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

[O maestre]

some say that a part of the human condition is suffering, or to be more precise struggling. it can be said that it is the main driving force of our species, hence why we perform at our best, when we struggle the most. although this reasoning is debatable it might explain why drug use is a method to escape having to deal with our struggles momentarily.

dr. Samuel Johnson said "He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man."

thats why we get "shit faced" or numb our minds, to rid ourselves of the "pain" of thinking for a moment, and to exercise "dumb fun". after all it is our intelligence that separates us from the rest of the animals, and drugs effectively give us a chance to lobotomize our intelligence to a more manageable size, if you understand what i am saying.

but what about the people who are not "struggling" the rich and the beautiful, even they use drugs, well i believe that we as well as trying to stop from "thinking", some people become self destructive in order to find suffering...

then again i am in no way qualified to postulate my theory with any credibility attached
this is simply my opinion based on my own experiences with drugs, both legal and illegal.
also by attaching a social ritual surrounding drugs, it transforms into a self perpetuating "sub culture" that exists in every country around the world. like religion, getting shit faced and stupid is part of the human mono-culture.

drugs are an effortless method of escaping and being entertained with friends or alone, and thats why i think it is preferred by people. despite the chaotic, thoughtless and seldom destructive nature of drugs and their influence.

 

[CRRPGMykael]

thats like asking why you love hamburgers so much.sure,they make you fat,but they TASTE REALLY GOOD.btw,i dont get smoking,nor hardcore synthetic drugs like cocaine but i understand drinking and weed.

 

[Liam Barden]

Also while im at it, it really really gets under my skin when people refer to alcohol and cigarettes and caffiene as different from drugs.
They are drugs.
They have many harmful side effects.
They cause lots of deaths.
They are all indeed far more dangerous than several illegal drugs such as cannabis and ecstacy. There is so much misinformation about drugs and it causes a lot of harm in the world.

I have no problem with people taking dangerous drugs like alcohol and cocaine, so long as they understand and respect the situation and the severity of what they are doing. Causing harm to other people under any (or no) substance is just not acceptable.

 

[Frungy]

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.

Do you live on tofu and only drink pure spring water? Why? Because tofu tastes like soggy cardboard and spring water is nice for a change but lousy as a rule. So people eat cheese burgers and other stuff you know is bad for you. You know what, cholesterol and heart attacks are the leading cause of death internationally, far outstripping smoking, drugs and even firearms... but people continue to gobble down those cheeseburgers (with extra cheese and bacon!) ... because they feel good.

That answer your question?

 

[MrA]

I smoke, drink and do drugs. Why you may ask? Because it's fun. Now yes, you can have fun without any of the three, but "Why use a flint and steel to start a fire, when you have a lighter?" Drinking, smoking and doing drugs makes things more fun in my opinion. I have no problem with people who choose not to do anything of the sort. I do however have a problem with those that choose not to but then openly lambast the act of doing any of the three with no particular reason and after having never tried it themselves. I mean it's understandable to have a negative stance if your life has been particularly affected by someone who's say addicted to drinking, smoking or doing drugs, but please keep it to yourself and don't judge my life choices and in turn I shall not judge yours.

 

[Jacob.pederson]

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.

As a guy who didn't touch alcohol or drugs until age 23 I can relate to your sentiment. Unfortunately, I don't imagine you'll like my answer. Mood altering substances (including the legal ones like anti-depressants) are an attempt at escalation as life's "normal" pleasures become routine. This is a natural part of aging and one that the young simply do not understand. I'm not going to generalize and say that this will happen to everybody, although I will admit to looking with suspicion at a 40 year old who claims to have "fallen in love all over again with X," whatever or whoever X is.

Despite what the commercials tell you, it is possible to simply "use" alcohol or drugs without abusing them; however, they are extremely dangerous substances, and should be treated with the utmost respect at all times (including legal anti-depressants). The younger you start using them, the more likely you are to become an abuser, as your self control is not fully developed. I'm at 34 now, and have been able to occasionally use alcohol without too many ill effects so far, but I don't want to generalize that too far into the future either.

