Lena Savoie
Alcohol and marijuana are two of the most commonly used substances worldwide. While the effects of both on the human body have been widely studied, the number of deaths caused by each differs significantly. Alcohol has been linked to a high number of overdose deaths, with the CDC reporting nearly 88,000 alcohol-related overdose deaths each year in the United States, while marijuana has been associated with almost zero deaths due to its extremely low toxicity. This text will explore the research and evidence behind the number of fatalities caused by these two drugs and discuss the potential reasons for the disparity in death tolls.
| Characteristics | Values | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of annual deaths in the US | Alcohol: 30,000+ | Marijuana: almost zero |
| Mortality risk | Alcohol: high | Marijuana: 114 times less than alcohol |
| Fatal overdose possibility | Alcohol: yes | Marijuana: no |
| Addictive properties | Alcohol: more addictive | Marijuana: less addictive |
| Harm to the body | Alcohol: higher | Marijuana: lower |
| Risk-taking behaviour | Alcohol: increases | Marijuana: does not increase |
| Risk of injury | Alcohol: increases | Marijuana: does not increase |
| Cancer risk | Alcohol: not mentioned | Marijuana: not conclusively associated with any form of cancer |
| Pregnancy risk | Alcohol: causes FASDs | Marijuana: may be linked to low birth weight |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol is more addictive than marijuana
Alcohol is one of the most commonly used substances worldwide and is deeply ingrained in many cultures and societies. While moderate alcohol consumption may not pose significant risks, excessive and prolonged use can lead to dependence and addiction. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30,000 annual deaths in the United States are attributed to the health effects of alcohol, excluding accidental deaths. Additionally, the CDC reports more than 1,600 deaths per year in the U.S. due to alcohol poisoning.
On the other hand, marijuana is widely used for various purposes, including social and recreational contexts, medical benefits, and therapeutic applications. While marijuana use may have some negative consequences, it is considered one of the least toxic drugs, requiring an extremely high dose relative to the typical amount used to induce death. Importantly, there has never been a recorded case of an individual dying from a marijuana overdose.
Comparing the addictive qualities of alcohol and marijuana is complex, as addiction can manifest differently in different individuals, and various factors influence the development of addiction. However, research suggests that alcohol addiction is more prevalent than marijuana addiction. Alcohol addiction, or Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), is influenced by factors such as genetics, drinking habits, and individual traits.
Marijuana, while generally considered less addictive, can still lead to dependence and addiction. Research indicates that marijuana users may have around a 10% chance of developing marijuana dependence, characterised by withdrawal symptoms and an inability to control cannabis use despite negative consequences. Recognising marijuana addiction can be challenging, and further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between marijuana use and addiction.
In summary, while both alcohol and marijuana can be addictive and have negative health consequences, alcohol appears to be more addictive than marijuana, with more severe withdrawal symptoms and a higher prevalence of addiction. The health effects of excessive alcohol use are also more detrimental, with a higher mortality risk compared to marijuana.
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Alcohol overdoses are fatal
Alcohol is one of the most toxic drugs. Consuming too much alcohol too quickly can lead to an overdose, which can be fatal. An alcohol overdose occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that areas of the brain controlling basic life-support functions—such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control—begin to shut down.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 30,000 annual U.S. deaths are attributed to the health effects of alcohol. This figure does not include accidental deaths. On the other hand, the CDC does not have a category for deaths caused by the health effects of marijuana. A study published in Scientific Reports in January 2015 found that the mortality risk associated with marijuana was approximately 114 times less than that of alcohol.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), binge drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or higher. For a typical adult, this corresponds to consuming five or more drinks (male) or four or more drinks (female) in about two hours. High-intensity drinking is defined as drinking two or more times the binge-drinking thresholds for women and men. Teenagers and young adults who drink may be at particular risk for alcohol overdose.
The symptoms of an alcohol overdose include mental confusion, difficulty remaining conscious, vomiting, seizures, trouble breathing, slow heart rate, and clammy skin. It is important to call for emergency medical help immediately if an alcohol overdose is suspected. Do not wait for the person to exhibit all the symptoms, and be aware that a person who has passed out can die. Cold showers, hot coffee, and walking are not effective in reversing the effects of alcohol overdose and may even make the situation worse.
Alcohol is more toxic and addictive than marijuana. It is also more harmful to the body and more likely to contribute to violent or reckless behaviour. Research has found that 36% of hospitalized assaults and 21% of all injuries are attributable to alcohol use by the injured person. In contrast, marijuana use is rarely associated with emergency room visits. Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 13,524 deaths (32% of overall driving fatalities) in 2022.
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Marijuana is linked to lower incidences of cancer
While alcohol is linked to tens of thousands of deaths in the US alone, there are no recorded instances of death caused by marijuana use. A 2015 study found that the mortality risk associated with marijuana was about 114 times lower than that of alcohol.
Despite the common association between marijuana use and cancer, there is no conclusive evidence linking the two. In fact, some studies suggest that marijuana use may even reduce the likelihood of certain cancers. For example, a 2009 study contradicted the long-standing claim that marijuana use increases the risk of head and neck cancers. Similarly, a 2006 study, the largest case-controlled study of its kind, found no link between marijuana smoking and lung cancer. On the contrary, the researchers found that marijuana smokers had lower incidences of cancer compared to non-users.
