BBC Horizon: Is alcohol worse than ecstasy?
"Is alcohol worse than ecstasy?" is a BBC documentary based on a study by Professor David Nutt, a psycho-pharmacologist at Bristol University and member of the Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs, published early 2007. He and his team analyzed the evidence of harm caused by 20 drugs. They asked a group of 29 consultant psychiatrists who specialize in addiction to rate the drugs in categories related to physical harm, related to the likelihood of addiction and related to social harms. They also extended the analysis to another group of 16 experts spanning several fields including pharmacology, police, chemistry, forensics, psychiatry and legal services. - IMDB
The ranking:
20 Cathinone (Khat)
19 Amyl nitrite (Poppers)
18 MDMA/ Ecstasy
17 GHB
16 Anabolic steroid
15 Methylphenidate (e.g. Ritalin)
14 LSD/ Acid
13 4-MTA
12 Solvents
11 THC (Cannabis)
10 Buprenophine hydrochloride
9 Nicotine (Tobacco)
8 Amphetamine/ Speed
7 Benzodiazepine (e.g. Valium)
6 Ketamine
5 Alcohol
4 Methadone
3 Barbiturates
2 Cocaine/ Crack cocaine
1 Heroin
For those who have seen this or read the report, what do you think of their rankings?
Aired Feb 5, 2008 - website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/horizon/broadband/tx/drugs/survey/
You can watch it on google video: http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=6108672696241807159
Professor David Nutt at the University of Bristol: http://www.bris.ac.uk/neuroscience/the_node/research/groups/pidetails/80
Watch the video or go to the website. It might help explain why they chose that ranking…
I hope you’re joking, Ty T. Marijuana is definitely on this list and it’s ranking surprised me.
Posted in forensic psychiatrist
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September 9th, 2010 at 12:06 am
The reasoning of the experts is sound, in that alcohol is more dangerous in general based on the fact that it is far more prevalent so the frequency of abuse related disease, death and injuries is therefore greater. Looking at an individual case, Ecstasy has far more serious medical manifestations and presents similar judgment and coordination problems related to operating a motor vehicle as compared to alcohol, and so from that perspective, Ecstasy is more dangerous to an individual. It should probably be rated as more dangerous than THC, less so than Ketamine. Millions of people use alcohol responsibly on a daily basis without abusing it or suffering detrimental effects. The same cannot be said for Ecstasy.
September 9th, 2010 at 12:07 am
Marijuana isnt even on the list! aewsome!
September 9th, 2010 at 12:07 am
I always thought e would be worse than alcohol, lol.
September 9th, 2010 at 12:07 am
How interesting. I’d agree with this. People don’t seem to realise that just because alcohol is legal doesn’t mean it isn’t harmful.
Thanks for that. I’m saving this page for future reference…
September 9th, 2010 at 12:07 am
Classically, benzos, methadone, and THC should be lower whereas I’m shocked to see nicotine so middle of the pack. Top five I agree with completely if you switched methadone for nicotine. Calls attention to risky drugs with very low therapeutic indexes (Therapeutic index is a comparison of the amount of drug it takes to cause the therapeutic effect against the amount of the drug it takes to cause toxic effects) like barbiturates, but methadone and its risk to society, the individual, and physical dependency/harm are so low they are begging to be challenged on that front.
Its interesting, but one flaw they will run into is some of the criteria they used is subjective. Therapeutic indexes are scientific, whereas damage to a person’s personal life, financial status, and to society is filled with so many variables it would be impossible to objectively qualify a number. Great study, brings to life variables not normally considered by scientists that are normally the focus of news organizations.
September 9th, 2010 at 12:07 am
IDK.. i agree with heroin being number one… but i would DEFF. think that E is worse than alcohol. deff.
September 9th, 2010 at 12:07 am
Well, apparently they have forgotten to put their own drugs on the list. The drugs that make you kill yourself or other people. I must say - psychiatrists are not any authority for me. Check these links.
school (short news)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAeABmVOS0s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSZ9YTnSkLc
A must see document told by psychiatrists, psychologist and other professionals who dared to tell the truth. These information can save your life as well as lives of people you love.
http://www.cchr.org/#/videos/making-a-killing-introduction
February 6th, 2011 at 4:06 am
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May 5th, 2011 at 10:49 am
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