Which addiction is worse? Alcoholism, drugs, gambling? Why?

Answer 1

They are pretty much the same. Both have a physiological and Psychological component. The body chemistry is altered permantly. The addict pshcylogically and physically feel the need for the addiction.
In the case of the drugs and alcohol, the chemical component is obvious, the drug of choice ( alcohol is a drug too). In the case of behavioural addictions such as gambling, risk-taking, and sociopathy, the excitement produced by the behaviour causes the body to produce endorphins, narcotic-like hormones that are much more powerful than heroin.. As the body metabolises these chemicals, (endorphins, street drugs, alcohol) it builds a tolerance to the chemical, so it takes more and more to achieve the same high.
The psycological part is the beleif that the addict must have his drug to survive. Usually as an addict detoxifies they experience a "Backlash" effect where the nerve signals that were blocked by the drug, seem to try and catch up on lost time and become over active. A detoxing addict will hallucinate, experience hypersensitivity to light and sound, be irritable or depressed, have sensations of extreme cold or heat. In all cases they will be willing to do anything to feed the addiction.
So which is worse? Drugs and alcohol are equally bad from the physiological point of view. Since the body can produce endorphins at a limited rate, and endorphins can actually clear the system in a few months. From the pshcological point of view, they are all the same.

Answer 2

Naltrexone, has been available to ex-opiate addicts for a long time. If an addict should use an opiate while taking these they won't get any effect, naltrexone blocks the receptors in the brain where the opiate would take effect. All the time the patient keeps taking it there's no point in trying to get any opiate buzz.. If the patient craves the release they once got from opiates they could stop taking the naltrexone and go back to their old ways. It's still a choice they have to make but naltrexone can help. I didn't know that alcoholics could benefit from it as well. Naltrexone is another tool, not a cure all.

Answer 3

Gambling

Answer 4

They are all essentially the same, alcohol and drugs poison the body and gambling leaves you physically ok but in the same mental condition. On the other hand, recovery from each or all of them is equally good.

Answer 5

I'm taking a drugs and society class, and as far as I can tell, if it's to the level of addiction, it doesn't matter--life has ceased to be good. I think the main difference lies in how hard it is to get out, but the differences can be surprising. They say nicotine is harder to get off of than heroin. Compulsive behaviors can stimulate the same areas of the brain related to drug use.

Answer 6

I have to agree that every addiction is destroying your health,social life,family,real feelings,friendships,relationships and your personality in general. SO, these addictions are kinda different from smoking because you ruin your life quicker.I got through some addictions and I know how difficult it is.

Answer 7

all of them are bad addictions,alcohol,drugs and gambling poison your body and life!

Answer 8

Addiction is addiction, no matter what it is, it is an illness that can destroy your life and make those around your life a living hell!

Answer 9

Whichever addiction gets in the way of you or your family living your life.

Answer 10

Any addiction comes with pain and sadness. So the answer to your question is all three.