Have you never heard of delirium tremens? Alcohol is physically addictive and when alcoholics quit drinking they not only get sick, they can die from the withdrawal.
It was pretty sad.
The "D.T.s" are well-known. That is why there are plenty of A.A. groups around. It doesn't have the fatality rate that narcotics have.
ADDICTION is when a person's single dose isn't enough. Said addict needs TWO doses for the same high, then three, then four and so on. Eventually HUGE amounts are needed to get the same high they had with the FIRST heroin shot. Eventually HUGE amounts of heroin needed just to NOT be sick.
Alcoholism isn't addictive because that need of more and more alcohol to get drunk doesn't happen. Some people are so sensitive to alcohol that two drinks will make them drunk. That doesn't change over the years. All the booze may kill them but the increase of dosage ISN'T necessary...thus no addiction.
That's the difference with REAL addiction. Eventually the overdose occurs with heroin because the MEGA amounts will eventually not cause the good ole high but will KILL the moron host.