Part of the complexity of studying substance-related harms is considering the balance between impact to an individual, and harm caused to those around them.[2] In a multicriteria decision analysis, alcohol was found to be the most harmful substance.[2]
Reference:
[1] Jones L, Bates G, Bellis M, et al. A Summary of the Health Harms of Drugs. United Kingdon Department of Health, 2011. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/215470/dh_129674.pdf. Accessed November 2021.
[2] Nutt DJ, King LA, Phillips LD; Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs. Drug harms in the UK: a multicriteria decision analysis. Lancet 2010; 376 (9752): 1558–1565.
[3] Manthey J, Hassan SA, Carr S, et al. What are the economic costs to society attributable to alcohol use? A systematic review and modelling study. Pharmacoeconomics 2021; 39 (7): 809–822.
[4] United States Department of Health & Human Services. Facing Addiction in America. The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health. 2016.
[5] Sacks JJ, Gonzales KR, Bouchery EE, et al. 2010 National and state costs of excessive alcohol consumption. Am J Prev Med 2015; 49 (5): e73–e79.
[6]United States Department of Justice National Drug Intelligence Center. The Economic Impact of Illicit Drug Use on American Society. United States Department of Justice, 2011. Available at: https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs44/44731/44731p.pdf. Accessed November 2021.
