How psychologically addicting is alcohol

[d3Xo-fan]

I would like to know how psychologically addicting alcohol is compared to heroin. I would also like to know how it compares to other opiates/opioids... as many as you can think of, if you don't mind, for instance morphine, codeine, methadone, buprenorphine... but heroin in particular.

Btw, I am NOT talking about the withdrawals here, just the cravings that is the psychological addiction.

Thank you.

 

[allegator]

Addiction is complicated. Luckily this thread simplifies it and mentions specifically the mechanisms behind opioids and alcohol, but don't skip over the part about dopamine as it is important no matter which drug (or just cracking your fingers) is involved.

The Basic Biology of Drug Addiction

 

[nAON]

Depends on the person. Though it's also very physically addictive.

 

[allegator]

^To state that wouldn't you also have to differentiate between the psychological and physical. I'm interested in how you personal do that as chemicals only 'physically' interact with one's brain which produces apparent 'psychological' symptoms.

 

[nsauce]

You know, I had seen an advertisement ages ago that said "quitting smoking is harder than quitting heroin" . Well, I had quit smoking at that time, so I figured that heroin would be no problem . Stupid advertisement .
:-D

 

[nAON]

^To state that wouldn't you also have to differentiate between the psychological and physical. I'm interested in how you personal do that as chemicals only 'physically' interact with one's brain which produces apparent 'psychological' symptoms.

I tend to judge substances as being 'physically' addictive if they produce withdrawal symptoms.

 

[Allein]

I have been alcohol dependent but never messed with opiates so I suppose I'm not really qualified to answer but I think the question is flawed. It all depends on the reasons for the abuse, the leve of that abuse and the person and their circumstances.

I would say, however I was drinking quite a bit everyday for about 3 years, and to cu a long story short have switched to benzos with little problem, not really a long term solution but the drink was doing me allot more damage and was way out of control as well as making me more depressed .

I don't think it would have been so easy to keep up a 3 year daily H habit and hold down a job and a relationship with kids etc and then switch to a substitute with such ease.

 

[Fox Grove]

for me alcohol was a huge problem. Because its legal! That right there makes it psychologically addictive for me, knowing you can ALWAYS get it.

 

[Allein]

^^

Its a fair point but having given up a 15 year+ tobacco habit and th4e booze it want an issue for me, if you want summit you will get it we=hther its legal or not but I agree its easier to go down th corner shop than find H......in most places