I want drug users, smokers, alcoholics to explain this to me (seriously)

[TelHybrid]

As someone who does indulge in these unhealthy substances (though I am trying to go t-total now, wasn't exactly addicted per say, but it was very much the socially habitual norm), it's just simply the thrill of changing your mindframe through artificial means.

It's also a social booster too, picture the situations, such as the chats in the smoking areas outside of bars away from the loud noise, or the alcohol to loosen you up to go and talk to that girl you'd be too scared to talk to normally, and stop any social awkwardness from holding you back.

As for marijuana, personally it is (well was) just a relaxant after a long work week on a weekend with a few friends and some colourful films.

In other words, it's all situational. There's that thought in the back of a lot of people's heads that intoxicating substances are needed for a good time, but they're not needed. They're more of an icebreaker really.

 

[Lucifus]

It just seems like there is absolutely no good reason for doing drugs, or smoking, or drinking

Explaining what the attraction is to someone who has never even been drunk is difficult. Just go out and try it.

 

[Ed Classified]

I'm 21 years old (just about 22 at this point), I've never once smoked or done drugs, I barely ever drink and have never been drunk. I don't want to criticize those who partake in those activities and if you come into this topic expecting to do that, please go elsewhere.

I just want to know why you chose to do it. It's widely known now that the benefits of those things are temporary but they could ruin your lives fairly easily. It just seems like there is absolutely no good reason for doing drugs, or smoking, or drinking in excess. I know some people are addicted, and that sucks because that's tough for anyone to overcome. Some I know are self-destructive; they know it's bad but they do it anyway apparently because they just don't care.

But I know I can't truly know why because I've never experienced it myself, so I want to understand. Please, if you want to, give me your honest reasons for doing what you do so I can understand where you're coming from even if I don't agree with it.

Okay, since you aren't just demonising the subject I'll tell you my personal reasons.
So I smoke weed and cigarettes, I started doing this at a very young age and the reason was because I just wanted to try it.
But that's a long time ago nowadays it's simply a habit I guess you could call it an addiction but I don't feel the need to do it I just do it because I enjoy it.

I also drank for a while but I've stopped drinking two years ago without any trouble I could do the same with smoking but it has become part of who I am.
The thing I enjoy the most about weed in particular is actually the surrounding culture we have websites, slang, music, movies and so on. (also escapism)
I could compare the reason I smoke with the reason I play games, I like doing it and I like the community that surrounds it.
These are ofcourse my personal insights and there are plenty of other people with other reasons, but people ask me this alot so I thought I'd clarify.

Maybe now you can sort of get where I'm comming from and don't think I'm stupid I'm fully aware of the negative effects of my habits.
I'm just the kind of guy who wants to have as much fun as possible and I don't really care about my health that much.
I do have my boundries ofcourse I've never taken any hard drugs (XTC,Heroin, Meth and so on), people have offered it but considering the effect that those drugs have on you isn't worth the pleasure to me.
Personally I don't care if people use hard or softdrugs if it makes you happy you should do it and you really have to try drugs to understand the feeling.

Ps. I'm 18 years old and live in Holland where smoking weed is a bit more commonly accepted.

 

[DracoSuave]

When I was in high school, I thought 'There's no point to all this drinking and drugs and sex, it's unhealthy you gotta be stupid!'

Then I tried these things.

Then I learned why.

Now I'm not so judgemental about it. It's really something that experience can teach but describing it cannot.

So long as you do these activities in moderation, you won't find the health risks. You can overdo it, and bring yourself harm, but moderation is fine.

 

[Yosato]

As a regular drinker and ex-smoker the answer for me seems simple: because it's fun. When I go out in town, I like to have a good time. Getting wasted helps you forget about everything else and sometimes it's better to just go outside, have a fag and talk to some people you haven't seen since high school rather than just dancing with strangers to shit music (That's how 90% of smokers I know actually got into it)

As for the drugs, I've only ever tried them occasionally, but there's no real excuse behind it aside from "it's part of the university/college lifestyle". I just wouldn't feel satisfied unless I tried everything life has to offer - you hear people talk about how awesome these things are and your curiosity just gets the better of you. That's how it works for most people I imagine, myself included.

 

[Sniperyeti]

Why don't you go on the benefit, exercise for 3 hours a day, eat only fresh vegetables and fruits, get 10 hours sleep every night and live out the rest of your lfie doing the same thing every day until you eventually die aged 103.

There will always be a trade-off between health and enjoyment, some people choose to tip the scales on one side or the other depending on what means the most to them.

EDIT: I don't mean that as a personal attack, I'm just illustrating how these things fit onto a spectrum rather than being isolated one off choices.