Marijuana use has also been associated with a lower risk of certain cancers in children. A 2006 case-control study found that children whose mothers used cannabis during pregnancy or in the three months preceding it had a significantly lower risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) compared to children whose mothers did not use cannabis during that period.
However, it is important to note that the potential long-term toxic effects of marijuana use, particularly through vaping, are not yet fully understood. While vaping marijuana may have lower tar levels than smoking, it can still contain toxic levels of ammonia and heavy metals that may be associated with certain cancers.
In summary, while marijuana use has not been conclusively linked to any form of cancer, it is important to approach novel drug delivery methods with caution and to be aware of the potential risks associated with any substance use.
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Alcohol increases the odds of a car accident by 2,200%
Alcohol is a substance that reduces brain function, impairing thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination. These abilities are essential for operating a vehicle safely. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect one's ability to drive, and the risk of a crash increases exponentially as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises.
Research has found that alcohol consumption significantly increases the odds of a fatal motor vehicle accident. At all levels of consumption, the odds of dying in a motor vehicle crash are significantly higher than for zero alcohol consumption. Specifically, for every 0.02% increase in BAC, the odds ratio (OR) increases by 1.60, which is not statistically significant. However, at a BAC of 0.05, the risk of a car crash increases by 100%, and at 0.08, the legal limit in most places, the crash odds have been found to triple. This is concerning, as it does not take many drinks to reach these BAC thresholds. For example, a 160-pound man would reach a BAC of 0.05 after just two drinks in an hour, while a 120-pound woman would reach a BAC of 0.08 after consuming the same amount.
The effects of alcohol on driving ability are well-documented, with alcohol-impaired driving being a leading cause of death for teens. In 2023, 30% of young drivers aged 15 to 20 who were killed in crashes had BACs of 0.01 or higher, and there were 2,117 people killed in alcohol-related crashes where the driver had a BAC between 0.01 and 0.07. Additionally, alcohol increases violent and reckless behavior, with 36% of hospitalized assaults and 21% of all injuries attributable to alcohol use by the injured person.
In contrast, marijuana use has not been conclusively linked to an increased risk of car accidents. While some research suggests a positive association between cannabis use and motor vehicle accidents, other studies indicate that stoned driving is significantly safer than drunk driving. Marijuana is also less toxic, less addictive, and less harmful to the body than alcohol. Importantly, there has never been a fatal marijuana overdose, whereas alcohol overdoses do occur.
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There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy
Alcohol is significantly more harmful than marijuana. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 30,000 annual U.S. deaths are attributed to the health effects of alcohol, with more than 1,600 of these due to alcohol poisoning. On the other hand, the CDC does not have a category for deaths caused by marijuana, and there has never been a case of an individual dying from a marijuana overdose. Research has shown that marijuana is one of the least toxic drugs, and its use is not associated with an increased risk of developing lung cancer.
While marijuana may be safer for the general population, alcohol poses a unique set of risks during pregnancy. There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy. Alcohol use during this period is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It can also cause a range of lifelong behavioural, intellectual, and physical disabilities known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). These risks are present throughout the entire pregnancy, even before a woman knows she is pregnant, and there is no safe time to consume alcohol during this period.
The developing fetus is particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of alcohol. When a pregnant woman consumes alcohol, it passes through the placenta and reaches the baby, affecting its development. The baby's liver is not fully developed and cannot process alcohol effectively, leading to serious health consequences. The risks associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy are dose-dependent, with heavier drinking patterns resulting in more severe outcomes. Binge drinking, defined as consuming five or more drinks in one sitting, greatly increases the risk of alcohol-related harm to the fetus.
Even moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have detrimental effects on the developing fetus. It is important to note that the risks associated with alcohol use during pregnancy may vary between individuals. While one pregnancy may result in a healthy child, another pregnancy may be affected by alcohol consumption, leading to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders or other complications. Therefore, it is crucial for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant to refrain from consuming any amount of alcohol.
If a woman did not know she was pregnant and consumed alcohol, it is recommended to stop drinking as soon as she finds out. Seeking regular prenatal care and consulting with a healthcare provider or midwife can help monitor the baby's development and address any potential concerns. Additionally, support is available for women who struggle with alcohol use during pregnancy, including local Alcoholics Anonymous groups, alcohol treatment centers, and rehabilitation programs.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30,000 annual deaths in the U.S. are attributed to the health effects of alcohol. This figure does not include accidental deaths. On the other hand, there have been no reported deaths from marijuana overdoses, and the CDC does not have a category for deaths caused by marijuana.
A study published in Scientific Reports in 2015 found that the mortality risk associated with marijuana was approximately 114 times less than that of alcohol. To overdose on THC, the potent chemical in marijuana, one would need to consume between 15 and 70 grams of it. Considering a typical joint contains about half a gram of marijuana, an individual would need to smoke between 238 and 1,113 joints in a day to overdose.
Alcohol use increases the risk of injury by impairing judgement and coordination, leading to a higher likelihood of accidents. Research has found that 36% of hospitalized assaults and 21% of all injuries are linked to alcohol consumption. Alcohol also increases the risk of violent or reckless behaviour, contributing to deliberate self-harm, domestic accidents, and violence.
Marijuana use has not been found to increase risk-taking behaviour in the same way as alcohol. While marijuana is the most commonly detected drug in drivers involved in car accidents after alcohol, the odds of being in a car accident increase by 83% with marijuana use compared to over 2,200% with alcohol use. Overall, marijuana is less toxic, less addictive, and less harmful to the body than alcohol.
