Addiction vs Enjoyment

As we navigate through this list, it’s important to remember that the cost of drug addiction is multifaceted. It’s not just about the money spent on acquiring the drugs; it’s also about the long-term financial drain due to health complications, loss of productivity, and the potential for legal consequences. The true cost of these drugs is more than just a number – it’s a reflection of the broader societal and economic implications of drug abuse. However, of course, for many, these drugs offer an escape from their problems or stresses. Whether that be a glass of wine on a Friday, a hard-earned joint, or even a sniff of cocaine – all of these substances have their appeals. But are these appeals worth the costs? The Executive Rehab Guide writes:

“Whether it is the rush of adrenaline that comes from using stimulants like cocaine or the sense of calm and relaxation that comes from using opioids like heroin, drugs have the power to make people feel good.”

It’s very easy to write about the dangers and horrors of addiction, but it’s also important to acknowledge the euphoria that recreational drugs can give people. Without this knowledge, it would be impossible to understand why anyone would ever spend so much money, each year, on these substances. But which substances are on the list?

Most Expensive Drugs

1 – Tobacco & Alcohol

Did you think we weren’t going to count alcohol and tobacco? Well, you thought wrong. Both these substances, despite being legal and accepted into society, most definitely count as recreational substances. However, we’ve put them together because these are all depressing facts that we probably know already. The financial cost of alcohol and tobacco are nothing short of unsettling, and yet many of us feel they still require an important place in our lives.

Tobacco

Tobacco, one of the most widely used addictive substances globally, carries a significant financial burden. Despite its legal status, the cost of tobacco use extends far beyond the price of cigarettes or other tobacco products. The long-term health consequences of tobacco use, such as lung cancer, heart disease, and chronic respiratory conditions, lead to substantial healthcare costs for both individuals and public health systems. In fact, in 2022 ASH released a study claiming that smoking costs the UK tax payer around 17 billion pounds per year. But beyond that, let’s think about it at a micro level. Based on an average 2021 UK price of £11.46 for a pack of 20. If an individual smokes 10 a day, they will be paying up to around £2000 a year. If we double that, for those smoking 20 a day, suddenly that cost goes up to around £4000 a year. That’s two very nice holidays for the price of 20 cigs a day. Is it worth it, who knows?

Alcohol

Alcohol, while socially accepted and widely consumed, presents a significant economic burden that is often underestimated. Around 2.3 billion people worldwide are current alcohol drinkers. But how much does this habit cost? Well, this depends on what kind of drinker you are. Delamere have worked out a 5-year cost for beer and wine, depending on what kind of relationship you have with the substance:

Casual Drinker

Wine: £10,842

Beer: £4,285

Binge Drinker 

Wine: £16,263

Beer: £10,712

Abuser

Wine: £75,894

Beer: £37,492

Again, these numbers look quite alarming. Although, perhaps seemingly cheaper than a smoking habit? But then alcohol leaves us with an intense hangover. 

2 – Heroin

Now we move on to the hard hitting substances. Heroin, derived from morphine, a natural substance taken from the seed pod of various opium poppy plants, stands as one of the most addictive and destructive drugs in the world. Its reputation for high addiction potential is matched by the significant financial burden it places on its users. Again, the cost goes beyond the price of the drug itself. According to Drug Free:

“The average five-year cost for using heroin 10 times a day is $318,500.”

We’re using the dollars currency now but, regardless, this is a much larger number than alcohol and tobacco. The street price of heroin varies based on geographic location, purity, and availability. However, it consistently remains high due to its demand and the risks associated with its illegal trade. In the USA, you can expect to pay around 15-20 dollars for a 0.1 gram of the substance. This makes it one of the more expensive substances, when you consider the amount you receive for the money you give. However, there is no doubt that heroin gives one of the most euphoric highs – which is why it’s so addictive. 

