Alcohol causes more harm than any other drug in society
Many people are aware that alcohol causes more harm than many other drugs available in our society.
In a UK study, alcohol was found to be the most harmful drug with an overall harm score of 72, followed by heroin (55) and crack cocaine (54). The study measured -
- harms to users (e.g., drug specific death and illnesses, dependence and loss of relationships, etc); and
- harms to others (e.g. crime, injury and social costs).
A similar Australian study also found alcohol to be the most harmful of all drugs in society.
Alcohol versus other risk factors
Among New Zealanders aged 15-49 years, alcohol causes more death and disability than smoking, poor nutrition, or other unhealthy behaviours.
All 2017 data can be retrieved from https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare/
Death
Disability (losing valuable years as a result of disability from alcohol use)
