Isn't alcohol also a drug?

[catalyst8]

I didn't make an incorrect statement, I made a correct one and figured it was covered for English as well, Obviously I was wrong, now wasn't I?

So you made a correct statement which was wrong? Therefore it was an incorrect statement...

Still, you keep doding the fact that the English definition covers things as food and candy, so it obviously isn't flawless either.

That's a non sequitur. Many foods do have mild or even strong narcotic effects, from the various sugars, to the alkaloid caffeine, to the opiate present in some forms of lettuce - yes, they are most definitely drugs. The definition of the word is, quite literally, the definitive description of it. Just because you seem to want anything which falls under the definition of 'drug' to be illegal, intoxicating, addictive & harmful does not make it so (as I hope I demonstrated by citing penicillin as an example of a drug which is none of those things).

Hence:

I think I prefer mine [definition], it narrows down things to "Hey, look, this shit is actually dangerous, what we usually talk about when we talk about drugs" (for no, the average-conversation most likely won't be about fucking apsirin).

This harks back to Orwell's concept of 'Newspeak' which denudes language, removing its potency in favour of simplified & simple-minded banality.

You may prefer your idea of what you'd like the definition to be, but the definition isn't that. There's no need to become agitated & start swearing at me because a word doesn't mean what you want it to or think it should, that behaviour doesn't have any place in a mature discussion & is quite absurd. Regardless of whether you like it or not, the fact of the matter is that the definition for drug is as I've already provided: 'a medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body' and 'a substance taken for its narcotic or stimulant effects, often illegally' (OED 2012).

 

[Realitycrash]

I didn't make an incorrect statement, I made a correct one and figured it was covered for English as well, Obviously I was wrong, now wasn't I?

So you made a correct statement which was wrong? Therefore it was an incorrect statement...

Still, you keep doding the fact that the English definition covers things as food and candy, so it obviously isn't flawless either.

That's a non sequitur. Many foods do have mild or even strong narcotic effects, from the various sugars, to the alkaloid caffeine, to the opiate present in some forms of lettuce - yes, they are most definitely drugs. The definition of the word is, quite literally, the definitive description of it. Just because you seem to want anything which falls under the definition of 'drug' to be illegal, intoxicating, addictive & harmful does not make it so (as I hope I demonstrated by citing penicillin as an example of a drug which is none of those things).

Hence:

I think I prefer mine [definition], it narrows down things to "Hey, look, this shit is actually dangerous, what we usually talk about when we talk about drugs" (for no, the average-conversation most likely won't be about fucking apsirin).

This harks back to Orwell's concept of 'Newspeak' which denudes language, removing its potency in favour of simplified & simple-minded banality.

You may prefer your idea of what you'd like the definition to be, but the definition isn't that. There's no need to become agitated & start swearing at me because a word doesn't mean what you want it to or think it should, that behaviour doesn't have any place in a mature discussion & is quite absurd. Regardless of whether you like it or not, the fact of the matter is that the definition for drug is as I've already provided: 'a medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body' and 'a substance taken for its narcotic or stimulant effects, often illegally' (OED 2012).

You know what? I was gonna let this go, but then you called me immature. When have I sweared at you? Really? I made a statement in bold, that's all. (And oh, I might have used "fucking" for emphasis. What, that offended you?)
So no. I'm gonna crack down on every single weak-point in you argument (especially the one about Newspeak). But not now, tomorrow. When my meta-ethics professor is late for his lecture, as per usual.
I will see you then, sir.

(Not letting things go might be a sign of immaturity, though. Well aware of the irony. And in the end, we will both look immature, for arguing over the internet).

 

[Zen Toombs]

Pretty much. But it's a socially acceptable drug, so that makes it okay!
[small]or something[/small]

 

[catalyst8]

[...]When have I sweared at you? [...] I might have used "fucking" for emphasis [...]

Ah yes, that would be it.

As I said, just because you don't like something is not a reason to start swearing at people, & it's definitely not the sort of behaviour that has any place in a mature discussion. I'm sorry if that upsets you, but it's the way of things. It might be worth reminding you that The Escapist mods feel the same way.

