Why do people take drugs?

NIMAN

After watching a news report tonight about some new drug that's apparently started killing Britons, after it took Prince and loads of other Americans, the question popped into my head, "why take drugs at all".

We have all seen more documentaries than we can remember showing how much damage they do, and I'm still waiting to hear the story of that person whose life got better through the use of hard drugs, so why bother starting? Are people that stupid that they think it's going to end well?

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Harry Palmr

Curious fools with little or no self control for the most part. lazy feckless wasters fueling murderous criminal empires

what? :mad:

Insect Overlord

To get to the other side.

Fr_Dougal

Because heroin tickles.

Tom Mann Centuria

NIMAN wrote: »

After watching a news report tonight about some new drug that's apparently started killing Britons, after it took Prince and loads of other Americans, the question popped into my head, "why take drugs at all".

We have all seen more documentaries than we can remember showing how much damage they do, and I'm still waiting to hear the story of that person whose life got better through the use of hard drugs, so why bother starting? Are people that stupid that they think it's going to end well?

I'm sure I've read of creative people becoming much more creative whilst on drugs, so they may feel their life is better as a result of taking drugs.

It's unlikely there are many feelgood stories regarding longterm taking drugs, but its even more unlikely we'd hear about them even if there were, since the standpoint of society is drugs are bad mkay.

Arghus

Because, sometimes, they can be fun.

IamtheWalrus

Based on nothing but a hunch, I believe anyone taking drugs regularly over the age of 30 is to handle poor mental health.

Same as anyone who is regularly drunk.

Shpudnik

I've never taken drugs but from what I told they seek to be an escape from problems.

batistuta9

you have a good time on them. it's as simple as that

Atlantic Dawn

There's likely 2 types...
Type 1 - Someone looking for something with a little more kick than alcohol and will give anything a go once but eventually they get hooked and are dependant on it.
Type 2 - Hooked on anything to give a buzz, will try anything and if it's cheap will try it often.

Because drugs (well, party drugs) can give you a pretty surreal experience of euphoria that is difficult to experience through legal means, or sex, or much less, through the likes of mindfulness.

It's hedonism, pure and simple. Delicious, enrapturing, joyous, dizzying hedonism

Agent Coulson

I blame Fine Gael.

begbysback

Because they're prescribed and the doctor told me to

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

NIMAN wrote: »

After watching a news report tonight about some new drug that's apparently started killing Britons, after it took Prince and loads of other Americans, the question popped into my head, "why take drugs at all".

We have all seen more documentaries than we can remember showing how much damage they do, and I'm still waiting to hear the story of that person whose life got better through the use of hard drugs, so why bother starting? Are people that stupid that they think it's going to end well?

Well, whcih drugs, for a start?

Are you talking pharameutical drugs? To recover from illness.
Everyday drinking drugs like caffiene and alcohol? To create a specific mental state such as allertness or relaxation.
Psychedleics such as LSD or mushrooms? To obtain a more enlightened view of the world and your place within it. Also, awesome ****ing visuals.
Emphaty drugs such as MDMA or ecstacy? To find it easier to relate to people and as antidepressants; specifically in social settings. They're very good at tearing down barriers such as shyness or lack of confidence.

Answer your question...?

IamtheWalrus

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

Well, whcih drugs, for a start?

Are you talking pharameutical drugs? To recover from illness.
Everyday drinking drugs like caffiene and alcohol? To create a specific mental state such as allertness or relaxation.
Psychedleics such as LSD or mushrooms? To obtain a more enlightened view of the world and your place within it. Also, awesome ****ing visuals.
Emphaty drugs such as MDMA or ecstacy? To find it easier to relate to people and as antidepressants; specifically in social settings. They're very good at tearing down barriers such as shyness or lack of confidence.

Answer your question...?

Bit of a pompous reply, no?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

IamtheWalrus wrote: »

Bit of a pompous reply, no?

Maybe. But the question came across as being pompous, too. But it was asked and it was answered. I could go into a lot more detail, but to just ask about "drugs" is far too vague and a bit niave.

GerryDerpy

I have never thought about a single worry while on drugs.

DontThankMe

Drugs are great.

Why do not take drugs OP?

