Does Alcohol Addiction Have a Worse Impact Than Heroin Addiction?

If you ask most people whether alcohol or heroin is more dangerous, they will answer heroin. The substance carries a hefty reputation for addictiveness and risk of lethal overdose. However, did you know that alcohol may be more addictive than heroin?

Of course, this does not necessarily mean that alcohol addition has a worse impact than heroin addiction. There are a number of factors to consider, including how the substance is used, its prevalence, its effect on the body, and more.

In this article, we will look at what the research says about the impact of alcohol addiction and heroin addiction. The aim is to shed light on the dangers of both and not to minimize either.

The Impact of Alcohol and Heroin Addiction on the Person

Let’s start with the direct impact alcohol and heroin addiction have. The individual addicted to the substance is usually the one most harmed by it, physically and mentally.

Alcohol Addiction

Addiction to alcohol can take longer to wreak havoc on the person than certain other substances. It is easier to hide its effects and although it takes a heavy toll, the process might be gradual.

That being said, after an extended period of time, alcohol’s impact on the person is disastrous, affecting their physical and mental health, as well as their social and work lives.

Physical Health Consequences:

• Liver Damage: Chronic alcohol consumption is a leading cause of liver diseases, including fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. These conditions can lead to liver failure, which is often fatal if untreated.
• Cardiovascular Issues: Long-term alcohol use increases the risk of high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and stroke. Alcohol’s impact on the heart and circulatory system can be severe, contributing to long-term morbidity.
• Neurological Damage: Alcohol can cause both acute and chronic neurological damage. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a form of dementia, is associated with severe alcohol misuse due to thiamine deficiency. Chronic alcohol use also impairs cognitive functions, leading to memory loss and difficulties with coordination and balance.
• Weakened Immune System: Prolonged alcohol use weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and slower to recover from illness.

Mental Health Consequences:

• Depression and Anxiety: Alcohol is both a depressant and an anxiety inducer. Many individuals who struggle with alcohol addiction also suffer from co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, which can be exacerbated by alcohol use.
• Cognitive Impairment: Long-term alcohol use can lead to significant cognitive decline, affecting memory, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities. This cognitive impairment can persist even after cessation of alcohol use.
• Behavioral Changes: Alcohol addiction often leads to personality changes, including increased aggression, impulsivity, and risk-taking behaviors. These changes can strain relationships and lead to social isolation.

Social and Interpersonal Impact:

• Relationship Strain: Alcohol addiction can devastate personal relationships. The addict’s behavior can become unpredictable, leading to conflicts with family, friends, and colleagues. Trust issues often arise, and in severe cases, relationships may break down entirely.
• Workplace Consequences: People addicted to alcohol frequently perform poorly at their jobs and show increased absenteeism. This can lead to demotions or job loss. Financial instability is a common
  consequence, considering the person already spends much of their money maintaining their addictive behaviors.
• Legal Issues: Driving under the influence, domestic violence, and public intoxication, can lead to major legal problems. These issues further complicate the individual’s life, adding stress and financial burdens.

As you can see, alcohol addiction is no laughing matter. It destroys lives every single day. Without treatment, it can be fatal.

Heroin Addiction

In light of the above, it may be hard to imagine that anything has a more damaging impact on a person. However, heroin addiction wreaks havoc at a much quicker rate. It is all too easy to overdose on the substance, leading to high mortality rates.

As with alcohol addiction, heroin addiction impacts the person’s physical and mental health, as well as their social and work lives.

hysical Health Consequences:

• Organ Damage: Heroin use can cause severe damage to multiple organs. Users often experience collapsed veins, liver and kidney disease, and respiratory issues due to the toxic substances used to cut the drug. Chronic use can lead to life-threatening conditions, including overdose.
• Infections: Heroin use, particularly when injected, is associated with a high risk of infections such as HIV, hepatitis C, and bacterial infections like endocarditis. Sharing needles and unsanitary conditions contribute significantly to these risks.
• Neurological Damage: Heroin has a major impact on the brain, often leading to long-term neurological impairments. Chronic use alters the brain’s structure and function, resulting in cognitive deficits, including memory loss and impaired decision-making.
• Physical Dependence and Withdrawal: Heroin causes severe physical dependence. Withdrawal symptoms, including intense cravings, nausea, vomiting, and muscle pain, can be debilitating and are a significant barrier to quitting.

