Most Commonly Used Drugs

Overall Most Commonly Used Drugs

In 2022, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported that 70.3 million people aged 12 and older used illicit drugs in the past year. That’s accounts for 24.9% of people in that age group.

When most people think of commonly used drugs in America, many think of opioids or methamphetamines. Although these types of drugs certainly make it into the top 10 list, they don’t explain the whole picture of drug use.

Other substances like alcohol and nicotine actually outnumber the “hard drugs” people often think about. Some of these substances are legal and normalized in our culture.

However, legal or not, many pose risks to our health and safety through side effects and withdrawal.

1. Alcohol

According to SAMHSA’s 2022 NSDUH report, 221,306,000 (78.5%) people over the age of 12 reported using alcohol in their lifetime, and 176,975,000 (62.8%) people reported using alcohol in 2022.

Alcohol is by far the most widely used substance in the United States. SAMHSA also reports that 28.8 million adults aged 18 and older had an alcohol use disorder in 2021.

2. Nicotine

Nicotine comes in as the second most used drug in the US, with the NSDUH reporting that 171,265,000 (50.7%) people reported using nicotine in their lifetime and 78,261,000 (27.8%) in the past year.

Nicotine can be consumed in numerous ways, including smoking, vaping, and chewing. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that 23.6 million (8.5%) of Americans aged 12 and older had nicotine dependence in the past 30 days in 2020.

3. Marijuana

In 2022, the NSDUH revealed that 132,296,000 (46.9%) people have used marijuana in their lifetime and 61,901,000 (22%) in the past year.

Although marijuana is legal medically and/or recreationally in many states throughout the US, it remains an illicit substance on the federal level.

Marijuana has many legitimate medical applications, but its recreational use can lead to substance use issues with individuals who have certain genetic or health risk factors.

Several studies have indicated that about 1 in 10 adults who use marijuana may develop an addiction. The chances are 1 in 6 when using the substance before age 18.

4. Cocaine

According to the 2022 NSDUH, 42,231,000 (15%) people used cocaine in their lifetime and 5,274,000 (1.9%) in the past year of 2022. Cocaine is a stimulant drug that is typically snorted. However, there is also a water-insoluble form of cocaine called crack, which is usually smoked.

NSDUH also reports that 10,167,000 (3.6%) people smoked crack cocaine in their lifetime, and 918,000 (0.3%) used crack in the past year of 2022.

5. Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are a class of drugs that includes magic mushrooms, LSD, PCP, ecstasy, peyote, ayahuasca, and many others.

According to the NSDUH, 48,850,000 (17.3%) people aged 12 or older used hallucinogens in their lifetime, and 8,509,000 (3%) used them in the past year of 2022.

The NSDUH also reports the following usage for three types of hallucinogens:

• LSD: 31,074,000 (11%) people used LSD in their lifetime, and 2,322,000 (0.8%) used LSD in 2022.
• PCP: 6,394,000 (2.3%) people used PCP in their lifetime, and 204,000 (0.1%) used PCP in 2022.
• Ecstasy: 22,103,000 (7.8%) people used ecstasy in their lifetime, and 2,109,000 (0.7%) people used ecstasy in 2022.

It’s unclear if hallucinogens are addictive, and many are currently being studied for their medical uses for conditions like PTSD, alcohol use disorder, and anxiety. It’s widely believed that they may be addictive for certain individuals but are likely not habit-forming for most people.

That said, using hallucinogens does come with health risks, as well as the risk of contamination when buying from illegal sources.

6. Inhalants

The 2022 NSDUH report shows that 27,242,000 (9.7%) people used inhalants in their lifetime, and 2,254,000 (0.8%) used them in 2022. Inhalants refer to solvents, gases, aerosols, and nitrites that can be inhaled to get high.

Common inhalants include gasoline, whipped cream aerosols (typically called “whippets”), glues, paint thinners, and room odorizers. Although these substances are not thought to be addictive, their toxicity can make them dangerous.