Jim Bob Scratcher

Because they have to pay for RTE or otherwise face prison.

YourSuperior

Often, for some people happiness is beyond reach. In daily life fulfilment is not found so escaping it is the next best thing. For all this talk of progress, societies cannot admit the normal unhappiness of life. So there must be a war on those seeking an artificial happiness in drugs. And it won't ever end - this pleasure seeking. It's a war the authoritarians keep losing.

KKkitty

When I was younger I did drugs. I wasn't in a good mental state at the time and drank too much and if I was offered them I took them. I used them because I wasn't happy and the drugs gave me a euphoria I hadn't experienced before so I used them more than I should.

The Backwards Man

Townies trying to replicate the primeval euphoria of getting the turf home or the spuds gathered.


There's a reason you never see bogmen chewing yokes

Robsweezie

never taken them...i can only guess.

escapism. job pissing you off. bills piling up. family/marriage problems giving you hassle. broke up with your partner. coke, heroin, lsd etc are a temporary release, like drink. nothing really matters when you're pissed, does it? the point is too get completely out of your mind because there's so much going on inside it. too feel nothing, or feel everything.

id agree that it used to drown out mental health problems. i think for a depressive, drink and drugs would be a crutch, and even when its not necessarily depression, sometimes its all about filling a void in their life. if they cant get it from exercise, food or something else, it'll be drugs. we all have our vices, no?

2forjoy

Like 25 years ago I started smoking cos most of my friends in school were smoking . It was cool at the time
Drugs nowadays are similar . Its a social thingy .

YourSuperior

YourSuperior wrote: »

Often, for some people happiness is beyond reach. In daily life fulfilment is not found so escaping it is the next best thing. For all this talk of progress, societies cannot admit the normal unhappiness of life. So there must be a war on those seeking an artificial happiness in drugs. And it won't ever end - this pleasure seeking. It's a war the authoritarian's keep losing.

I think that's a good point, the only thing I'd be wary of is correlating drug-taking with escapism.

I don't want to escape from my life. I'm a happy, well adjusted 30-year-old who loves his mum and smiles at babies on the bus. It has nothing to do with unhappiness, it's just that psychedelic and euphoric drugs are a ladder to a new experience of the world that is otherwise unattainable.

For sure, plenty of people who use recreational drugs are suffering in some way. This probably applies to opiates in particular.

But many people just really bloody enjoy them, without needing to fill gaps in our lives.

Django99

Mainly because they realease chemicals like dopamine and seretonin into the brain which are the chemicals that make a person feel happy and feel pleasure/euphoria.

The majority of recreational drug users do so with little enough impact on their lives, for short periods or very occasionally. Even harder drugs like heroin, cocaine etc a lot of people actually use these and still have perfectly normal lives, you just don't see it because, well, they lead perfectly normal lives.

Most of the negative issues regarding drugs arise from their prohibition, and even the problems which aren't caused by prohibition are made much worse because of it.

donegaLroad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao8L-0nSYzg

YourSuperior

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

I think that's a good point, the only thing I'd be wary of is correlating drug-taking with escapism.

I don't want to escape from my life. I'm a happy, well adjusted 30-year-old who loves his mum and smiles at babies on the bus. It has nothing to do with unhappiness, it's just that psychedelic and euphoric drugs are a ladder to a new experience of the world that is otherwise unattainable.

For sure, plenty of people who use recreational drugs are suffering in some way. This probably applies to opiates in particular.

But many people just really bloody enjoy them, without needing to fill gaps in our lives.

I just wonder sometimes about the psychotic, frantic clampdown on drugs like cannabis. It's a farce. Sure, folks can use them for many reasons, I'm just reminded about places like the Philippines, or just poverty generally and the harder stuff.

Will I Am Not

Why do people drink, go bungee jumping, parachute, meditate, get on a rollercoaster?

We all like to feel different to what we feel every minute of every day if we don't do anything else.

Junkyard Tom

The problem with heroin is that it's very moreish.
Harry Hill.

donegaLroad

donegaLroad wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao8L-0nSYzg

Great video and ... forgive my cynicism! But that's so neatly and so intuitively appealing that I'd seriously wonder about the contemporary scholarly evidence behind it.

