Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by baudehlo 3993 days ago
I think the big thing with alcohol is it's a lot harder to become addicted to. I don't disagree that alcohol addiction is a problem (and a more damaging social problem in some aspects - a smoker father is probably far less of an issue than an alcoholic father). But I don't agree that going back to prohibition would benefit the situation.
1 comments

> I think the big thing with alcohol is it's a lot harder to become addicted to.

Supposedly a portion of a hangover is withdrawals (which is why the "hair of the hound that bit you" is effective). However the crux of your point remains true: alcohol withdrawals only last a morning (by my experience) where nicotine withdrawals last a few weeks to months (also personal experience).

The last time I drank was probably 5 days ago and I have no cravings. The last time I smoked was 8 months ago and I have cravings at least once every 2-3 days. Tobacco is much, much, worse.

For heavy regular drinkers, alcohol withdrawals last a lot longer, with some symptoms (such as sleep-cycle disturbance) lasting years: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_withdrawal_syndrome