3 – Cocaine

But what about cocaine? Well, this powerful stimulant derived from the coca plant has long been a drug associated with both luxury and high social cost. Its use spans various demographics and geographies, making it one of the most sought-after illicit substances in the world. However, the financial implications of cocaine use are as significant as its effects on the human body. Cocaine addiction carries with it a hefty price tag. The cost of maintaining a coke habit can be high, largely due to the drug’s high street value and the frequency of use required to sustain its effects. According to the previous data, the five-year cost for using 1 gram of cocaine once a day amounts to $112,840. This isn’t quite as expensive as a heroin addiction but it’s important to remember that cocaine addictions are more normalised than that of heroin. Priory Group writes:

“Taking cocaine often results in a brief but very intense high. You would normally start to feel the effects of cocaine after 5 to 30 minutes of snorting it, and these effects usually last between 20 and 30 minutes. Because the high is so intense…  this can make the person want to take more cocaine to experience the pleasurable effects again, as soon as possible.”

The street price of cocaine can vary widely based on factors such as purity, supply, and geographic location. Prices have been known to range from $25 to $200 per gram in the United States, with an average cost hovering around $112 per gram. When it comes to one-off purchases of recreational drugs, cocaine can be one of the most expensive. Certainly more than ketamine, MDMA, cannabis or ecstacy. 

4 – Oxycodone

This substance played a big part in the US opioid crisis. Oxycodone, a prescription opioid, is commonly used for pain management but has become notorious for its high potential for abuse and addiction. While it serves a legitimate medical purpose, the recreational use of oxycodone has led to significant financial, health, and social consequences. The mis-prescription of oxycodone over the last few decades has had a terrible effect on many users. The cost of this addiction can be substantial. For individuals who become addicted, the expense goes beyond the drug itself. Again, according to the previous research, the five-year cost for using oxycodone (80 milligrams once a day) is approximately $132,405. 

Obviously it’s important to take into account that the cost varies depending on whether it is obtained through a prescription or not. However, whilst prescription costs can be partially offset by insurance, those who become dependent may turn to the black market as their tolerance grows and prescriptions become harder to obtain. 

5 – Methamphetamine (Meth)

Finally we have methamphetamine, commonly known as meth. This is another highly addictive stimulant, which is why it’s included on the list. Usually the more addictive the substance, the higher the financial cost over time. Meth addiction can not only be detrimental to health but also to the financial well-being of users. The cost of purchasing meth can quickly accumulate. Whilst this substance can be significantly cheaper than cocaine – sometimes even 4 times cheaper – the high is reported to be much more intense. This means that those consuming it can get hooked quickly. The Addiction Center writes:

“Today, a single dose of Meth (sometimes called Crystal Meth, depending on its formation) costs about $5 and is almost 100% pure. Consequently, in much of rural America and the West, people are dying of Meth-related overdose at nearly twice the rates of Heroin-related overdose.”

Whilst meth might be the cheapest of these substances, when it comes to singular dosage, the addictive nature of it and its appeal in price means that maintaining an addiction can cost a lot. 

Analysis

There’s little point in comparing these 5 expensive recreational drugs. Because, in a way, it doesn’t matter. An addiction is an addiction, and when you find yourself within it, it can be hard to deter yourself based on a financial burden. In addition, whilst some of these drugs are cheaper than others (meth or a glass of wine) they might be more addictive or more socially accepted. Whichever substance you might find yourself in a ‘relationship’ with, it’s important to acknowledge the financial costs they can have over time. What might be a tenner at one point, can become literally thousands over the years.

Conclusion

The true cost of drug addiction is multifaceted. It includes the direct expenses of acquiring the drugs, but then also the cost of maintaining the addiction or habit. There are also important other factors – including health bills and the cost of lower productivity – but going into that would take vast analysis (mostly based on assumptions). Nonetheless, here are 5 of the most expensive recreational drugs. Which do you think is really the most financially burdening? 

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