It would be great if anyone with a scientific background or an active interest in this area had some reading suggestions.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

IamtheWalrus wrote: »

Based on nothing but a hunch, I believe anyone taking drugs regularly over the age of 30 is to handle poor mental health.

Same as anyone who is regularly drunk.

29? Grand, pop all the pills you want. 31? You need to see a psychiatrist...

The Backwards Man wrote: »

There's a reason you never see bogmen chewing yokes

Drugs are everywhere. Your idea of it being a city problem is incorrect.

con___manx1

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Curious fools with little or no self control for the most part. lazy feckless wasters fueling murderous criminal empires

what? :mad:

You forgot about the people that have had it really hard and don't give a **** if they live or die.
They do it for a momentary escape. Its the same for some alcoholics and even some gambling addicts.

Arghus

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

I think that's a good point, the only thing I'd be wary of is correlating drug-taking with escapism.

I don't want to escape from my life. I'm a happy, well adjusted 30-year-old who loves his mum and smiles at babies on the bus. It has nothing to do with unhappiness, it's just that psychedelic and euphoric drugs are a ladder to a new experience of the world that is otherwise unattainable.

For sure, plenty of people who use recreational drugs are suffering in some way. This probably applies to opiates in particular.

But many people just really bloody enjoy them, without needing to fill gaps in our lives.

Yeah, I agree with this. I know perfectly well adjusted and happy people who take drugs regularly and semi-regularly because they like the experience - not because they are trying to get away from some deep dark pain.

For years I stayed away from pills because I was always afraid of what effect they might have on me, but then, eventually, the time came when I couldn't say no any longer and, yeah, I can totally understand why people take E and MDMA. I use those kind of drugs very, very infrequently, but in the right circumstances, with the right people, I think they can be pretty damn good.

Arghus

Arghus wrote: »

Yeah, I agree with this. I know perfectly well adjusted and happy people who take drugs regularly and semi-regularly because they like the experience - not because they are trying to get away from some deep dark pain.

For years I stayed away from pills because I was always afraid of what effect they might have on me, but then, eventually, the time came when I couldn't say no any longer and, yeah, I can totally understand why people take E and MDMA. I use those kind of drugs very, very infrequently, but in the right circumstances, with the right people, I think they can be pretty damn good.

Same here

I grew up believing that a pill was likely to kill me, or inexplicably put me in debt to some nefarious drug pusher. Like yourself, I'd only occasionally use them, only in the right circumstances, and also usually sourcing them from the same person.

I'm not even sure about whether I'd want them legalised, I think a lot of recreational users of drugs are in ourselves divided. I have no interest in marijuana, for example, and I'd be a lot more wary of it than of 'party pills'.

I guess my bottom line is that recreational drug-users don't fit into near categories, but come from all walks of life, many of whom have no mental health problems, and have diverse policy opinions too.

Junkyard Tom

Annalee Vast Graveyard wrote: »

Drugs are everywhere. Your idea of it being a city problem is incorrect.

I'd say those mountain men would have little problem getting you a bottle of Poitin - a very potent illegal drug.

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

But that's so neatly and so intuitively appealing that I'd seriously wonder about the contemporary scholarly evidence behind it.

You might have saw this one before which is very neatly appealing too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmnzIhbX2bg

Junkyard Tom

Junkyard Tom wrote: »

You might have saw this one before which is very neatly appealing too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmnzIhbX2bg

It must be the latent alcoholic inside me, I couldnt help but feel sorry for that monkey who spilled both his drinks. Probably just as the bar was closing too.

Poor little fella :-(

The Backwards Man

Junkyard Tom wrote: »

I'd say those mountain men would have little problem getting you a bottle of Poitin - a very potent illegal drug.



[/YOUTUBE]

Pneumonia medicine for calves

Any druggies we have around here were corrupted by city folk and their fancy ways.

I remember years ago we had a famous snooker player (who may or may not have ever won a World Snooker Championship) play an exhibition match. One of the bouncers came in to the elderly owner in the bar

'That yahoo is after asking me for coke' says he
'Sure we sell plenty of it' says she
'No no, he wants to put it up his nose' says he
'Well give him a straw' says she:pac:

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

IamtheWalrus wrote: »

Based on nothing but a hunch, I believe anyone taking drugs regularly over the age of 30 is to handle poor mental health.

