I can just agree on your words..
In my opinion indeed it is more dangerous than other drugs, because the people give alcohol permission! Everybody is drinking beer - but its really a alleyway. One maybe not even recognize he is addicted cause everybody is doing it and so one can still tell his conscience "everybody is doing it" besides they dont know whether they like the taste or just give in to the addiction... the only way to found out would be talking to others, how they feel about it. But if the are concerned about it - in my opinion they would never turn to that thought and OF COURSE - wouldnt talk about it!....
Drinking is also a common thing. YOu can do it in public - different from addictive drugs like heroin or so...

All the best to you from germany,
Johannes :)