Drugs and Alcohol

[TickTockMan]

Is using drugs a natural part of growing up?

 

[Fucker29]

Yes, since it's related to exploring and discovering things on your own, inherent condition to growing up. Of course, the usage (dosage, frequency, etc) is a tricky, dangerous territory.
Growing up, we have a natural tendency for curiosity and exploration...wich obviously results, many times, in making mistakes but making mistakes is what truly makes us grow.
Is it perfect? Maybe yes, maybe not. But nothing's ever perfect, nor it should be.

 

[TickTockMan]

Thank you.

 

[TickTockMan]

Do you think it is better to try drugs when you are younger rather doing it when you are older?

 

[Yooper]

Do you think it is better to try drugs when you are younger rather doing it when you are older?

No.

(filler, as I can't find the study about still developing brains and damage and stuff)

 

[slickery]

I wouldn't say that drug use is a natural part of growing up. I know many people that are grown and have never even though about trying drugs.

It's more a product of the environment. If someone say has an "uncle" that smoke pot, and a teenger pinches a little and then goes hangs out with his mates to try it, that's a lot different to the kids who have completely no exposure to something like that.

It's also certainly not "natural" to be high. So no I wouldn't call it natural or normal. As also there are older people who might also discover drugs as well.

 

[Shepherd 2]

I wouldn't say that drug use is a natural part of growing up. I know many people that are grown and have never even though about trying drugs.

It's more a product of the environment. If someone say has an "uncle" that smoke pot, and a teenger pinches a little and then goes hangs out with his mates to try it, that's a lot different to the kids who have completely no exposure to something like that.

It's also certainly not "natural" to be high. So no I wouldn't call it natural or normal. As also there are older people who might also discover drugs as well.

Sir, you are another of those straight shooting Aussies. Thanks for a well thought out and sensible response. I liked what you said.

Shep+

 

[giorgiobaby]

depends on the person, location and their home situation. I know people who have never tried any at all, some who have experimented in high school and college. Some I know have been using since high school and have never stopped. Every person is different, whether through peer pressure or natural curiosity, many kids will try....if they continue?

 

[gsdx]

Knowing when to stop is also a part of growing up.

 

[Fucker29]

I wouldn't say that drug use is a natural part of growing up. I know many people that are grown and have never even though about trying drugs.

It's more a product of the environment. If someone say has an "uncle" that smoke pot, and a teenger pinches a little and then goes hangs out with his mates to try it, that's a lot different to the kids who have completely no exposure to something like that.

It's also certainly not "natural" to be high. So no I wouldn't call it natural or normal. As also there are older people who might also discover drugs as well.

Please...how many things aren't a product and/or influenced by the environment?
We have to put things in context and consider the many factors of the surrounding environment. For those with exposure to drugs (and I don't mean having a smoking pot uncle...by living in a, at least, medium sized city, you're exposed to such things), this may very well be a natural part of growing up...I say natural because it's part of their environment.
It also depends on one's personality...one person may try it out of curiosity, another may try it out of peer pressure and wanting to fit in, etc.

As for the concept of "natural", it's ironic since most of what we have and do in life isn't "natural"...it's only "natural" in this environment we've created for ourselves.

 

[giorgiobaby]

Knowing when to stop is also a part of growing up.

well said sir

 

[Lukeee]

I have never used any illegal drugs or cigarettes and I am not in a situation where I want to.
I have only drank alcohol a few times and I don't care for it.
I was never pressured into doing drugs or alcohol because my friends are not pricks.

I am not totally against the abuse of drugs or alcohol but I don't think it is good for younger people to be doing it.

 

[RationalLunacy]

<serious>
As a recovering alcoholic and an employee at an alcohol & drug rehab, I will say this:

Use of alcohol and drugs is a normal part of growing up, as is experimentation with sexual activity. It's when the use turns in abuse that it is no longer normal. If you think you've crossed the line, get help.
</serious>

 

[TX-Beau]

[offtopic removed]

For those with exposure to drugs (and I don't mean having a smoking pot uncle...by living in a, at least, medium sized city, you're exposed to such things), this may very well be a natural part of growing up...I say natural because it's part of their environment.

Hell, there’s plenty of drug use in small towns. I knew more deadheads in the tiny town I grew up in than I did in college.

You only exponentiate the problems with drug use by moralizing about it and climbing up on marble pedestals, which is usually hypocritical anyway since there are plenty of drugs we use in our daily lives. I think experimentation is completely natural.

 

[Fucker29]

Hell, there’s plenty of drug use in small towns. I knew more deadheads in the tiny town I grew up in than I did in college.

Yes but usually, generally speaking, in bigger towns/cities you get more exposure to it. OR in small towns relatively close to bigger cities.

You only exponentiate the problems with drug use by moralizing about it and climbing up on marble pedestals, which is usually hypocritical anyway since there are plenty of drugs we use in our daily lives. I think experimentation is completely natural.

I couldn't agree more.

And good example you gave. It's funny when people are shouting bullshit like "Drugs are a problem of modern society!!!"...men has always used drugs! We do too in our everyday lives. Plus other "unnatural" things we depend on.

 

[TickTockMan]

<serious>
As a recovering alcoholic and an employee at an alcohol & drug rehab, I will say this:

Use of alcohol and drugs is a normal part of growing up, as is experimentation with sexual activity. It's when the use turns in abuse that it is no longer normal. If you think you've crossed the line, get help.
</serious>

How do you know that it has gone from experimentation to abuse?

This thread is not about me wanting to use. Its about someone I care for that I found out is using. Its complicated, but when I start to worry about him, I freak out.

 

[Fucker29]

This thread is not about me wanting to use. Its about someone I care for that I found out is using. Its complicated, but when I start to worry about him, I freak out.


How do you know that it has gone from experimentation to abuse?

There's also a more subtle abuse. A person doesn't have to act like a junkie on acid to be addicted. I know many people who smoke weed or hash everyday and they don't act like junkies at all and they lead a normal life...they're dependent on it as they are from mere cigarettes. It's still addiction mind you but it's not a heavy abuse.
If the person feels the NEED (keyword) to smoke it then it's a red flag. Because then it's not merely recreational, it's a NEED.

I smoke weed or hash but just every now and then. I don't feel the need to smoke it...it's purely recreational when I do smoke it.
Like I mentioned before, it depends on people's personalities and even their biology.

 

[Corny]

Not bad .. 8 posts while I was trying to remove the before 14 posts of your little fight. It's enough now - this thread is about:

Is using drugs a natural part of growing up?

And not whether you think drugs should be legal, are bad for you or not. Please keep it ontopic.

 

[EwanSF]

Why did you remove my on topic one as well?

 

[TX-Beau]

..Gratuitous Monty Python Reference...

We're being repressed!!!!