People who drink Alcohol on a regular basis become tolerant to many of the unpleasant effects, and thus are able to drink more before suffering these effects.
Long-term use of anti-depressants brings about an unique set of withdrawal symptoms when discontinued; much different than the repeated use of an opioid, such as heroin.
New heroin users are often under the false impression that snorting or smoking heroin will not lead to addiction.
Studies indicate that women start to have alcohol-related problems at lower drinking levels than men do, partly because women weigh less than men.