 

[Orc Town Grot]

Agree??? Understand??? Do you plan to agree or understand? Why do people masturbate? Do you agree and understand that? Why do people eat food they like and avoid food they don't? Why do they become addicted to substances or behaviors? Why indeed. All drugs give experience an edge of some sort, a DIFFERENCE. A new perspective. Some of these will expand your mind. Others will destroy your mind. A lot to do with drugs is simply exciting and fun, often exciting and fun BECAUSE it is 'bad'. The addiction part is based on brain chemistry and emotional vulnerability, so you will find that the sad and the lost are drawn to drugs and drugs know how to take the sad and lost to a sadder and lonlier end than they deserve. OH YES! It can be extremely UGLY! You are right to live clean and avoid the shit. Good for you. May come a time when you could get some small benefits from a little cautious use of pot, or of mushrooms, or of LSD, but CAUTIOUS is the key here, for there is always danger in trying something different, you might like it way TOO much. Doesn't matter a fig how prudish and moral you think you are now either. If you come to point where you are exposed to drugs, its important to read up and know what you are dealing with, and be sure you are associated with good people, real friends, and cautious, honest, non addicted non-pusher types. Avoid all opiates, all pills you dont know what's in them, anything that comes in a needle. Stick to natural herbs and things used for thousands of years by SHAMENS. Some pot, some mushrooms, pyote, and be CAUTIOUS. You might even kiss the sky.

 

[Boletes Net]

I'm 21 years old (just about 22 at this point), I've never once smoked or done drugs, I barely ever drink and have never been drunk. I don't want to criticize those who partake in those activities and if you come into this topic expecting to do that, please go elsewhere.

I just want to know why you chose to do it. It's widely known now that the benefits of those things are temporary but they could ruin your lives fairly easily. It just seems like there is absolutely no good reason for doing drugs, or smoking, or drinking in excess. I know some people are addicted, and that sucks because that's tough for anyone to overcome. Some I know are self-destructive; they know it's bad but they do it anyway apparently because they just don't care.

But I know I can't truly know why because I've never experienced it myself, so I want to understand. Please, if you want to, give me your honest reasons for doing what you do so I can understand where you're coming from even if I don't agree with it.

I pretty much can't explain it, its something you have to experiance for yourself and weigh the odds. I don't drink and I've never smoked a ciggerate but yeah I do weed and I have stopped it for long periods of time when I've felt I've needed too but for me personally life is easier with it....not everyone has the same coping mechanisims and for me I use it in the same way people take anti depressents. If it starts to get in the way of things in my life then I know I can stop but right now I've got a pretty good balance

 

[Nabirius]

Because they can't stop asshole, its not as easy as you seem to believe, I know you probably have never experienced addiction or withdraw, but I have seen my friends withdraw a few times. A better question is why do they start, but lets face it you already know the answer to that, you drink (not heavily but you do). Why do you drink at all? Why take that risk? Because fitting in and having a bit of fun is worth what seems to be a relatively minor risk. A lot of people do drugs out of curiosity.

 

[rokkolpo]

Well everyone here has answered drinking.
Fun and makes you less tense.

Smoking weed (which I did a few times) can have hilarious outcomes.
It makes you feel good and as if someone is constantly telling a good joke and you just need to laugh.
And then you get stoned and you're probably still laughing like hell at this point.
Because damnit! Trees are just Funny!

That's really the only reason to do it.

 

[Meggiepants]

I've known a lot of smokers. My brother, my father, my friends in high school. If they are honest with you, which they won't usually be until they are ready to try to quit, they will almost always say, without a doubt, they began smoking to impress somebody, to seem cooler to a particular somebody or somebodies. Of course, they keep doing it because it's hard as shit to quit. I am impressed by anyone who has managed that feat. It took my brother 6 years to quit, and my father has never managed it all his life.

As for the rest of it, obviously that is done for the pleasure of it. I'm not saying there isn't something to be said for the image drinking and doing drugs brings. There is certainly going to be some of that, I'm not going to lie. But really, people do those things because of the pleasure.

 

[Kalado]

Because the best stories always start with "one night we were all completly drunk and thought it would be a good idea to..."

 

[aba1]

I'm 21 years old (just about 22 at this point), I've never once smoked or done drugs, I barely ever drink and have never been drunk. I don't want to criticize those who partake in those activities and if you come into this topic expecting to do that, please go elsewhere.

I just want to know why you chose to do it. It's widely known now that the benefits of those things are temporary but they could ruin your lives fairly easily. It just seems like there is absolutely no good reason for doing drugs, or smoking, or drinking in excess. I know some people are addicted, and that sucks because that's tough for anyone to overcome. Some I know are self-destructive; they know it's bad but they do it anyway apparently because they just don't care.

But I know I can't truly know why because I've never experienced it myself, so I want to understand. Please, if you want to, give me your honest reasons for doing what you do so I can understand where you're coming from even if I don't agree with it.

smoking is a product designed to relax the user and/or relieve stress
drinking is similar to smoking less adictive generally drinking alot is mostly just because its entertaining to see what you will do if you let yourself go wild
pot is actually pritty much the same thing actually lmao though I don't care what people say I have seen a ton of ppl get adicted to the stuff.

now personlly I dont like the taste of drinks, smoking is to adictive and expensive, and I have tried pot but I did nothing for me kinda lame I did like 5 times as much as my friends n got nothing but I was never interested in it to begin with. I am a really relaxed person without these tools so I don't really need them

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

I'm 21 years old (just about 22 at this point), I've never once smoked or done drugs, I barely ever drink and have never been drunk. ...
I just want to know why you chose to do it.

