Tag: Most abused drug

Globally, more than 35 million people struggle with substance abuse or addiction, highlighting a widespread and complex public health issue. While the perception of what is the most abused drug in the world might focus on illicit substances, legal drugs like alcohol and tobacco actually impact a much larger population.

Globally, an estimated 296 million people used drugs in 2021, and 39.5 million suffered from drug use disorders [1.2.6, 1.8.1]. When considering both legal and illegal substances, **what is the most heavily abused drug?** The answer is unequivocally **alcohol**, followed by tobacco and cannabis [1.2.4, 1.2.5].

In 2022, the number of people who use drugs rose to 292 million, a 20 percent increase over the previous decade [1.3.5]. This statistic raises a critical question: which is the most heavily abused drug on a global scale?