To say you didn't & then admit that you did in the next sentence is a bit like when you insisted what you'd posted was correct even though you simultaneously admitted it was wrong:

I didn't make an incorrect statement, I made a correct one and figured it was covered for English as well, Obviously I was wrong, now wasn't I?

 

[Professor James]

Yes, it is. It's also a lot more addictive and detrimental to your health than many illegal drugs

With people with comments like these; I already know how hazardous or addictive alcohol can be. Also for all marijuana users, using "marijuana is less hazardous than tobacco or alcohol" as an argument to legalize it is not that great; since just because X might be less dangerous then Y doesn't mean we should allow X.

Still, you keep doding the fact that the English definition covers things as food and candy, so it obviously isn't flawless either.
I think I prefer mine, it narrows down things to "Hey, look, this shit is actually dangerous, what we usually talk about when we talk about drugs" (for no, the average-conversation most likely won't be about fucking apsirin).

That's the scientific definition that includes everything. "Drug" means completely different things to different people, but most likely when someone mentions it they're refering to Illegal Drugs. Which includes illegal drugs and nothing else. Now if you want to refer to "dangerous" drugs, you really have to define your standards on what makes a drug "dangerous."

Which is exactly my point: The definitions provided by the lexicon is too broad to be of any real use.
That's why I prefer mine, "Inaccurate" as it is.

Personally I do agree that the scientific definition is a bit too broad but I also think your definiton is a bit too inaccurate and limiting.

 

[smithy_2045]

Why do people say drugs and alcohol or something along those lines when alcohol is also a drug? Cigarettes also gets somewhat of a similar treatment.

Because alcohol and cigarettes are legal.

It's a silly double standard.

 

[Angry_squirrel]

With people with comments like these; I already how hazardous or addictive alcohol can be. Also for all marijuana users, using "marijuana is less hazardous than tobacco or alcohol" as an argument to legalize it is not that great; since just because X might be less dangerous then Y doesn't mean we should allow X.

Good point.
I think however that the marijuana legalization argument is aimed specifically at drinkers. Why is it that someone who drinks alcohol, the more harmful drug, be able to dictate whether someone else does marijuana, which is less harmful.

Personally, I think that yes, alcohol and cigarettes are drugs. So is caffeine. And a great many other substances. The way I see it, all are bad for your health, and doing any drug (unless for medical purposes) is a bad idea.

 

[Tiger King]

marijuana is still dangerous just as alcohol is, I've seen the effects of paranoid psychosis brought on by a heavy weed habit. it's very disturbing.
but again it's like alcohol if you abuse it, it will abuse you.
i also used to know an alcoholic, he sadly drank himself to death (was found by his son after coming home from school) the simularities of the alcoholic and the mentally ill cannabis smoker are almost mirror like in their circumstances.
They both shut themselves off socially
both sat watching the telly all day drinking or smoking
both were left to ruin themselves as both drugs aren't taken seriously
weed is "not leathel" and drinkers are laughed off as "he likes a drink" by friends not wanting to see the elephant in the living room

Marijuana in itself cannot cause a person to suddenly become psychotic. But yes, if a person already has a dormant psychological condition, heavy marijuana use can make it surface, but the exact same thing can be said about alcohol and many kinds of medication.

What you describe are symptoms of people who have become addicted to a particular substance. This is entirely the person's fault, as they are incapable of limiting themselves. Don't blame drugs for the idiocy of people.

i didnt. if you read my post you will see i put "if you abuse it it will abuse you"

 

[Aerosteam]

Because 'drugs' is widely being used as the abbreviation of 'illegal drugs'. Alcohol isn't illegal, so one can say he/she drinks alcohol, but doesn't 'do drugs'.

 

[Professor James]

Why do people say drugs and alcohol or something along those lines when alcohol is also a drug? Tobacco also gets somewhat of a similar treatment.

Dude, chocolate is a drug. Caffeine is a drug.

