The literature generally supports that alcohol is moderately less addictive than opioids (see the previously mentioned chart: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subs

The literature generally supports that alcohol is moderately less addictive than opioids (see the previously mentioned chart: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_abuse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_abuse). In addition, methamphetamine, hallucinogens and many other illegal drugs are significantly less addictive than opioids. It's difficult to identify what measurements are due to the intrinsic qualities of a drug vs the environment and methods associated with consumption. I think part of the bias is that when one thinks of alcohol one thinks of having a beer after work - opiates conjure up images of shooting up heroin. But a massive fraction of people take opioid pain killers on a temporary basis and suffer no ill effects - I'm sure many of them would admit that being under their influence is at least somewhat pleasant. Likewise, media seems slow to cover cases of horrific alcoholism with massive systemic organ failure. In Russia, for example, the life expectancy of men is 64 years old, largely due to a culture encouraging copious alcohol consumption.