Dimensions of Substance Abuse

The Lancet, a respected British medical journal, surveyed psychiatrists who specialize in substance abuse whose work produced this chart of the perceived harm comparison of dependence vs. harm for various substances.

You may not agree with the magnitudes of some as compared with others.  However, it is useful to consider the observations of those who work professionally with individuals involved with these substances. It should be kept in mind that a single individual, or family, is likely to have extensive experience with the variety of substances compared.