When most people think of the world’s most commonly used drugs, opioids often come to mind due to their devastating toll in overdose deaths and media coverage. But the reality is more nuanced. While opioids are deadly, they’re not the most widely used substances. In fact, they rank far below many others.
The 2019 Global Drugs Survey revealed surprising facts about drug usage worldwide. Despite lower usage numbers, opioids are significantly more deadly. However, legal substances like alcohol and tobacco remain top killers. What other drugs are used in a widespread capacity, and just how deadly are these statistics? 247 Tempo has the answers now.
1. Global Drug Use: A Surprising Reality
Despite public focus on opioids, these drugs rank only eighth among the most commonly used drugs worldwide. A global survey of nearly 124,000 people from over 30 countries found marijuana, MDMA, cocaine, and amphetamines to be far more prevalent.
2. The Scope of Opioid Use Worldwide
According to the World Health Organization, around 53 million people use opioids globally. Nearly half of these individuals develop a substance-abuse disorder, leading to an estimated 118,000 overdose deaths per year. The numbers are severe but still fall below the usage rates of several other drug categories.
3. The U.S. Opioid Epidemic
In the United States, about 2.1 million people suffer from opioid-use disorder, with nearly 48,000 dying annually due to overdose. Accidental drug poisoning has become the leading cause of death for young Americans, outpacing vehicle accidents and violence. These statistics reflect a national health crisis.
4. The Top Used Drugs Excluding Alcohol and Tobacco
Excluding legal substances like alcohol and tobacco, the most-used drugs globally are marijuana, MDMA, cocaine, amphetamines, LSD, psychedelic mushrooms, and benzodiazepines. Opioids fall behind all these substances in terms of reported recreational use.
5. Alcohol: The Most Used and Deadly Drug
Alcohol is consumed by 61% of the U.S. population and causes more than 3 million deaths globally each year. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 88,000 people die annually from alcohol-related causes, making it one of the most lethal yet socially accepted substances.
6. Tobacco: The Silent Killer
Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, killing approximately 480,000 Americans each year. Globally, around 7 million people die annually due to smoking-related illnesses. Despite its legality, tobacco’s toll on public health is staggering.
7. Marijuana’s Global Popularity
Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the world. Nearly 18% of Americans report using it recreationally. Despite being illegal in many places, decriminalization trends have contributed to its rising popularity and normalization.
8. Benzodiazepines and Anti-Anxiety Drug Use
Benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium rank high on the list of widely used drugs. These medications are often prescribed for anxiety and insomnia but have a high potential for misuse and dependency, especially when combined with alcohol or opioids.
9. The Popularity of MDMA and Ecstasy
MDMA, often referred to as ecstasy, is popular for its euphoric and empathic effects. It ranks among the top-used drugs in many countries, especially among young adults and club-goers, though it carries risks of dehydration and long-term neurological effects.
10. Cocaine and Its Prevalence
Cocaine remains a staple among stimulant drugs with significant global usage. Its highly addictive properties and short-lived high make it a major contributor to drug dependency and related health issues. Cocaine overdoses have been on the rise, often linked to fentanyl contamination.
11. The Dangers of Prescription Opioids
Prescription opioids such as hydrocodone (Vicodin) and oxycodone (OxyContin) are the most commonly abused in the U.S. Hydrocodone has a 3% recreational use rate, followed by oxycodone at 2%. While less common than marijuana or alcohol, their lethality is much higher.
12. The Sackler Family and Purdue Pharma
Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, makers of OxyContin, face widespread legal action for allegedly misleading the public about opioid risks. Their aggressive marketing tactics are seen as key contributors to the American opioid crisis.
13. Poverty and the Opioid Crisis
Counties hardest hit by the opioid epidemic are often among the poorest in the U.S. Limited access to healthcare, job loss, and a lack of addiction treatment services contribute to the devastating impact in these areas, exacerbating an already dire public health issue.
14. Overdose Deaths Surpass Gun Deaths
In the U.S., opioid overdoses now claim more lives annually than firearms. This shocking comparison illustrates the immense scale of the crisis and the urgent need for expanded treatment and prevention strategies.
15. Rethinking Drug Policies and Priorities
With drugs like alcohol and tobacco causing more deaths than opioids, policymakers are challenged to rethink priorities. Addressing addiction across all substances requires a balanced, health-first approach to reduce harm and save lives.
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