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India, a country with one of the world’s largest youth populations, is facing a growing crisis of drug misuse and addiction. Despite strict laws like the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the availability and abuse of both legal and illegal substances continue to rise. From small towns to major cities, drugs—ranging from prescription painkillers to illicit narcotics—are destroying lives, families and communities.
According to the latest reports (2025), nearly 3 crore Indians are addicted to various substances, with most users starting before the age of 20. Easy access to pharmaceuticals, social acceptance of certain substances and rising stress levels have all contributed to this growing problem.
In this 2025 edition, we’ll explore the 10 most commonly misused and dangerous drugs in India, their effects, why people misuse them and how society can respond.
Understanding and Addressing the Dangers of Drug Abuse
These ten medicines, from nicotine to opioids, pose serious health pitfalls and contribute to a wider public health issue. Understanding the troubles and feting dependence are pivotal first ways. For those floundering, seeking help, like the support offered by the Massachusetts Center for Addiction, is essential for recovery and structure for safer communities. Flash back, help is available and recovery is possible.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Drugs In India
Cocaine
Cocaine is a strong goad. It impacts your central nervous system. Cocaine is popularly used for recreational purposes, has ecstatic goods, and increases energy and alertness. Dragged use and overdose can lead to serious health issues similar to cardiovascular problems, anxiety, paranoia and dependence .
Cocaine’s rapid onset and short duration of action contribute to its potential for abuse. Rehabilitation programs targeted at cocaine de-addiction first advise behavioural counselling, to address the psychological aspects of dependency. This follows medication and withdrawal management.
Heroin
Heroin is an illicit opioid made from morphine. Typically injected or snorted, this dangerous drug is available as either a white or brown powder or as a black and sticky substance known as black tar heroin. Serious health complications in users include collapsed veins, damaged tissue, infected heart lining and more. According to the CDC, the number of heroin users has more than doubled; approximately 80% of new users are coming to heroin after having abused prescription Opioids. Due to heroin’s high potency and high risk of addiction, recreational use of the substance can quickly turn into dependency, with heroin withdrawal beginning after roughly 6 to 12 hours. Other significant dangers of heroin use include overdose, increased risk of contracting infectious diseases and permanent damage to the lungs, liver, kidneys and brain. With the rising number of opioid overdose deaths, there is no amount of heroin that is without risk; find heroin treatment options today.
Ketamine
Ketamine is a dissociative medicine used as an anesthetic in mortal and veterinary practice. Ketamine use can induce a feeling of nearly complete detachment that’s likened to a near- death experience, called a k- hole. In high boluses, Ketamine can beget serious health goods like distraction, bloodied memory, bloodied motor function, bladder issues, high blood pressure and potentially fatal breathing problems. Using Ketamine recreationally is dangerous and the threat of overdose significantly increases when Ketamine is used with other medicines like anodynes or Amphetamines. Seeking professional help for ketamine dependence is crucial to recovery.
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine, also known as coil, glass, meth, ice, and crystal clear meth, is a potent and dangerous medicine that has good effects on the central nervous system. It’s further affordable than cocaine and can produce an analogous high when smoked. Dragged use of methamphetamine can lead to changes in the brain, causing dependence .
According to the National Institute on Medicine Abuse (NIDA), overdose deaths involving methamphetamine in the United States saw a significant increase of 180 from 2015 to 2019. This intimidating trend highlights the inflexibility of the problem with this dangerous medicine.
The maturity of demitasse methamphetamine is manufactured in manual labs, contributing to the wide issue. Likewise, it’s worth noting that methamphetamine is popular among the gay party scene in the UK due to its perceived improvement of sexual gasses .
Dextromethorphan (DXM)
Dextromethorphan, frequently shortened as DXM, is a common component set up in multitudinous untoward cough drugs. It’s important to note that while salutary in treating coughs, DXM can have psychoactive goods if consumed in large amounts.
Abuse of DXM can lead to severe consequences, including visions, loss of motor control, and in extreme cases, it can indeed beget brain damage. Thus, responsible use is explosively advised.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl (labeled as a Schedule II substance) is a synthetic opioid that’s 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. originally developed for pain operation in cancer cases, its lawless use has soared. Indeed the fewest overdose can be fatal, making it one of the most dangerous medicines presently available. Fentanyl has been a significant contributor to the opioid extremity, causing knockouts of thousands of deaths annually.
“Analogous to other opioid anesthetics, fentanyl produces goods similar to relaxation, swoon, pain relief, sedation, confusion, doziness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, pupillary condensation and respiratory depression”.
Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is a prescribed opioid medicine for chronic pain, yet can be one of the most dangerous meds when misused. Because people suffering from chronic pain need to take this medication regularly, they can easily develop tolerance to this drug, necessitating more and more for it to effectively remove the pain. This becomes an addiction, which can quickly lead to an overdose. Some of the negative side effects from increased dosages include slowed heart rate, increased risk of liver and kidney disease, impaired motor function and more. After just a few minutes of overdosing on Hydrocodone, breathing can stop completely.
Marijuana
Although not one of the most dangerous drugs, the sedative properties of the drug impair users which can lead to reckless behavior. Recently, there has been a growing concern among the medical community regarding the increasing potency of marijuana. In a study conducted by the University of Mississippi and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, The percentage of THC in marijuana has been steadily increasing within the last few decades, resulting in a greater risk for developing an addiction.
Alcohol
Alcohol is responsible for more than 140,000 deaths a year and is by far the most widely used drug on this list. Favored for its mildly intoxicating effects, alcohol can be deadly following acute consumption or as a result of chronic use. Most people can enjoy alcohol moderately, but others will develop a dependence, which, given the widespread use of alcohol, can be difficult to detect.
Digoxin
Most commonly known as Lanoxin, this medication helps with congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation. However, research shows that people taking this drug for those conditions have a 20% higher risk of dying. Other side effects include perianal infections, vomiting and nausea. Digoxin can also result in a fatal overdose when misused.
Final Thought
Medicine abuse in India takes numerous forms — from socially accepted substances like alcohol and tobacco, to lawless medicines like heroin and cannabis, to misused tradition and OTC specifics, to inhalants among children. Each carries its own pitfalls and patterns. Understanding the geography in 2025 is critical for families, communities, healthcare professionals and policymakers.
Still, flash back help is available, If you or someone you know is floundering with any form of substance abuse. Beforehand intervention, support and treatment make a difference.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Which drug is the most commonly misused in India?
According to recent data, alcohol remains the most widely used substance, followed by tobacco and cannabis.
Are prescription drugs a problem for misuse in India?
Yes. Prescription medications such as opioids (codeine, tramadol), benzodiazepines (diazepam, alprazolam) and other sedatives/hypnotics are increasingly misused.
How can someone help a family member who is misusing drugs?
Start with open, non-judge mental conversation; seek professional help (de-addiction centre, psychiatrist); avoid blame; support healthy alternatives; and ensure a safe home environment (limit access to substances).
What are the most common types of drugs abused in India?
Opioids like heroin, cannabis, alcohol and prescription drugs are among the most commonly abused substances in India.