If I remember correctly, drugs are just things that change your mental or physical state. Chocolate is actually a poison, you have to eat 14KG to die from it but still.

When people say drugs they are talking about the "fun" kind, weed for example.

Isn't pretty much anything that is taking in really high amounts could be lethal or harmful in some way?

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Why do people say drugs and alcohol or something along those lines when alcohol is also a drug? Tobacco also gets somewhat of a similar treatment.

Dude, chocolate is a drug. Caffeine is a drug.

If I remember correctly, drugs are just things that change your mental or physical state. Chocolate is actually a poison, you have to eat 14KG to die from it but still.

When people say drugs they are talking about the "fun" kind, weed for example.

Isn't pretty much anything that is taking in really high amounts could be lethal or harmful in some way?

Did you plan this or something? You necro'd your own thread exactly one year after starting it. Well, minus three hours, anyway.


And to answer your question, yes, that is true. Even water is poisonous if you drink enough of it at once. But as the old saying goes, "the dose makes the poison," and we tend to only consider things poisonous if the negative effects show up after a relatively small dose.

 

[HoneyVision]

I'm pretty sure something has to be addictive for it to be labeled a drug.

 

[Bleidd Whitefalcon]

I'm pretty sure something has to be addictive for it to be labeled a drug.

Alcohol IS addictive - that's what alcoholics are addicted to

 

[HoneyVision]

I'm pretty sure something has to be addictive for it to be labeled a drug.

Alcohol IS addictive - that's what alcoholics are addicted to

No, I'm referring to the people talking about anything is poisonous given that you consume enough of it. That doesn't make them equal with drugs, because they're not as pleasurable or as addictive.

 

[HoneyVision]

I'm pretty sure something has to be addictive for it to be labeled a drug.

Alcohol IS addictive - that's what alcoholics are addicted to

No, I'm referring to the people talking about anything is poisonous given that you consume enough of it. That doesn't make them equal with drugs, because they're not as pleasurable or as addictive.

As far as I'm concerned, I think our world would be much better without alcohol or tobacco. Tobacco serves no purpose really and there are too many idiots and hedonists that abuse alcohol and kinda ruin it for the rest. But maybe it's easier for me since I think all alcohols, save wine and champagne, taste like shit.

 

[Shpongled]

I'm pretty sure something has to be addictive for it to be labeled a drug.

You don't think LSD or magic mushrooms are drugs? That's an odd notion.

 

[hazabaza1]

Why do people say drugs and alcohol or something along those lines when alcohol is also a drug? Tobacco also gets somewhat of a similar treatment.

Dude, chocolate is a drug. Caffeine is a drug.

If I remember correctly, drugs are just things that change your mental or physical state. Chocolate is actually a poison, you have to eat 14KG to die from it but still.

When people say drugs they are talking about the "fun" kind, weed for example.

Isn't pretty much anything that is taking in really high amounts could be lethal or harmful in some way?

Jesus, you're on a fucking necro spree. What's going on with you?

 

[Smeatza]

Yes alcohol is a drug, yes tobacco is a drug, yes caffeine is a drug.
If it must be ingested, has a physiological effect, and isn't food, then it's a drug.

 

[Bertylicious]

Winners don't do drugs, so next time you have a headache you should just tank it rather than reaching for the paracetemol.

Well, you only have to drink 4.5 liters of water in an hour for it to be lethal, so hey, chocolate isn't as poisonous as water.

I do not believe that is true. I am pretty sure that I have drunk over 4.5 liters in an hour and haven't gone on to join the choir celestial.

Wait, are we talking about in New York? I heard that they have trace amounts of strychnine in their tap water.

 

[nomzy]

-snip-
Then explain why, when the very first time I got drunk and I was expecting myself to be quite a depressive and mean drunk, I was not.
Explain to me.
EXPLAIN. TO ME.

Well I don't know about you, but for me it just makes me more emotional.
If I drink when I'm happy, I'll be happier, but I'm depressed it simply exacerbates it.
Might be the same thing for you. /shrug