anyone sober?

[devilot]

I don't want to offend anyone:

I don't understand people who purposely avoid drinking all their life. I know it's not the natural thing to do. <snip>

I think that if you avoid alcohol at all costs, your going to avoid places in which alcohol is available, which is usually places where you can meet people. So, you end up staying home, typing away on your mac, because all your freinds are out having a good time.

Not everyone is as extreme as the people you've mentioned... I mentioned my friend who is still able to go to bars w/ us w/out partaking of alcohol. And while everyone has the potential to become addicted to a substance, what my previous post (a bit back) was referring to is a real threat-- a genetic pre-disposition for diagnosed substance abuse/addiction. These people are wise to avoid a potentially fatal or just life-altering illness... because it is classified as a disorder, an illness. A very real chemical and emotional dependence on a substance.

 

[ohcrap]

I don't want to offend anyone:

I don't understand people who purposely avoid drinking all their life. I know it's not the natural thing to do. This person has had to fight a lot of temptation, and spend a lot of friday and saturday nights at home. There is nothing wrong with going out and having a drink, just keep everything in moderation. You control what you do, your not going to get hammered by having a sip of alcohol. Relax, have some fun, enjoy life. Just don't over do it, that's all.

I think that if you avoid alcohol at all costs, your going to avoid places in which alcohol is available, which is usually places where you can meet people. So, you end up staying home, typing away on your mac, because all your freinds are out having a good time.

I had a mormon freind in Highschool, now we are in college. He would get mad at me, and anyone else in my class if I brought coffee to class one day. He wouldn't even want to get near it, and would make weird remarks. He held a grudge against anyone who did these types of things, drinking, coffee, even pop was apparently a bad thing. So, he spent his life playing Xbox, always looking for an alternative activity. Not many people joined him...

Despite what you seem to think, just because a person doesn't drink doesn't mean that he/she stays at home every Friday and Saturday night. I go out and do just as much as the next guy, but I don't drink when I'm out.

And also, there's a difference between not ever drinking at all and avoiding alcohol. Does someone who never takes the bus and sees no reason to avoiding buses? Not necessarily. There is nothing wrong with "riding the bus" and I know that, it's just not for me, and I know that as well. I still go to every social event that interests me like anyone else does.

 

[efoto]

I don't understand people who purposely avoid drinking all their life. I know it's not the natural thing to do. This person has had to fight a lot of temptation, and spend a lot of friday and saturday nights at home. There is nothing wrong with going out and having a drink, just keep everything in moderation. You control what you do, your not going to get hammered by having a sip of alcohol. Relax, have some fun, enjoy life. Just don't over do it, that's all.

You might think this contradicts my previous post but I would argue otherwise, but here goes. I think that if someone wants to avoid it, fine for them because neither smoking nor drinking (save for that glass of wine) is good for you. They are both mind/body altering devices that are taken for pleasure and offer no actual health benefit.

The question I was posing was why people avoid it. If they have a strong genetic predisposition to a substance, it is probably smarter to avoid it, but if they are doing it just to be the anti-cool cool kid, well then they can go **** off because that is just plain annoying. I like it when people actually look inside themselves for an answer instead of looking to society for the most socially acceptable answer. If you believe drinking is not for you or you tried and don't prefer, then great and more power to you. It just takes someone to be themselves, that is all I am asking....not so much really.

 

[killuminati]

Someone asked what blaze means. It just means to smoke pot.

Example: Lets go blaze. I am blazed. We are blazing.

 

[7254278]

Well im only 16. I drink on occasion usually mojitos or havana club and coke and the occasional beer, Ive been drunk 1 or 2 but I didnt really enjoy it so I dont aim for being drunk.
Pot is the only drug Ive done apart from mushrooms which I tried once and kinda freaked me out. I was prolly a "pothead" for 8 months, I love getting high but I recently had a bad experience, I basically smoked to much and freaked the FU*K out! I just hated the feeling I got it was like spacing out and forgeting what happened 5 mins ago. Since then I stoped smoking weed. 4 weeks now and going strong, I'll be honest it is really hard since most of my friends do it and some of them who only started getting into it act like its the coolest thing in the world which I think is pathetic. I quit and dont plan on restarting. I do however smoke cigs, bought half a pack a day.

BTW Killuminati, Biggie for life!

 

[mactastic]

Well at least we know how to conjugate the word 'blaze' now! Well done!

And with all due respect to the sober and the recovering people that I know, that wasn't meant for me. Lordy have I used and been around piles of illegal substances. All shapes and sizes. Bought, sold, and traded. Spent many a weekend camping and seeing funny things and waiting for the sun to come up. Bon Temps. And lets not forget the jugs of cheap booze. Or the pills before going to see punk shows so the mosh pit didn't hurt till the next day. Or the time we made a gravity bong to use in the apartment complex pool.

Now I'm just into good beer, good wine, great tequilla, and the occasional reefer. Not going down the psychedelic road again anytime soon and certainly not playing with any powders anymore, nor the other random plants/chemical extracts/ gasses.

