I just wondered what the split is here - how many people are into smoking, drinking to excess and/or drugs and how many aren't?

I used to smoke, drink far more than is healthy and have been known to smoke a little weed. Over the past few years I've cut all of that out. I don't smoke, drink maybe one glass of wine a month and am very anti drugs. (A friend of mine suffered a drug-induced psychosis and killed himself by sitting in front of a train - it was a huge shock and affected the way I think of drugs now).

Do you think that people who do any of the above are hitting a self-destruct button in some way? I think I got into it to rebel against a strict childhood, but other people may have other reasons. I definately think I was into a self-destruct lifestyle in my youth, but perhaps you don't look at it that way. I'd like to know your views.

I sometimes think that I come across as crazy on the threads. In reality, I don't drink to excess much, that happens maybe once every couple months. I do drink when I go out, but that is usually just every other weekend. I had a habit of smoking clove cigs when I go out and to concerts, but I'm done with those. Weed happens every now and then, again, I would say once or twice every couple months.

I subscribe to the theory that almost everything is fine in moderation. As long as it's not heroin or something like that.....

rumours are a defiant way of losing ones control over ones personal direction... if you dont know, dont know with verve... leave the teaching story alone if you dont know the story

7e7e7 said:

what drugs are you taking?

living a clean life really doesn't guarantee anything anymore. just standing in the wrong place at the wrong time can get you killed. drug abusers might be more likely to be in bad situations, but a drug dealer is more likely to get killed first. smokers might get lung cancer, but a lot of females might get breast cancer. there's a wino around my mom's neighborhood who has been drinking whisky out the bottle since at least 1975 ( i remember him when i was a kid)..he's survived a lot longer than a lot of people that i know.

I don't drink, smoke or do any drugs.

VoicesCarry said:

same here

missmad said:

i thought all prince fans were chain smoking, alcoholic junkies (or at least 2 out of 3)

Reincarnate said:

naturally high, eat health food prefferably kosher or halal

meltwithu said:

hahahaha thanks babe!

7e7e7 said:

high on life? I like your answer

meltwithu said:

very true - genetics also seems to play a big role.

meltwithu said:

with this is mind, adding drugs to the equation just makes life more difficult. people who use drugs constantly have little thought for their future or even next week, usually. and often little consideration for others, or how they might come across to the non-drug-using majority, as well.

I went through that phase of my life as well and for the most part, it's long behind me. I wasn't so much rebelling from strict parents (as my parents weren't really strict at all) but maybe rebelling against myself a little. My whole life I was told I was mature for my age, I got straight A's in school, in all the honors classes, etc, and I just wanted to check something else out for a while. I was sick of being 'mature'.
I did the whole drug and drink thing in phases from about age 17 to about 26. Never heavy into anything, just experimenting from time to time. By my mid 20's I'd take E or do coke maybe once a year or so. When the come down got unbearable (not worth the high), I quit whatever it was I couldn't take anymore, acid, meth, coke, E, etc. It's been years since I touched anything illegal.
I don't know I was so much on a self-destruct mission as being a bit of a party girl. I watched a lot of people get messed up on drugs around me and somehow I just knew I wouldn't let that happen to myself. I was having too much fun.
I still like a good party now and again and I still love to get dolled up and go out dancing, but I drink way less than I used to. I still smoke cigarettes, but I've been working myself up to quit. I think this year's my year!
And while I'm not exactly where I would like to be in life (and having fun all of the days certainly contributed to not being where I want to be) I have no regrets. I had a hell of a time

In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes
-- Benjamin Franklin

i've had my sloppy drunk rip-roarin' daredevil bender days, but there comes a point where it's not cute or clever anymore and if ya keep it up, you just look like a gross old pathetic drunk. i'm glad i had my trainwreck days, but i'm also glad i grew out of them...mostly.

Anxiety said:

I like to have a beer or two when I go out... which is hardly ever..... (kids )

Self-destruct.

Self-destruct. At the moment badly.

I'm going to give up this year. (I'm going to try)

LleeLlee said:

Me too. Good thing, LleeLlee.

LleeLlee said:

hellraiser!

Reincarnate said:

Quit smoking about a month ago, drink very moderately and no drugs here (did smoke some weed and hash in high school).

I think people who get lost in drugs and/or alcohol are looking for escape, rather than tackling their problems head-on (always a mistake). As for smoking, I think most people start in their teens and it's usually a peer-pressure thing. Unfortunately, once you start, it's very hard to quit. Doesn't mean it can't be done, though (I am living proof of that).

CarrieMpls said:

Here's some help: smoking will prematurely age your skin.

CarrieMpls said:

I agree with you there. I wouldn't change what I've done but I'm so glad I've not become addicted to drink or drugs.

As for smoking - Ace well done! I gave up 5 years ago and it's one of my best achievements. Good luck LleeLlee!

Thanks for the encouragement guys, it's dealing with the cravings i am not looking forward to.

Anxiety, i am a polite hellraiser dear.

I live pretty clean. I eat very healthy (no sugar), drink lots of water (no soda), exercise, have regular doctor check ups and have my teeth cleaned every 3 months, but I have a few vices. After a year of being cigarette and pot free, I've been smoking for 5 months. But those days are numbered, I'm quiting (again) for New Years.

Won't be giving up the whisky or pills... I love me some Canadian Club and my prescriptions! I get Vicodin ES and Valium and covet them dearly. The best drugs around are the ones from the pharmacy! Everytown, USA has a doctor feel good.

Vicodin, a hydrocodone pain pill, gives me busy energy. I love to cook, clean, iron or wrap xmas presents - ya know anything but sit still- BUSY WORK! In my gay disco days I'd hit the clubs on 2 or 3 pills and dance all night long. I've experinced my last 3 Prince concerts on codeine. I also love to go shopping on codeine. Stop in at a resturant bar and have a Manhattan to kick it in, then go to Neiman Marcus and drool over the women's shoes.

Valium on the other hand is a tranquilizer. I take half a yellow and don't want to do anything but be cozy in front of the fire smoking cigarettes and pot and watching 1930s Hollywood glamour movies. I'll take it at work occasionally becasue it does help you deal but it makes me so sleepy that I really think twice before I decide to take it. I'd take a fist full of Vicodin to go to a Prince concert but never a Valium. It's heavy, but if you're really having a freak fit Valium will smooth you out. I like to drink champagne with Valium or grapefruit juice- which it says on the bottle not to because it intensifies the drugs effect. Hey thanks for the tip!

I know these are habit-forming but my doctor keeps me in check. He gives me 30 of each with one refill which lasts me about 4 months and then I'll have to see him before he'll refill it. And he knows me well and I hit him up before vacations, birthdays, and xmas! I have called before for refills and have been refused- he refilled my codeine cough syrup 3 times before cutting me off. We were drinking that in shot glasses on my birthday. I love Endal but you have to have a cough to get that.


I'll share this with my online friends but just as soon as your reality life friends find out you have pills your phone starts ringing off the hook. Besides Drew only one friend knows this and that's because we trade pills. She gets fiorinal with codeine, which I love, and Lorcet, which is the same as Vicodin, I just prefer the Vicodin brand.

CynthiasSocks said:

So basically you're clean living apart from the prescription drug abuse thing?

Reincarnate said:

That's it!