Excepting for addiction/dependancy there are many reasons why people choose to indulge in those vices. The fact that you refrain is admirable and you'll be well served to stick that way.

Smoking might smell bad and have possible effects on long term health and fitness, however it offers smokers a way to relax, it can relieve stress and be an enjoyable pastime if it doesn't become a habit. In this day and age the zeitgeist is that smoking is pure evil and I'm not going to argue with anyone about whether it is or is not. But in moderation and for example after a meal or in a social setting it perfectly fine and acceptable, like enjoying a dessert. Nothing wrong with people at a party for example enjoying shisha or a cigar.

Drinking damages the liver, impairs judgement, makes people aggressive, have bad breath and dehydrates the body and brain. However again, many drinks taste good and drinking offers a way to relax and loosen inhibitions. Getting drunk does give a buzz not dissimilar from a high. It is a social activity and in fact a little alcohol actually has health benefits.

Drugs are a different ball game. The downsides are many and quite harmful. They are illegal to take, possess or sell. They can be very addictive. The come-down can be very harsh (after all "What goes up, must come down". The reasons why people take them are varied and there are many types with different effects. Some are very relaxing (marijuana), some give you lots of energy (speed), some are trippy hallucinogens (LSD) and others give an incredible euphoria (MDMA). The biggest danger is that because of how profound these effects are, drugs can be very easily addictive. And they can ruin lives of people who have to have the next fix.

In moderation, I personally don't think there's anything wrong with any of the above. If used sensibly people can enjoy and indulge themselves with zero lasting harm. However the habit-forming nature of the above (and the illegality of drugs in particular) and health risks make it important that the message taught to the young 'uns is not to go near them. The problem is the mystique surrounding them is what makes them all so appealing, when the reality is really much more boring. I don't see what the fuss is about, but don't dispute that teens and kids should be kept away and if I had a kid they'd not be allowed within 10' of them.

Attitudes to these things change with age and/or experiences with them.

 

[Floggo]

I'm a drink alcohol because I just enjoy having a great time with friends and I love the taste of a nicely aged whiskey.

 

[blar the great]

well I like beer it's refreshing..and I like alot of strong drinks because of the flavor...I would still drink them if they didn't have alcohol, as for smoking I dun get it..but I don't object to it.

 

[Dogstile]

Give me your honest reasons for doing what you do so I can understand where you're coming from even if I don't agree with it.

It feels good.

No seriously, that is the only reason anyone ever has had or ever will. It usually feels great.

 

[pearcinator]

Never done drugs (no appeal at all)

Had one puff of a Cigarette (experience done as far as I am concerned)

I do like getting drunk occasionally but only on special occasions, not every weekend (or even every second day like some of my friends). Its fun but yeah...the only way you could get addicted to it is if you don't think very highly of yourself and NEED to be someone else for a night.

 

[Liam Barden]

I just want to know why you chose to do it. It's widely known now that the benefits of those things are temporary but they could ruin your lives fairly easily.

I used to think like that when i was 15 (not to belittle your point of view) but I soon came to the realisation that the negative aspects of drugs are highly overplayed. Yes, some people and up addicted and ruining their lives. However I have never once seen an otherwise healthy, secure and stable individual start to take any drug (except maybe heroin) and then lose everything because of it.
Rather, I think youll find that the people whos lives are ruined by drugs are simply 'losers', if you will. The kind of people that if drugs didnt destroy them, something else would. Of course, this doesnt apply to children since any psychoactive substance can pretty drastically affect a deveolping brain. But you dont have to worry about that anymore

I dont smoke, it just seems like such a bad deal to me. Likewise, I dont drink because it has huge risks, not only to your health but often to others too. It also makes me puke. However, I do like cannabis. I find the experience pleasurable and it helps me relax. It may be temporary, but you could say the same thing about eating fatty foods, which im sure you do at least sometimes. Moreover your personality doesnt change on cannabis, like it does on alcohol.

To be honest, I think you just need to lighten up If you dont want to try these things then dont, thats cool, but again you shouldnt be afraid of suddenly becoming a junkie and homeless if you do try it. In the same way that most people get sick of too much chocolate, most people do get sick of too much drugs too.

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

I never got into cigarettes, I have tried them here and there, but always seemed like too much of a hassle to actually be addicted to a substance, especially such an expensive one.

Alcohol is cool because it breaks down inhibitions, and most people want to be more honest and affectionate than they will allow themselves to be...some people also want to be violent, and that sucks, but I think they're in the minority. It can lead to some good times, and aid in bonding you with people.

Weed is nice, but I'm only an occasional user.

That's the limit of my experience. They can all do damage, but you know...everything does. I'm not just talking about bacon, either. The stress that comes with actually taking this bullshit existence seriously will fuck you up just as bad, if not worse.