7. Methamphetamine

According to SAMHSA’s NSDUH report, 16,588,000 (5.9%) people used methamphetamines in their lifetime, and 2,705,000 (0.8%) used them in the past year of 2022.

Methamphetamine, or meth, is an illegal stimulant drug that was once a popular prescription drug used to keep soldiers awake in WWII.

Methamphetamine is rarely ever used in a medical setting these days. Although there is one last methamphetamine prescription left, it’s seldom prescribed. Most meth currently on the drug market is illegal crystal meth produced in clandestine meth labs.

8. Heroin

Widely considered one of the most addictive drugs in the world, heroin is an illegal opioid drug with no current medical uses. The 2022 NSDUH indicates that 6,558,000 (2.3%) people used heroin in their lifetime, and 1,049,000 (0.4%) people have used it in the past year.

Heroin is made from morphine, comes in varying qualities of purity, and is typically injected. Heron-related deaths saw a spike in the past ten years due to contamination with fentanyl, an extremely potent opioid 50-100 times stronger than morphine.

9. Prescription Opioids

NSDUH’s 2022 report showed that 8,918,000 (3.2%) people illegally used prescription opioids in the past year. Prescription opioids include drugs like oxycodone (Percocet), morphine, fentanyl, and hydrocodone and are typically prescribed for short-term pain treatment.

Prescription opioids have medical uses and can be a huge relief to people experiencing extreme pain. However, these painkillers are often abused for their euphoric, pain-relieving effects. They also carry a high risk for addiction when misused.

Fentanyl, in particular, has become a significant problem in the US due to its extremely high potency and risk of opioid poisoning.

Many drug labs have started adding fentanyl to not only illicitly made opioids but other drugs as well. In many cases, the user is unaware they are taking fentanyl at all.

10. Benzodiazepines

According to the 2022 NSDUH, 3,681,000 (1.3%) people reported using illegal benzodiazepines in 2022. Benzodiazepines are used for the treatment of anxiety and include several drugs, such as Xanax®, Valium®, and Klonopin®.

Benzodiazepines can offer immense relief for individuals dealing with anxiety and panic disorders. However, they can be addictive and are dangerous when abused. In addition, obtaining them illegally also carries the risk of contamination with other drugs and fentanyl.

Illicit Drug Use

When it comes to illicit drug use, cocaine, hallucinogens, meth, and opioids are the most commonly abuse drugs. A majority of these illicit drugs are often produced in illegal labs with dubious materials, ingredients, and safety practices.

In short, most people don’t know exactly what they’re getting.

Cocaine

In regards to cocaine, the following statistics show the prevalence of cocaine use and addiction:

• According to Statista, drug poisoning deaths involving cocaine are on the sharp rise, with 15,883 deaths in 2019, 19,447 deaths in 2020, 24,486 deaths in 2021, and 27,569 deaths in 2022.
• The 2022 NSDUH report indicates that the most prevalent age group for cocaine use is ages 26 to 49, with 17,916,000 (17.5%) people in this age range reporting they used cocaine in their lifetime and 2,824,000 (2.8%) using the drug in 2022.
• NSDUH also indicates that men are using cocaine more than women. Data shows that 25,205,000 men over age 12 used cocaine in 2022, while 17,026,000 women over age 12 used cocaine in 2022.

Hallucinogens

Although hallucinogens are thought to be a lower risk for addiction, there are still risks when taking them.

• The 2022 NSDUH shows that LSD, psilocybin (magic mushrooms), and ecstasy account for the majority of hallucinogen use, with 31,074,000 people over age 12 using LSD in 2022, 31,825,000 people using psilocybin, and 22,103,000 people using ecstasy.
• NIDA reports that 8% of young adults aged 19–30 report having used hallucinogens like MDMA (ecstasy), mescaline, peyote, psilocybin, LSD, or PCP within the past year.
• A study from the University of Chicago found that hallucinogen use was more common with college students and predominantly white males from wealthier families.