Same as anyone who is regularly drunk.

And you said my post was pompous...?!

magentis

For the crack.

cbyrd

Cos something hurts...

greenflash

Because dance music is sh1te without them.

donegaLroad

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Great video and ... forgive my cynicism! But that's so neatly and so intuitively appealing that I'd seriously wonder about the contemporary scholarly evidence behind it.

It would be great if anyone with a scientific background or an active interest in this area had some reading suggestions.

hi, if you go to the youtube link, and go to 'show more' there is a lot of information there for further reading

KKkitty

Whatever you think about people that take drugs, it's not a class thing. All walks of life have taken them for different reasons. I took them because I didn't care about myself at the time. A rich person could take them because they're able to get them when they want. Drugs give you something you've never experienced before. With hash it's just being mellow, a bit chatty and then you're sleepy. Cocaine or speed you're happy and want to stay up and interact with everyone and anyone. Ecstasy you want to stay awake pretty much all night long and dance like no one is watching. They loosen your inhibitions. You're not you when you take them. That's the desired effect. You're escaping from reality when you do drugs.

Skatedude

So, this thread in a summery? I dont do drugs ,but they must be bad.

Or, It's in the news that this new drug is very bad ( begins with a f) it's a pain medication that has been used for decades to help countless people, but is suddenly bad because we say so?

Er, it a pharmaceutical drug used by doctors and hospitals, THEY ARE ALL BAD IF YOU ABUSE THEM.


FFS, use your brain to think.

D3V!L

The cool kids told me to take them

myshirt

Cos, like, the media man.

Wibbs

Damn near every society on earth throughout history has taken drugs to some degree or other. It seems to be a part of us. Some have even suggested that the seemingly overnight burst of creativity in our species(circa 40,000 years back) that directly led to who we are today had drugs playing a large part.

We seem as a species to be very much attracted to seeking out altered mental states and drugs are one of the easiest gateways to that. Others would be approaches like meditation, even physical exertion to the point(and sometimes beyond) of exhaustion. EG exercise highs all the way to hanging by hooks in your boobs in a sweat lodge.

Of the people reading this very few don't or haven't taken drugs or sought out such experiences. "well I don't take drugs!". Enjoying your cup of espresso?

Doctor Nick

I took heroin when I was at an extremely low point in my life. Severely depressed, recession, fear of the future as a result of job security, debts, family making life hell, partner doing same. Eventually got let go. Felt I couldn't go any lower. So wanted an escape from what I believed was a vile life and existence. And heroin delivered. First time I even thought to myself there's no going back after this. But it gave me what I wanted, complete oblivion and more. But sooner rather than later it started to take more from me. Slowly wearing me down till everything was gone.

Ended the usual way, hooked, homeless, alone even more than before. Became somebody I truly hated. So I used more. Used to think how have I become this. Educated to degree level. High five figure salary at one point.

Eventually I got sense. Kept away from people. Did a detox. Clean 2 years now. Best years of my life. Genuinely happy. No more misery. Friends want me in their lives, same with family. I run if I see anyone I knew from that life. So it can be done.

topper75

Doctor Nick wrote: »

I took heroin when I was at an extremely low point in my life. Severely depressed, recession, fear of the future as a result of job security, debts, family making life hell, partner doing same. Eventually got let go. Felt I couldn't go any lower. So wanted an escape from what I believed was a vile life and existence. And heroin delivered. First time I even thought to myself there's no going back after this. But it gave me what I wanted, complete oblivion and more. But sooner rather than later it started to take more from me. Slowly wearing me down till everything was gone.

Ended the usual way, hooked, homeless, alone even more than before. Became somebody I truly hated. So I used more. Used to think how have I become this. Educated to degree level. High five figure salary at one point.

Eventually I got sense. Kept away from people. Did a detox. Clean 2 years now. Best years of my life. Genuinely happy. No more misery. Friends want me in their lives, same with family. I run if I see anyone I knew from that life. So it can be done.

Very frank. Certainly not the average account. Every thought about a book - or some way or recording and sharing to help others?