8 Weird Facts About the Most Addictive Drugs in the World

Around 3.6 million years of life are lost each year to premature death as a result of drug use, while 124 million people are dependent on alcohol worldwide.

With statistics like these, it’s clear to see that addiction is a global human crisis. Although, thanks to increased awareness of this growing issue in recent years, more people are finally seeking the treatment for addiction they need. 

Of course, using addictive substances is nothing new. Experts have found residues of an alcoholic beverage dating back as early as 7,000 BC in China, making alcohol almost as old as civilization itself. 

And, seeking highs from addictive substances isn’t restricted to the human race either. Wallabies in Australia like to enter poppy fields and get so high on the poppy seeds used to make opium that they end up walking around in circles. 

If these weird facts about addictive drugs have piqued your interest, read on to learn more about the most addictive drugs in the world. 

1. Heroin Products Were Once Sold OTC

Heroin is often at the top of the list when it comes to the most addictive drugs, which you can learn more about here. 

But it might surprise you to learn that heroin was once sold over the counter, in the same way we buy OTC medications like aspirin and cold remedies today. In fact, back in 1898, heroin was marketed as an effective cough suppressant and a ‘non-addictive’ substitute for morphine. 

Although heroin was a popular remedy at first, doctors soon realized that it was actually more potent and far more addictive than morphine. As a result, the drug fell out of favor and was outlawed everywhere. 

2. Two-Thirds of Those Who Smoke Become Addicted

It might be legal, but ask any smoker trying to quit and you’ll see why nicotine is one of the top ten most addictive drugs.

What you might not realize, however, is how just one cigarette can lead to dependence. According to a research review, 68.9 percent of people questioned smoked daily for a time after trying a cigarette. 

This fast-acting dependence is due to the way nicotine causes a brief but powerful surge in endorphins. This, in turn, leads to a desire for repeated exposure to smoking, where a change in brain circuits helps form a dependency.

3. Legal Drinking Ages Range from 10 to 21 Around the World

Alcohol is another substance that’s legal in most of the world while scoring high on the addictive drug list. 

It’s also one of the most destructive drugs out there. Alcohol consumption kills 3.3 million people each year, accounting for 5.9 percent of all deaths. 

Despite the dangers of alcohol, it might come as a surprise to learn that it’s perfectly legal to drink alcohol at any age in some countries. These include Bolivia, Cameroon, and Indonesia, while in Antigua and Barbuda and Central African Republic you have to be at least 10. 

4. The Heroin Look Was ‘Chic’ in the 90s

If you’ve seen the cult 90s movie ‘Trainspotting’ you’ll know that there’s nothing glamorous about heroin addiction. 

But, around the same time of the movie’s release, there was a movement in fashion photography known as ‘heroin chic’. The trend featured emaciated models who looked as if they were on drugs, with hallmarks such as dark circle, blank stares, and pale skin. 

Thankfully, like many weird fashion trends from the past, this look soon fell out of vogue. The fashion world realized that promoting drug use was far from cool when photographer Davide Sorrenti died from a heroin overdose in 1997. 

His death also coincided with a global heroin epidemic as a result of an influx of cheap heroin from Colombia. This led to then-president Bill Clinton condemning images promoting ‘heroin chic’. 

5. Prescription Drugs Kill More People Than Illegal Drugs

Most people would assume that heroin, cocaine and crystal meth were the deadliest drugs in existence. 

But, although we hear many horror stories about these illegal substances, in terms of deaths, addictive prescription drugs are far more dangerous. 

In 2017, prescription opioids such as fentanyl and hydrocodone caused more than 17,000 deaths in the United States alone.

6. Nicotine Is Extremely Poisonous

Not only is nicotine high on the addictive drug list but it’s extremely poisonous. Just 60 mg of nicotine in pure liquid form is a lethal dose for an average adult, while as little as a teaspoon of nicotine is enough to kill a child. 

That said, tobacco products don’t contain enough nicotine to cause a fatal overdose as smokers only inhale around one milligram of nicotine per cigarette.  

7. The Flesh-Eating Drug Taking Over Russia

Desomorphine might not be as well-known as other addictive substances, but this drug is causing a lethal epidemic in Russia. 

Desomorphine was first synthesized in 1932 to create a painkiller with fewer side effects than morphine. But desomorphine is ten times stronger than morphine and is eliminated from the body much quicker, making it highly addictive. 

Although desomorphine fell out of use because of this, the high price of heroin in Russia has resulted in a resurgence. Although this time, it’s not pharmaceutical grade desomorphine, but ‘Krokodil’ – a version made in kitchen labs from codeine, paint thinner and hydrochloric acid. 

What’s truly horrifying about Krokodil is that it causes users’ skin to rot in record time until they’re left with skin that resembles a crocodile, which is most likely how the drug got its name. 

8. Eye Color May Influence Alcohol Addiction

A 2015 study found that eye color can make a difference in alcohol consumption and addiction. 

Researchers found that light-eyed Americans of European descent consume more alcohol than dark-eyed Americans of European descent. And, blue-eyed Americans of European descent had the highest levels of alcohol misuse. This suggests a genetic link that makes them more susceptible to alcohol use disorder (AUD). 

Weird Facts About the Most Addictive Drugs

As these weird facts show, the human race has a long and complicated relationship with some of the most addictive drugs in the world. 

And whether it’s for pain relief or to feel a wave of pleasure, this relationship shows no signs of stopping, even in the face of horrific side effects. 

But, for those of you who’d prefer healthier forms of pleasure, check out these ways to get high without drugs!

Weirdomatic is the place where all weird things come to life through the amazing world of photographs – a corner of our wild imagination or the whimsical face of the reality?