The dangers of substance use disorder (SUD) can look different from person to person. For some families, it may mean their loved one’s health or relationships deteriorate. For other people, SUD may mean that holding down a job and or enjoying any kind of stability is impossible.
The point is that substance use affects different parts of life for different folks. And while there’s no single world’s deadliest addiction yet, some substances show up in overdose data over and over again here in the U.S.
Let’s break down what makes certain substances so risky, and how Waypoint Recovery Center in North Charleston and Cameron, SC can help with a team ready to help you start feeling like yourself again.
The Nation’s Top Deadliest Substances
It’s not super cut and dry when it comes to ranking certain substances as the ‘worst’, but national research does tell us which ones are most often involved in fatal overdoses.
These substances are especially dangerous because of how fast they act and how often they’re mixed with other substances:
- Fentanyl. You can learn more about where fentanyl comes from and how it ends up in so many communities, but the critical thing to understand is that it’s become one of the leading causes of overdose deaths. It’s incredibly potent, and tiny doses can be lethal, especially when it’s mixed into other substances without you realizing.
- Heroin. Heroin-related deaths have risen sharply in recent years. It acts fast and strongly on the brain’s reward system, which makes it highly addictive and dangerous. When combined with fentanyl or other depressants, heroin has a much higher risk of stopping you from breathing.
- Cocaine. It’s helpful to understand the long-term effects of crack cocaine, but the most immediate aspect to know is that it’s a top-ranking substance for overdose deaths. It’s super unpredictable too, especially when mixed with fentanyl.
- Methamphetamine. Meth use has surged in the U.S. recently, along with meth-related overdoses. The issue with meth is that it can create a crazy rush of energy that might lead to days without sleep, which majorly strains the body and mind.
- Prescription opioids. Medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone still play a big role in overdose deaths, especially when they’re taken in higher doses or mixed with other drugs. Even though some overdose numbers have gone down, they remain risky when you don’t take them exactly as prescribed.
Deadly Combinations
Mixing substances, known as polysubstance use, can be even more deadly than using one drug alone. At Waypoint, clients go through a thorough initial assessment that screens for multiple substances or co-occurring mental health issues. That way, your care plan actually matches what’s really happening in your body and mind.
Let’s look at common mixtures that can lead to complications and even death:
- Opioids and alcohol. This combo is especially risky because both slow your breathing and heart rate. Together, these two substances can make it harder for your body to get enough oxygen, which could lead to long-term brain or organ damage.
- Stimulants and depressants. Mixing uppers like cocaine or meth with downers like opioids or benzodiazepines doesn’t cancel them out. Instead, one can hide the effects of the other, making you think you’re fine when your body’s under serious strain.
- Alcohol and other drugs. Drinking while using other substances, even prescriptions, can cause major brain, liver, and heart stress. It might not seem dangerous in the moment, but it’s one of the leading causes of accidental overdoses. If you’re curious how your system might start to bounce back after cutting out alcohol, take a look at this post on how the body recovers after heavy alcohol use.
If you struggle with mixing substances, quitting can feel too hard to do alone. But this guide on why recovery can feel impossible might help you make sense of those feelings.
How Waypoint Recovery Center Can Help
Waypoint Recovery Center offers several treatment options that meet you where you are and help you rebuild your life step by step. Each program is designed to build resilience and self-understanding so you can create long-lasting change in your life.
- Residential treatment. In residential treatment, you live on-site in a structured, supportive environment with 24/7 care. The setup helps you focus on healing without outside distractions, while daily therapy sessions and activities help you find stability again.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Our IOP in North Charleston gives you a flexible schedule so you can keep up with work or family while still getting consistent, effective care. Group sessions focus on understanding your triggers, building coping skills, and learning from others in recovery.
- Individual therapy. Through individual therapy, you’ll have one-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist who helps you explore what’s underneath substance use. They’ll guide you through strategies like cognitive-behavioral therapy and creative or expressive approaches that help you find healthier ways to cope and connect.
Fight Overdose in Recovery
You’ve seen that there’s no single deadliest addiction. Some substances may take more lives, but overdose risk often comes down to combinations, unknown ingredients, or pure accidents. Recovery might seem out of reach sometimes, but it can start with one small step: Contact us today. Support is out there, and with time, you can move toward a healthier, steadier future.
