Alcohol's main effect is on GABA receptors (the same things that are affected by benzos like Ativan and Klonopin) and the opiate effects are either downstream of GABA or are much less pronounced. Alcohol is a "dirty" chemical in that it interacts with many neurotransmitter systems, so it doesn't *not* have an effect on opioid receptors, but classifying it as an opioid would be like saying a car is a place to sit.
TaliZorahVasDeferens t1_jegbwfk wrote
Reply to ELI5: If Alcohol stimulate opioid receptors, how is it not classified as an opiate? by TriCombington
Alcohol's main effect is on GABA receptors (the same things that are affected by benzos like Ativan and Klonopin) and the opiate effects are either downstream of GABA or are much less pronounced. Alcohol is a "dirty" chemical in that it interacts with many neurotransmitter systems, so it doesn't *not* have an effect on opioid receptors, but classifying it as an opioid would be like saying a car is a place to sit.