Two different discussions going on here..
Physiologically, alcohol is much worse on your system (assuming abusing both). Taken as prescribed or in moderation, most will have few ill effects. Alcohol is very hard on your body and organs.
Dependency, much easier to achieve with benzos. That is probably the only negative I can think to this discussion.
Societal implications: Which drug causes more deaths? Which drug is associated with the most violent crime? Which drug is associated with the most incarceration? Which drug is associated with the most rape? If you answered A for Alcohol you are correct!
Benzos are a bitch to come off of, as is alcohol if you become addicted. But for physiological problems alcohol harms not only your brain in significant ways, but also your liver. As others pointed out, the mg dose of a pure chemical will have ill effect on body and brain function (unless we are talking years of chronic dependency/abuse).
Physiologically, alcohol is much worse on your system (assuming abusing both). Taken as prescribed or in moderation, most will have few ill effects. Alcohol is very hard on your body and organs.
Dependency, much easier to achieve with benzos. That is probably the only negative I can think to this discussion.
Societal implications: Which drug causes more deaths? Which drug is associated with the most violent crime? Which drug is associated with the most incarceration? Which drug is associated with the most rape? If you answered A for Alcohol you are correct!
Benzos are a bitch to come off of, as is alcohol if you become addicted. But for physiological problems alcohol harms not only your brain in significant ways, but also your liver. As others pointed out, the mg dose of a pure chemical will have ill effect on body and brain function (unless we are talking years of chronic dependency/abuse).