Why should such reminders even need to be recalled constantly?
Alcohol and benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, etc.) act as powerful depressants of the central nervous system, specifically targeting the brainstem and spinal cord. They bind to receptors in that brainstem and hence directly interfere with vital autonomous reflexes such as breathing. A sudden withdrawal carries the risk of inducing severely acute morbid states, as those resulting from a massive neurological rebound due to profound physical dependency adaptations. This abrupt cessation can trigger "Cold Turkey" and even lead to "Delirium Tremens" from such suppression, which actually requires emergency medical assistance to prevent life-threatening complications like seizures, convulsions, choking, up to cardiac arrest.
Opioids (heroin, Fentanyl, OxyContin) also bind to brainstem receptors, which is why an overdose is often deadly in case of a respiratory depression. However, while their type of "Cold Turkey" withdrawal is notoriously agonizing (similar to severe flu-like symptoms such as vomiting and dehydration), it's rarely fatal on its own. Indeed some state of extreme suffering is involved, but vital autonomous reflexes generally remain intact.
Further down the scale, Nicotine withdrawal causes significant systemic disruption (digestive issues, irritability, insomnia) but poses no risk to life.
Finally, Cannabis stands apart as there are virtually no cannabinoïd receptors in a human brainstem. There's simply no biological pathway to "overdose", so calling it just that while ignoring rational science ain't nothing consistent with real medicine. In fact this is a double-standard politically-driven
misnomer, worthy of $¢ientology propaganda on top of being physiologically impossible for healthy adults.
