The United States is facing a growing crisis with the rise of dangerous drugs affecting individuals, families, and entire communities.
According to DrugAbuseStatistics, deaths from drug abuse in the US since 2000 nears one million, and over 96K people die from drug overdoses yearly.
Whether it’s illicit street substances or prescription medications, the risks associated with drug abuse continue to escalate.
In this post, let’s look at the ten most dangerous drugs that have devastating health effects and currently pose the greatest threat in the U.S.
10 Most Dangerous Drugs in the United States
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Fentanyl
Fentanyl is arguably the deadliest drug in the United States, responsible for over 70% of drug-related deaths.
The FDA-approved synthetic opioid drug is used as an analgesic/anesthetic for chronic pain relief in hospitals. Its effect on the body, like other opioid analgesics, includes pain relief, relaxation, euphoria, sedation, drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea.
Fentanyl is snorted, smoked, injected, taken orally by pill or tablet, or blotted on paper. It can be more lethal when taken in combination with heroin, meth, or cocaine.
As an analgesic, the drug is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin and morphine.
Nicknames
On the street, Fentanyl is commonly referred to as:
- China Girl
- China Town
- Friend
- Goodfellas
- Great Bear
- King Ivory
- Murder 8
- Poison
Dangerous Effects
Prolonged use of the opioid makes the brain adapt to the drug and typically leads to a Fentanyl overdose.
Some of the dangerous effects include:
- Stupor
- Clammy skin
- Cyanosis
- Coma
- Respiratory failure
- Possible death
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Heroin
Heroin is an illegal, synthetic opioid obtained from Morphine.
It is a naturally occurring substance found in the seed pod of various opium poppy plants predominantly grown in South America, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Southwest Asia.
Heroin is highly addictive and can be snorted, smoked, or injected. It mostly appears as a white powder in its purest form but can also be a brown powder or a black tar-like substance.
When Heroin is used, it fuels an initial surge of euphoria or “rush” followed by a state of insomnia.
Nicknames:
- Dope
- Big H
- Horse
- Smack
- Hell Dust
- Thunder
- H
- Brown
Dangerous Effects
Due to its intense euphoric sensations, Heroin can easily cause severe addiction.
Effects of an overdose include:
- Shallow breathing
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Blue lips and fingernails
- Respiratory depression
- Convulsions
- Coma
- Death
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Cocaine
Cocaine is a white crystalline powder obtained from coca leaves and comes in the form of small, irregularly shaped white rocks.
As a euphoria-producing stimulant drug in the US, Cocaine has a strong addictive potential and affects the body in many ways.
It is typically abused by snorting or injecting after dissolving in water. Most users usually snort cocaine until they are exhausted or run out.
Nicknames
Some of its street names include:
- Coca
- Coke
- Crack
- Rock
- Snow
Dangerous Effects
- Unique respiratory syndrome
- Erosion of the upper nasal cavity
- Mental/physical exhaustion
- Depression.
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Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that comes in the form of pills or powder and speeds up the body’s system. It’s usually prescribed in hospitals as Desoxyn to treat obesity and ADHD.
Crystal meth is an illegally altered version of Methamphetamine that is cooked in meth labs and takes the form of glass fragments. It is usually smoked, snorted, or sometimes injected to intensify the effects.
Nicknames
Its street names include:
- Batu
- Bikers Coffee
- Crank
- Crystal
- Glass
- Go-Fast
- Ice
- Meth
- Methlies Quick
- Tweak
- Ventana
Dangerous Effects
Taking high doses of addictive crystal meth can cause:
- Convulsions
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Death
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Morphine
Morphine is a non-synthetic narcotic derived from the Opium plant. It is used in hospitals for the treatment of pain and has a high risk of abuse.
The drug can be snorted, injected, or smoked and gives a euphoric effect on the mind and body.
Nicknames
Some of its street names include:
- Dreamer
- First Line
- God’s Drug
- MS
- Morph
- Mister Blue
- Morpho
Dangerous Effects
Regular use of morphine gives relief from physical pain and euphoria to the user.
Overuse, especially when combined with other substances, results in:
- Clammy skin
- Sleepiness
- Slowed breathing
- Slow pulse rate
- Coma
- Possible death
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Ketamine
Ketamine is a dangerous dissociative drug with hallucinogenic effects.
It distorts the perception of sight and sound, causing the user to feel disconnected from reality.
The drug is used in medical practice as a short-acting anesthetic. It works by inducing a state of sedation in humans and animals, making them feel detached from pain.
