Alcohol harms others more than it hurts us
The “alcohol and drugs” mantra has misled many to believe that the harms of alcohol are not comparable to those of other drugs. However, alcohol often ranks in the top 5 of combined harm and is the only drug to result in more harm to others than to users themselves.
Alcohol ranks in the top 5 for most harmful drugs
Alcohol often ranks in the top 5 for most harmful drugs when various aspects of harm (physical, emotional, to others, etc) are considered. Most drinkers do not consider alcohol to be a drug given its societal perceptions, leading them to consume alcohol as though it were harmless.
Alcohol’s safety margin is thin
Alcohol’s safety margin is narrow enough that it poses a serious risk of harm at doses 6-10 times what would give a typical buzz. Drugs with narrow safety margins have a low active/lethal dose ratio. Since the effects of alcohol are delayed, a drinker could mistakenly consume a dangerous dose before noticing any impairment.
Alcohol is rated as more dependence-producing than amphetamines
Misperceptions regarding the relative dependence-producing effects of various drugs can be attributed to the differences in populations of users. Alcohol is used by a majority of adults, whereas drugs like amphetamine are abused by a smaller subset of more vulnerable individuals. Environmental and genetic factors contribute greatly to one’s risk of addiction. When these factors are considered, the dependence-producing effects of alcohol rank highly among all drugs of abuse. Additionally, because alcohol is a depressant, its withdrawal poses the risk of seizures, delirium, and anxiety if not handled by a medical professional.
Alcohol increases your risk of certain cancers - at all doses
Certain substances have the potential to be beneficial or neutral at low doses, and toxic at higher ones (called "hormesis"). While obvious that alcohol is overtly toxic at higher doses, there exists no level of consumption that has not tied to an elevated risk of certain cancers.