About Alcoholism - Alcoholism Information, Research and Treatment

"If I had a choice," said Dr. Herbert Kleber, assistant professor of psychiatry at Yale and coordinator of New Haven's drug-treatment screening program, "I would much rather be a heroin addict for 10 years than an alcohol addict for 10 years." He added: "If I were the heroin addict, I would have done far less harm to my body and my mind than if I were the alcoholic. I would also be far better prepared to accept treatment." The reason for the lesser danger of heroin over alcohol, Dr. Kleber said, is that, while excess alcohol use ravages the organ systems, heroin, in controlled dosages and with proper diet, causes no damage to the body in and of itself.