Mental Health Consequences:

• Psychological Dependence: People addicted to heroin show a powerful psychological dependence, making it difficult for them to function without the drug. This dependency can lead to a cycle of use and relapse, trapping individuals in addiction.
• Depression and Anxiety: Severe depression and anxiety are often both a cause and effect of heroin use. The psychological toll of addiction can be overwhelming, contributing to feelings of hopelessness and despair.
• Risk of Overdose: Because heroin is so potent, overdose is a constant risk. The fear of overdose, coupled with the reality of losing friends to the drug, only increases the person’s anxiety.

Social and Interpersonal Impact:

• Isolation and Marginalization: Many heroin addicts face social isolation and marginalization. They withdraw from family and friends, while society stigmatizes their illness, leading to further alienation.
• Criminal Behavior: To support their addiction, heroin users may steal or start dealing drugs. The person may end up in jail, which has a devastating impact on their sense of belonging in society and ability to get work even after they are released.
• Homelessness: The combination of addiction, legal issues, and financial instability often leads to homelessness. Without stable housing, it is even more difficult to overcome addiction and access treatment.

Heroin and alcohol addiction can both lead to catastrophic consequences for the individual. Heroin does so more quickly, and the risks of its addiction leading to a worst case scenario are significantly higher.

However, the legalities and societal view of the respective substances make the matter more complex.

The Impact on Society of Alcohol and Heroin Addiction

Alcohol addiction does not have as rapid an impact on the person as heroin does. But it does affect more people. This is largely due to its legality and accessibility, as well as the fact that drinking is socially accepted.

Alcohol in Society

People have been drinking alcohol in social and even religious scenarios for thousands of years. It is seen in many societies as perfectly normal to drink and get drunk on a regular basis. You can buy alcohol at most stores once you reach the legal age, and it is available on tap at bars and restaurants.

Almost 29 million Americans suffer from alcohol use disorders. This statistic is shocking, but considering how addictive and easily accessible alcohol is, it’s easy to understand.

But why is alcohol so accepted while other substances are not? In the past, attempts to ban alcohol have failed. This has a lot to do with how alcohol works and how it is viewed.

Addiction to alcohol can take a while to do a lot of damage. As such, people don’t tend to associate the damage with the alcohol, but rather with the addiction. Since it seems like many people use alcohol without getting addicted, they blame the person, without realizing that who becomes addicted is often a matter of circumstances and/or genetics.

Furthermore, alcohol is not used solely for getting drunk. There are many alcoholic drinks that people enjoy with a meal or in social situations. This is different from most other substances, which are used solely for their effect.

Because of the widespread use of alcohol and the massive number of people addicted to it, it has a significant impact on society. Families are torn apart and people are killed by drunk drivers. Billions of dollars are spent on treatment and many addicts face financial ruin.

Heroin has a very different place in society.

Heroin in Society

Heroin is treated with extreme caution by most people. It is not something that people try out of casual experimentation. It is heavily regulated and difficult to access. Furthermore, people associate heroin addiction with the drug’s effect. Addiction is seen as the predictable consequence of using the substance, in comparison to the way alcohol is considered by most to be safe.

That said, while the legal consequences and societal stigma associated with heroin ensures fewer people use the substance, they also may worsen how the substance impacts those who do become addicted.

Since heroin is not regulated, it is often impossible for users to know how pure the substance is. This uncertainty may lead to fatal overdose. People who are addicted to heroin are also less likely to seek help, considering their fear of the consequences they may face.

Conclusion

Both heroin and alcohol addiction destroy lives. They are each incredibly addictive and harmful to the body and mind. They lead to havoc in the personal and professional lives of individuals.

Heroin addiction has a far quicker impact on the person and often causes fatal overdoses. Alcohol addiction, on the other hand, has a more gradual effect. However, since alcohol is accepted legally and socially, alcohol addiction is a widespread problem, with almost 29 million addicts in the US alone.

If you or a loved one are suffering with alcohol or heroin addiction, seek help today. Call Seasons in Malibu for highly effective treatment in a luxury setting.

Sources

1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Alcohol’s Effects on the Body. Accessed 20 August 2024.
2. NIDA: Heroin DrugFacts. Accessed 20 August 2024.
3. WHO: Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health 2018. Accessed 20 August 2024.
4. CDC: Alcohol and Public Health. Accessed 20 August 2024.
5. The Lancet: The Global Burden of Disease Attributable to Alcohol and Drug Use in 195 Countries and Territories, 1990–2016: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. Accessed 20 August 2024.