine, it's mostly from withdrawl or taking too much

Answer 9

Nicotene. I have patients who are dying, barrel chested from empysema, gasping for their last breaths, using high doses of oxygen asking for a cigarette.

Answer 10

Nicotine. Way beyond opiates or cocaine.


(It just kills slower, and therefore can be taxed longer, so it remains legal.