Meth

Meth use has risen and fallen over the past few decades. The following statistics indicate how often it’s used and by whom.

• According to the CDC, there was a 170% increase in meth drug overdose deaths between 2015 and 2019.
• Most methamphetamines sold in the US today are manufactured in Mexico. This shift has caused an 80% decline in meth lab incidents and seizures.
• A study from the University of California revealed that the chances of committing a homicide were nearly nine times greater for meth users.

Opioids

Opioids, in this context, refer to illegally made opioids, not prescription opioids. With highly potent fentanyl being found in so many different drugs, the risk of opioid poisoning has exploded for individuals who are addicted to them.

• NIDA reports that opioid deaths have been steadily climbing since 2016. Since the pandemic, deaths have spiked with 68,630 deaths in 2020 and 81,806 deaths in 2022.
• The 2022 NSDUH report indicates that people ages 26 to 49 are most likely to use illegal opioids, with 26,624,000 people in this age group reported using illegal opioids in 2022 alone.
• According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 42% of pills tested for fentanyl contained at least 2mg of fentanyl, which is a potentially lethal dose.

Prescription Drug Use

Prescription opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants are among the most commonly abused prescription medications in the US. All three have the potential for addiction, although opioids are by far the most addictive.

Prescription opioids are essential in the treatment of moderate to severe pain and are safe to use when following your doctor’s instructions.

Benzodiazepines can provide relief for individuals with anxiety disorders and help with panic attacks. And stimulants are the first-line treatment for ADHD.

However, all three of these medications can be abused and may find their way into the illegal drug market. Addiction to prescription drugs may also lead people to try illegal drugs when their prescription runs out or is taken from them.

Prescription Opioids

These pain relievers are typically only meant for short-term use under the guidance of a physician. However, their pain-relieving and euphoric effects can lead to abuse for certain individuals with risk factors for drug addiction.

• Unlike illegal opioids, deaths related to prescription opioids have not skyrocketed in the same way. According to NIDA, deaths involving prescription opioids have staggered through the past few years, with 14,139 deaths in 2019, 16,706 deaths in 2021, and 14,716 deaths in 2022.
• According to the CDC, around 4% to 6% of people who misuse prescription opioids will transition to heroin use.
• The CDC also reports that prescription opioids are often obtained through a few methods: 27% from their own prescription, 26% from their friends or relatives for free, 23% bought from their friends or relatives,  and 15% bought from a drug dealer.

Prescription Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are sedatives that affect the central nervous system, causing feelings of relaxation and a euphoric sensation. While they are a lifesaver for people with anxiety, they can be addictive for some people.

• According to NIDA, 17.1% or about 5.2 million adults who used a benzo in the previous 12 months engaged in benzo abuse.
• NIDA reports that 80% of adults who abused benzos said they received them from a friend or family member.
• In regards to benzodiazepine-related deaths, NIDA reports there were 9.711 deaths in 2019, 12,499 deaths in 2021, and 10,964 deaths in 2022.

Prescription Stimulants

Prescription stimulants are a class of drugs used to treat ADHD. Common drugs include Adderall (amphetamine) and Ritalin (methylphenidate). Although prescription stimulants can be a huge help when treating ADHD, they do have the potential for misuse and abuse.

• According to the CDC, in 2020, 4.4% of high school seniors reported past-year nonmedical use of Adderall, which is up by .5% since 2019.
• The 2022 NSDUH reports that the most common age group to abuse prescription stimulants is young people aged 18 to 25, with 17,830,000 people using them in 2022.

Get Help for Any Type of Drug Use

Regardless of how legal or illegal a drug is, everyone deserves addiction treatment. If you or a loved one are dealing with drug or alcohol abuse, now is the time to seek help. Talk to your healthcare provider about your drug use and see what treatments they may recommend.

If you lack access to a doctor or aren’t sure where to start, try SAMHSA’s online treatment locator or call their helpline at 1-800-662-4357 to learn about treatment programs in your area.