The shear oppressive nature of day-to-day life is something you don't really "get" at age 25 or so. Sure, the emotional highs and lows are tidal waves compared to an adult's mind; however, you don't' know what it feels like to be responsible for feeding, clothing, and playing Terraria with a ten-year-old, until you've got one It's a wonder that so many of us make it through life without turning to drugs when viewed from this admittedly pessimistic perspective.

Scientific Note: It is also worth mentioning, that with specific reference to alcohol there is an evolutionary reason that we enjoy/tolerate being drunk. You'll notice that many many mammals have a similar tendency, the reason for this being the scarcity of sugar. As a large-brained animal, sugar is an absolutely essential nutrient for us. An increasing tolerance for alcohol is in fact an increasing tolerance for rotting fruit. Any mammal willing to consume a more rotted fruit than its competitors, gains access to the remaining sugar in that fruit; and hence a tolerance, or even a love of alcohol gives an adaptive advantage to that mammal So Cheers!

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

Smoking has no benefits It just tricks your brain into believing in a calming effect.
Drinking is bad on the long term but damn is it fun and it also has social value.
Some drugs really have no side effect. I don't somoke weed but I like to be informed and there are just no downsides, I can't find any dangers and the only risk is mild psychological disturbance.

Actually, smoking is a stimulant and thus offers some benefit. The downside is that the vector for this stimulant happens to be incredibly toxic.

 

[ReservoirAngel]

I'll explain in simple for what opinions apply to me personally:

Drugs: Makes everything totally awesome
Smoking: Dunno, just feels nice and relaxing for me
Alcohol: Every tried being sober around drunk people? It's boring. Being drunk around other drunk people, however, is good times.

 

[Hiikuro]

The question I have for people who've never tried either drinking or smoking : Why not?

Let me try to, somewhat, answer that, though I can only try to speak my past mind.

About a year ago I was furiously anti-alcohol, but also strongly in favor of other drugs (primarily hallucinogens). The reason I was so opposed to alcohol was not out of health reasons (though it was so during my younger years), but because of the pressure involved. Though, the risks of (stealthy) brain damage was a great fear.

I found it, and still do, extremely cruel that people and society pressures others into doing it. I was often wondering how humans can be that insensitive and uncaring. Eventually I had fallen into a strong depression as a result, feeling as if there was not a single good person using alcohol. I did not want to join that culture and become such a person. On top of that I saw how people behaved when drunk, how destructive it all seemed.

About half a year ago I crumbled (after the worst depressive episode I've ever experienced) and tried alcohol. I was underwhelmed by it. A week later I tried a stronger dose, reaching a BAC of about 0.1%, and still didn't "get it" (I was quite affected by it though).

In the present, I do drink. But only sake, and never more than a small glass once a week. I never drink in social situations (due to my aforementioned opinions), and I primarily drink for the divine taste.

Alcohol has caused me a lot of suffering, and alcohol has always been associated with something negative.


I am a drug user, though quite an atypical user I'd say. Primarily I drink tea (and lots of it), and every few days I drink catnip tea. On a few rare occasions I drink lemon balm tea. I also sometimes use supplementary theanine with my tea. And when I'm really bold I combine theanine/tea with catnip.

My intoxicating uses are:
- Drinking several cups of strong tea in succession, often using theanine in addition. It makes me euphoric, relaxed, and it makes my brain work/think a little differently. Sometimes I do it right before bedtime, and experience a delirious night which can be quite enjoyable. I've also brought a bottle of tea with me for my walks, which makes it much more enjoyable (due to intoxication, not taste, as I tend to drink it all within the first few minutes of the walk).

- I drink catnip when I want to relieve stress, laugh a little more, get less inhibited (an effect I'd rather attribute to placebo), or just make my body feel a little sedated. I enjoy it a lot, though at higher doses I start getting slight difficulties breathing, which makes me feel uncomfortable. It also seems to work extremely well as an (both short- and long-term) anti-depressant.

