[hedning]

I think the public at large thinks heroin is much more dangerous than it actually is. The rate of addiction is about 23%[1], compared to alcohols 15%. You don't get addicted just by shooting up one time. And opiates aren't actually that destructive on the body either, the lifestyle of a junkie is though.

[1]: Comparative Epidemiology of Dependence on Tobacco, Alcohol, Controlled Substances, and Inhalants: Basic Findings From the National Comorbidity Survey (http://www.umbrellasociety.ca/web/files/u1/Comp_epidemiology...)

[orbifold]

15% of people who drink alcohol become alcoholics? That seems steep...

[klibertp]

Not really, but it depends on your definition of alcoholism a lot. For example, if you treat every alcoholic as "alcoholic for life, with some of them sober" it makes sense.

[orbifold]

I took a look at the study and indeed they defined it as Alcohol dependent at one time in life.