Why is alcohol withdrawal more deadly in comparison to “harder” drugs like heroin?
In: Biology
Alcohol and drugs only replaces substances that your body already creates naturally. When you introduce outside chemicals that triggers the same brain receptors you destroy the equilibrium in your brain and you become addicted to these external substances for normal functionning.
Heroin acts on opioids receptors that regulates pain. When you stop taking heroin your body will take time restart production of natural opioids and you will feel pain constantly but it will not kill you.
Alcohol acts on GABA receptors that regulates your brain activity level (fast or slow). When you stop taking alcohol your body will not be able to slow down naturally and you’ll be in a over-excited state all the time. And you might end up dead before your body has the time to rebalance itself.
Cocaine, and Meth will will act on your dopamine receptors. And that’s what makes you feel pleasure in life. When you stop it will takes year before anything becomes satisfying again.
I am oversimplifying it. But basically your body and brain constantly are constantly looking for homeostatis or balance. And taking drugs externally is destroying that balance.
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