Most Used Drugs In the World

Although the statistics may be a little fuddled because of the illegal nature of some of these drugs, like heroin or cocaine, they can be hard to track. Other, legal drugs like alcohol and tobacco can be more closely monitored. Some drugs are abused worldwide, while others are abused close to where they are grown or produced.

According to estimates from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 19 percent of the world’s population over the age of 15 uses tobacco on a daily basis. Tobacco and cigarette use is especially prevalent in Eastern Europe and Russia and is legal in almost every country. Tobacco is by far the most abused drug in the world.

Due to harsh anti-drug policies in Eastern Europe, people there don’t see drug rehab as an option, especially if they are using other drugs beyond just tobacco.

According to UNODC, alcohol is the most used drug in the world. They estimate that 42 percent of the world has used alcohol at some point in the last year. According to 2005 estimates, nearly five percent of people all over the world drink alcohol heavily every single week. Alcohol consumption is much higher in Europe — hundreds of times higher — than it is in the Middle East

At least in the United States, Alcoholics Anonymous and other drug rehab programs are available to help those who struggle with alcoholism.

The Middle East’s drug of choice is opium, which is the most popular drug that maintains both a legal and illegal status, depending on whether the dosage is regulated or not. The opioid problem currently facing many Western nations is that of prescription drug abuse.

Thankfully, drug rehab centers are available to help end the stigma behind drug abuse and keep people away from illegal drugs.

Taylor Larsen is a health writer. Information provided by Miramar Recovery Centers. Taylor writes for Fusion 360, an advertising agency in Utah. Find him on Google+.