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Is Alcohol Worse Than Heroin?

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Alcohol kills an estimated 88,000 people a year, while just over 15,000 people died after overdosing on heron in 2017. Heroin can kill you in an instant, while alcohol often takes decades to do the job. The economic burden of heroin is estimated at about $50 billion in the United States, while its nearly $250 billion for alcohol.

People are always trying to figure out what’s worse—heroin or alcohol.

Is heroin worse because it kills so quickly? Or is alcohol worse because it kills so many? That’s something that could be endlessly debated.

But the truth is, there’s really only one question you should be asking yourself: Would your life be better without alcohol or heroin in it?

Alcohol vs. Heroin

Is your life worse because of alcohol or heroin?

When it comes to heroin, the answer is always yes. That’s because, as an illicit drug, you truly never know exactly what you’re getting. It could be that, on the 101st time you use heroin, it’s laced with a lethal dose of fentanyl.

The answer has a lot more gray area where alcohol is concerned. Millions of people drink socially and safely, without any trouble. But millions of people also struggle with the body-and-soul-destroying effects of alcohol addiction.

So how can you know if it’s causing you a real problem?

It’s possible to not be physically dependent on alcohol, but still be a problem drinker. Here are a few signs:
• Drinking alone
• Feeling guilty after drinking
• An inability to stop drinking once you’ve started
• Preferring drinking friends over non-drinking friends
• Drinking to alleviate anxiety or stress
• Financial or employment difficulties because of alcohol
• Experiencing blackouts
• Taking risks with your life or the lives of others

You’ll know you’re really and truly dependent on alcohol when you can no longer control your drinking—and that’s when it’s time to ask for help.

Hope at The Raleigh House

The Raleigh House is a residential treatment center located near Denver that has the tools, staff and expertise needed to safely treat both alcohol and heroin addiction. Our master’s level trained therapists get to the root cause of addiction and help residents build a strategy for a successful future. Contact us today to learn more about the alcohol addiction treatment program or the heroin addiction treatment program at The Raleigh House.

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