The Hardest Addictions To Quit: What Substances Are the Most Difficult To Kick and Why It’s So Challenging

Shakiness, nausea, anxiety, insomnia — you’re trying your hardest to stop using drugs, but the withdrawal symptoms can make it so hard to quit.

When your life is controlled by one or more substances, dealing with the physical and emotional symptoms that occur when you try to stop using them can make returning to a normal life seem nearly impossible.

You may be wondering — what is the hardest addiction to quit?

We’ll discuss which substances are the most challenging to remove from your life and why, and then we’ll let you know how you can find the help you need to overcome your addiction.

Table of Contents

• What Are the Hardest Addictions To Get Rid Of?
• The 7 Hardest Addictions To Quit
• Why Are These Types of Addictions So Tough To Quit?
• Dove Recovery Can Guide You Through the Hardest Parts of Addiction Treatment

According to recent National Surveys on Drug Use and Health from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as well as a collection of other sources, the hardest addictions to quit for most people are:

• Heroin
• Opiates/opioids
• Crack cocaine
• Nicotine
• Methamphetamine
• Alcohol
• Prescription drugs

#1: Heroin

Heroin is perhaps the hardest addiction to quit because, along with pain relief, it creates feelings of intense euphoria. Heroin is an opiate made from morphine and its use has steadily risen in the United States in the last 15-20 years.

When heroin is used, the effects hit the brain quickly, so cravings to use again can be more powerful once the high subsides. Most people who experience this start chasing that euphoric feeling from the very first high.

Since heroin is an illegal drug, users don’t always know what they’re getting — dealers are known to cut the substance with toxic additives to increase profits, which can lead to even more negative side effects and deaths by overdose. 

#2: Other Opiates/Opioids

Both prescription painkillers and illegal drugs fall into this category. They include:

• Codeine
• Oxycodone
• Hydrocodone
• Fentanyl

These drugs are among the hardest addictions to quit because they have powerful effects on the brain’s pain and pleasure centers. The amount of dopamine released greatly increases, giving people who use them a feeling they want to experience again and again.

This type of substance use disorder often begins when people are legally prescribed medications after surgeries or accidents, but use turns to misuse and may lead to the need for illicit drugs when prescriptions are no longer an option.

Opiates and opioids have some of the worst withdrawal symptoms, so they are notoriously difficult to quit. The majority of overdose deaths in recent years have been caused by fentanyl and other potent opioids that may have been added to other drugs without a buyer knowing.

#3: Crack Cocaine

Crack is a powerful stimulant that can easily be made from cocaine. It is much less expensive than its powdered counterpart and causes addiction more quickly. It is known to produce an immediate, intensely euphoric high when smoked. 

One of the reasons crack cocaine is such a hard addiction to quit is that it creates powerful psychological dependency, and withdrawal symptoms like intense cravings, anxiety, and depression can last for months or even years. The combination of intensely negative feelings when trying to stop using and highly positive (if temporary) feelings when using are something the team at Dove Recovery understands and can help you with.

#4: Nicotine

It is estimated that 23.6 million Americans currently experience nicotine dependence. While in the past the majority of these people smoked cigarettes or used other tobacco products, these days even more people are vaping to get their nicotine fix.

Nicotine is highly addictive because it creates both physical and psychological dependencies. People who try to quit usually experience intense cravings, and the habitual or social nature of smoking also makes it one of the hardest addictions to quit.

#5: Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine — also known as crystal meth — is an illegal synthetic stimulant made with pseudoephedrine, which can be found in many cold medications. This substance stimulates the brain and central nervous system and is intensely addictive because it creates a heightened but short-lived rush, which can lead to binges. 

Using methamphetamine comes with a rapid onset of addiction and extreme physiological dependence, so it’s a very hard addiction to quit. Long-term users develop a tolerance to the drug that leads to the danger of taking it in higher and higher doses.

The use of methamphetamine comes with a long list of negative health effects, including paranoia, anxiety, stroke, and even death. Research from the CDC shows that it is one of the drugs most commonly found in people who overdose, second only to synthetic opioids.

#6: Alcohol

Alcohol use can be one of the hardest addictions to quit due to its legal status and community acceptance. The highly social aspect of alcohol use can create difficult situations for those with substance abuse disorder when faced with holiday parties, after-work drinks, and more.

Alcohol dependence is the most common substance use disorder in the United States. It is addictive for many people because it creates both physical and emotional cravings. Chronic overuse of alcohol can lead to personal strife and severe health issues, but it can be hard to leave this substance behind when you’re faced with it at nearly every turn.

#7: Prescription Drugs

Prescription drug addiction usually includes categories like opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants. This cycle often starts when people are prescribed medications for legitimate issues, but then start taking them at higher doses or more frequently than recommended. This can include the use of prescriptions like painkillers, sleeping pills, or stimulants such as ADHD medications.

Prescription drug misuse can become compulsive because the pleasurable effects these substances cause can create psychological or physical dependencies. The high availability of prescription drugs is one reason they’re such a hard addiction to quit.

These substances collectively cause some of the hardest addictions to quit because of:

• Social and environmental factors – These may include peer pressure, easy access, daily rituals, and the lack of a strong support system. Creating a supportive environment while addressing these external factors is essential for long-term success when treating substance use disorder.
• Underlying mental health issues – Many people who struggle with substance use disorder also have mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or trauma-related conditions. These can further complicate the recovery process, so it’s important to treat both addiction and mental health concerns simultaneously.
• Psychological dependence – This can manifest as compulsive thoughts about using, intense cravings, and an extreme sense of loss or discomfort when the addictive substance is not being used. Psychological factors can be some of the biggest things that make it difficult to break free from substance use disorder.
• Physical dependence – Many addictive substances can cause withdrawal when the user tries to quit. The symptoms may include discomfort, anxiety, paranoia, insomnia, and more. The fear of facing these physical dependencies often causes people to keep using.
• ‍Chemical changes in the brain – Prolonged substance abuse or repetitive engagement in addictive behaviors can lead to mind-altering changes in the body's chemistry and reward system. These can lead to compulsive drug-seeking behavior and an inability to experience pleasure from other activities. Overcoming such ingrained neurological patterns requires time, effort, and professional support.

Dove Recovery provides addiction treatment in Columbus, Ohio for those struggling with substance use disorder. We know that addiction is hard to quit for many reasons, and we’ve developed proven programs and methods to help you reclaim your life.

We offer a comprehensive range of services designed to help you at every step of your recovery, with customizable options to fit your individual needs. Here are some of the programs you may choose to help treat your substance use disorder.

Treatment Programs

Dove Recovery in Ohio tailors our addiction treatments to cover a spectrum of co-occurring and substance abuse disorders. Our therapy programs include:

• Outpatient programs
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
• Ambulatory detox/withdrawal management
• Counseling and therapy

Are you or a loved one looking to heal from an addiction? You may be wondering what type of treatment program is right for you. Contact Dove Recovery today so we can help you achieve the life you deserve.