As Chef says "There's a time and a place for everything children, and it's called college." Pushing the boundaries is normal when your young. Sure I probably pushed them pretty darn far, which isn't for everyone.

 

[Blue Velvet]

My wilder days are definitely long behind me -- there's very little I haven't indulged in and that includes heroin, coke, various pills, acid etc.

But now, a couple of glasses of wine and I'm ready to be tucked up in bed. Still enjoy the occasional joint, though... maybe 6-8 times a year.

Am definitely enjoying a more sharply focussed and healthier life at the moment -- haven't got the stamina I used to have but I also have increased professional responsibilties which a drug habit doesn't lend itself to at all... shame, because it's right now when I can most financially afford it.

 

[joepunk]

I like to have drinks every now and then. Especially after a hot/muggy day or I just need to relax after a hectic day at Uni. I have never smoked cigs nor will I ever since a certain member of my family died through cigs.

I had a friend in H.S. who said that he was allergic to alcohol and if he ever had a sip, he would die

 

[dops7107]

I just don't see drugs (or sex) as a moral issue at all - only a health issue. As long as I don't endanger my health it's all good.

I'd agree that the health issue is most important; but I see an ethical issue about drugs that no one seems to touch upon. It's all very well saying "I'm under control" with regards to taking drugs - and it may well be true - but the impact it has on criminality is substantial. I'm not talking heroin addicts here - I mean the casual pot smokers, cocaine hits at the weekend etc. Much of this is produced in corrupt, under-developed countries where the major trade is in illegal drugs. To cut it short, drug-taking promotes illegal practices including money laundering, corruption and of course petty crime. It is selfish to take drugs for this reason, I believe.

As for me: I'll drink socially, and sometimes a bit too much, but I suffer badly from hangovers so I don't go crazy. I don't smoke, but have tried it; I don't smoke weed, but have tried it; and the only harder thing I have tried is 'shrooms (before they were made illegal!). heheh, to be honest I rather enjoyed myself!

 

[Blue Velvet]

To cut it short, drug-taking promotes illegal practices including money laundering, corruption and of course petty crime. It is selfish to take drugs for this reason, I believe.

This is clearly a result of policies that criminalise drug use -- same thing happened in the US during prohibition. However, perhaps this is a subject for another thread in another forum.

 

[Nanda Devi]

I grew up around drinking. My parents always had (and still have) their daily "cocktail hour" after work. They come home around 6:00 and have a martini, then sometimes a glass of wine or something with dinner. On the weekends they drink a bit more. Would probably seem excessive by some people's definition, but they never ever get out of hand (especially my dad, you can really barely tell when he's had anything to drink, even if it's been quite a few), and as a result I grew up viewing drinking as a natural, normal, even positive thing to do.

I drink moderately myself now, but I definitely don't do the nightly "cocktail hour" thing because I'm at the gym till 8:00 most nights and don't feel like drinking when I get done working out. So I drink on Friday and Saturday evenings -- couple of cocktails and my boyfriend and I split a bottle of vino over dinner. I admit I do really enjoy it -- the feeling of a nice mellow buzz and the taste of good wine, beer and spirits -- and it would probably take a bit of willpower to not drink a drop for a weekend. However, 5 days a week I avoid it completely, mainly for health reasons. Again, as many people have already said on this thread, moderation is the key.

Anyway, that's my take on it. If you choose not to drink, that's entirely your perogotive. I'm not going to condemn or congratulate you on it... it's simply your decision.

ND

 

[iJon]

Ah drugs, what can I say. They are too much fun. I've learned this past year that many drugs can be taken with proper procedures and common sense and one can have a blast. Probably some of my fondest memories are with my friends and "drugs" just kicking back and having a blast. Whether it be alcohol, pot, lsd, mdma.

It's all just fun. Am I sad in life, and I missing something, hell no. I am full filling my life. I have a wonderful job, doing excellent in school, doing all the things I want, traveling the world and still have so much to do.

Like another user posted, I would like to know the reasons why others choose not to do drugs who aren't religious and what not. Not that I am trying to convince them to do them, I'm just curious in a way. I used to think the drug scene was real bad news, turned out to just be quite a few of my friends just looking to have some new fun in their life. Hasn't ruined them yet.

But like everything else in this world, it isn't for anyone.

jon

 

[frances]

my friends is throwing a party this weekend and I think I'm gonna be wasted again.

 

[efoto]

Ah drugs, what can I say. They are too much fun. I've learned this past year that many drugs can be taken with proper procedures and common sense and one can have a blast. Probably some of my fondest memories are with my friends and "drugs" just kicking back and having a blast. Whether it be alcohol, pot, lsd, mdma.

It's all just fun. Am I sad in life, and I missing something, hell no. I am full filling my life. I have a wonderful job, doing excellent in school, doing all the things I want, traveling the world and still have so much to do.