Ketamine is typically injected, mixed with liquids, smoked, or snorted while in powder form.
Nicknames
Ketamine has various street names which include:
- Cat Tranquilizer
- Jet K
- Purple
- Special K
- Super Acid
- Super K
- Vitamin K.
Dangerous Effects
When Ketamine is abused, it causes unwanted side effects such as:
- Depression
- Cognitive difficulties
- Salivation
- Unconsciousness
- Stiffening of the muscles
- Possible nausea
- Amnesia.
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Oxycodone
Oxycodone is a dangerous semi-synthetic narcotic analgesic taken to induce relaxation and a euphoric effect on the brain.
The drug comes in tablet form and is abused mainly by oral means. The tablets are crushed before being sniffed or injected after dissolving in water.
Nicknames
On the streets, Oxycodone is commonly called:
- Hillbilly Heroin
- OC
- Ox
- Perc
- Oxy on the streets
Dangerous Effects
When misused, the drug inflicts physiological effects on the user, such as sedation, constipation, respiratory depression, and cough suppression.
Some of its overdose effects include:
- Extreme drowsiness
- Muscle weakness
- Severe liver damage
- Fainting
- Coma
- Possible death
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Methadone
Methadone is a synthetic narcotic first used during World War II in place of Morphine to treat pain.
The drug is available in tablet, oral solution, or injectable liquid form. It sedates the body and mind when swallowed or injected.
Nicknames
On the streets, Methadone is also known as:
- Amidone
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Fizzies with MDMA
- Wafer
Dangerous Effects
When Methadone is abused, the most common symptoms include sweating, itchiness, and drowsiness.
Excessive use can lead to:
- Constricted pupils
- Shallow breathing
- High blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness
- Weak pulse
- Coma
- Possible death
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Alprazolam (Xanax)
Also known as Xanax, Alprazolam is a highly potent Benzodiazepine that’s often prescribed to treat anxiety disorders and insomnia. When used continuously for long, it can be dangerous and highly addictive.
Xanax is particularly dangerous because of its increased risk of causing fatal respiratory depression, especially when combined with other drugs like Alcohol, Heroin, and Methadone.
Nicknames
There are various street names for Xanax including:
- Xannies (or Zannies)
- Bars
- Xanbars
- handlebars
- Benzos
- Totem poles
- Zanbars
- Z-bars
- Upjohn
Dangerous Effects
Common side effects from an Alprazolam overdose include:
- Confusion
- Cognitive impairment
- Dementia
- Psychosis
- Decreased heart rate
- Coma
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Nicotine
Nicotine is a dangerous drug found in tobacco products like cigarettes.
The substance is highly addictive and usually taken for its ability to relax the body and mind. Tobacco remains legal in the United States but has some serious regulations governing its sale and use.
Nicknames
Common slang names for Nicotine (Tobacco) include:
- Cigarettes
- Ciggies
- Cigs
- Darts
- Durries
- Smokes
- Fags
- Cancer sticks
- Cigars
- Cigarillos
- Shisha
- Snuff
Dangerous Effects
Some dangers with continuous use of Nicotine include:
- Stroke
- Destruction of the body’s vital organs (especially the lungs and throat)
- Premature death
Another danger of Tobacco is its secondhand effect. Individuals who do not smoke can be at risk of lung-related illness by living with a smoker.
FAQs about Dangerous Drugs in the US
What are the most heavily abused drugs?
Almost every type of drug can be abused. But the drugs typically misused are the ones that provide pain relief, relaxation, or a euphoric feeling to the user. Some of the most commonly abused dangerous drugs include Alcohol, Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana, Methamphetamine, and Opioids (Fentanyl, Codeine, Percocet, & OxyContin).
How does fentanyl affect the brain?
Fentanyl reduces pain in the body by working on opioid receptors found in the brain. The drug makes users feel dizzy, euphoric, tired, confused, sedated, and nauseous. When overdosed, Fentanyl decreases the rate of breathing and causes Hypoxia, a condition where there is less oxygen reaching the brain. This condition can further lead to severe brain damage, coma, and even death.
What is the most sold drug?
According to Statista, Keytruda is the top-ranked drug sold worldwide in 2024, with over $27 billion in sales projections.
What are blockbuster drugs?
A blockbuster drug is a popular drug that generates at least $1 billion in annual sales for the manufacturer. These drugs are typically used to treat common medical problems such as diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cancer. Common examples of blockbuster drugs include Lipitor, Vioxx, and Zoloft.