- I drink lemon balm very rarely, and I really don't like it much. But it does alter my consciousness in such an unique way that I do use it.

I suggest reading http://www.duncan-associates.com/Is-Recreational-Drug-Use-Normal.pdf, as it has, in my opinion, a lot of interesting thoughts on the subject.

 

[bobfish92]

Fun. But then if you use it to regularly self-medicate rather than amplify fun, that's when problems start.

 

[Nomad Warrior]

Smoking: Peer pressure. Drinking: "Why the hell not?" moment. As for smoking, only when I drink now. But neither are the crown jewel or the necessity of my life. More like a cut loose from home and work moment.

 

[Simeon Ivanov]

I'm gonna sound like a douchebag but:

I don't drink, smoke or do drugs and never plan to. One reason is that I hate cigarette smoke - it hurts my eyes and I can't stand the smell. Same deal with alcohol. I don´t mind if people drink or smoke, as long as it doesn´t affect me directly (or their health) Now since I don't have any experience I have no idea what it's like but to me it seems like a weakness - using dangerous shit to entertain yourself for a few hours. You might say that games are the same thing, but games don't smell like shit and don't give you a headache in the morning.

I think you can have fun without being drunk, or stoned or whatever.

 

[00slash00]

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.

you arent going to understand this thing by asking about it. you could read every book on the subject but unless you try it yourself you wont know. i wouldnt suggest dropping acid but smoke a cigarette, get drunk once, smoke a bowl. doing these things once isnt going to get you addicted and its not going to have any significant negative effects on your body. i smoke cigarettes socially and generally only when im drinking. drinking i do because its fun and its nice to just not care about anything for a night, plus it makes me more outgoing and since im a very shy person, this makes it easier to break the ice with new people and make friends. weed i rarely ever smoke anymore so i have almost zero tolerance for it, as a result it is not as fun for me to do with a group because ill get really fucked up much earlier than my friends. generally is just makes me really relaxed and mundane things just seem more significant (food, taking a shower, etc). plus there is no better sleeping aid than pot.

i have no desire to do anything that would make me trip, with the exception of salvia but those are just little mini trips. i might consider doing shrooms if it were a safe environment and i had nothing to do that day or the following day. psychedelics sound like fun but its something that makes me nervous and i cant see myself ever doing them

 

[9thRequiem]

The question I have for people who've never tried either drinking or smoking : Why not?

Let me try to, somewhat, answer that, though I can only try to speak my past mind.

About a year ago I was furiously anti-alcohol, but also strongly in favor of other drugs (primarily hallucinogens). The reason I was so opposed to alcohol was not out of health reasons (though it was so during my younger years), but because of the pressure involved. Though, the risks of (stealthy) brain damage was a great fear.

I found it, and still do, extremely cruel that people and society pressures others into doing it. I was often wondering how humans can be that insensitive and uncaring. Eventually I had fallen into a strong depression as a result, feeling as if there was not a single good person using alcohol. I did not want to join that culture and become such a person. On top of that I saw how people behaved when drunk, how destructive it all seemed.

About half a year ago I crumbled (after the worst depressive episode I've ever experienced) and tried alcohol. I was underwhelmed by it. A week later I tried a stronger dose, reaching a BAC of about 0.1%, and still didn't "get it" (I was quite affected by it though).

In the present, I do drink. But only sake, and never more than a small glass once a week. I never drink in social situations (due to my aforementioned opinions), and I primarily drink for the divine taste.

Alcohol has caused me a lot of suffering, and alcohol has always been associated with something negative.

Fair enough - you tried it, and didn't like it. There's nothing wrong with that at all.

Peer pressure makes everything instantly awkward whenever it shows up - the desire to do something / not do something purely to fit in, not because you chose it yourself.

And yes, I do understand what you mean when you talk about what you've seen of people when they're drunk. I wish I could say it was a minority, but it does happen a lot. The trouble is that alcohol stops you being clear about when you should stop drinking.

Thanks for the honest answer.