Like another user posted, I would like to know the reasons why others choose not to do drugs who aren't religious and what not. Not that I am trying to convince them to do them, I'm just curious in a way. I used to think the drug scene was real bad news, turned out to just be quite a few of my friends just looking to have some new fun in their life. Hasn't ruined them yet.

But like everything else in this world, it isn't for anyone.

jon

Just reading over this post I wanted to make clear that I wasn't trying to convince anyone to try/start drinking/smoking/drugs/sex/wild orgies /etc, I was just curious as to your reasoning for avoiding it. To each his own, I don't think judgments will fly, but it will be enlightening for me because I only have a couple of viewpoints.

 

[iGary]

Hmmm.


I go months without a drink, and then I decide to go into a Napa Valley tasting spree for a couple of months...

Honestly I rarely drink. an average of maybe 6-8 bottles of wine a year.

Drugs?

I've been known to take a Xanax when the going gets tough, but again, rarely.

 

[darkwing]

P.S. I have a friend who (my age - 42) still brags about his pot-smoking, and how cool he is because he gets away with it. You'll all be glad to know he's a man of the cloth. No drug tests in that profession!

I am not sure what God would think about pot smoking. He probably wouldn't care. Boundaries placed on us by society aren't always based on religion.

I love your avatar, btw. Bloo is the man.

 

[darkwing]

Drinking is a part of my family. We all love good alcohol. I have drank pretty much everything from wine to everclear (grain-alcohol).

Do I drink to to get smashed...yes.
Do I drink to have a good time...yes.
Do I not drink and have a good time...yes.

Alcohol is like any other substance, moderation is key...mostly

Everything in moderation, even moderation?

 

[darkwing]

Well said, efoto. I suppose you are right, alcohol and other substances are not innately bad, but rather the use or misuse of these substances that is bad.

This is a good point. Plenty of my friends drink and they are responsible. I've been called a couple times to pick someone up because they couldn't stay there and didn't want to drive home. It's like guns, really. They're only as bad as the person using them.

 

[darkwing]

I had Ritilian when I was kid.

Parents thought I seriously needed help. Then they were horrified when they went to the school to giv the office my "medication" only to see a tackle box filled with pill bottles.

From then on I think I was considered normal by them, because I was off the pill in a year or so.

I took Ritalin, then Cylert. I was too energetic and I would always run around and talk loudly and had a problem paying attention in school. Is that not a normal little boy?

 

[darkwing]

Despite what you seem to think, just because a person doesn't drink doesn't mean that he/she stays at home every Friday and Saturday night. I go out and do just as much as the next guy, but I don't drink when I'm out.

And also, there's a difference between not ever drinking at all and avoiding alcohol. Does someone who never takes the bus and sees no reason to avoiding buses? Not necessarily. There is nothing wrong with "riding the bus" and I know that, it's just not for me, and I know that as well. I still go to every social event that interests me like anyone else does.

Exactly! I see no reason at all to drink. I'm around it often with friends. Mind you, 20 units of a grad program and 40 hours a week of work means Friday/Saturday nights I am sleeping or studying.

 

[darkwing]

Holy crap! I had my first pint when I was about 1/3 your age! Did you spend the first 25 years of your life in a nunnery, never allowed to leave?

I just consider myself intelligent.

 

[darkwing]

This is clearly a result of policies that criminalise drug use -- same thing happened in the US during prohibition. However, perhaps this is a subject for another thread in another forum.

The difference was prohibition made something wide-spread accepted illegal. Drugs are not accepted wide-spread. If they are made legal, it's like the government condoning it. Fortunately (imho, anyway) the government still cares about morality (sans-BJs) and won't condone inappropriate things.

I agree that drug-related crime is in part a product of drug-related laws, but that doesn't mean the people committing the crimes aren't at fault.

 

[efoto]

Hmm, although your input is much appreciated darkwing, 6 posts in a row might be a little much (Edit: I stand corrected, 7 posts)

If you have a lot to say, either write a novel like some of us do (me ) or answer a few question in the same reply. You can have more than one quote in your reply, so don't shy away from that.

blah blah

Your response.

blah2 blah2

Your response2.

It bet a lot of people would appreciate it You wouldn't want people to think you are gunning for that avatar....

 

[jelloshotsrule]

Good point about caffeine. I love my diet soda. I drink a lot of caffeine free stuff, but I've been known to chug a whole bottle of diet pepsi in a day. I guess that's true about anything we eat now a days, though. Better living through chemistry.

hmm, guess you don't know much about nutrasweet and other fake sugar substitutes eh?


i am 24, don't drink, smoke, etc. don't see the point myself. but that's me

 

[Lau]

hmm, guess you don't know much about nutrasweet and other fake sugar substitutes eh?

I know, I think I'd feel better after 4 pints of beer than I would after 4 pints of diet Pepsi/Coke. Then again, with 4 pints of Pepsi, I'd be less likely to fall over. Swings and roundabouts, I guess....