Being a recreational drug user, is it hypocritical to look down at other drug users?

[naive]

you said you use weed, E, and prescriptions -- aren't E and scripts a little less... "accepted" than weed? and how smoking weed is a lot more common than taking E and prescription drugs, would it be fair for people who only smoke weed to look down on you for your E / scripts use? or for people who only drink to look down on people who smoke weed?

I personally know a couple people who drink or smoke, but look down on anyone who uses any other substance. they act like those people are addicts and lowlifes even if the drugs those people are using are relatively harmless, like rolls or acid. and its funny because they treat alcohol and herb as an escape... worst way to use any drug and fastest path to addiction...

 

[drug_mentor]

In my view you are a hypocrite, its one thing if you personally choose not to use those drugs you dislike but judging others for it is stupid. The drugs you are using are not "better" than any other drugs, you are not automatically better than anyone who chooses to use hard drugs.

What makes you the authority on which drugs are and are not acceptable to use? Weed and ecstasy are as illegal as meth and heroin, you are breaking the law as much as anyone using the drugs you dislike. Why are you somehow better?

 

[kbrad]

I find it funny that people say they don't understand why anybody would do a drug like heroin, given all we know about its dangers. Look at how many people smoke cigarettes - cigs kill millions a year, we are 1000000% sure that it WILL ruin your life if you start, and yet people still do.

The percentage of people who get "hooked" after trying heroin is wayyy lower than the percentage of people who get hooked after smoking a cig. There is more evidence to suggest that nicotine is a more addictive and more dangerous substance, and yet heroin is the black sheep that ruins lives.

Getting back to the original question, I think that it is hypocritical. I've known people who've gotten addicted to weed and MDMA, in fact I know a lot of people who would give up coke or speed before they give up weed. Looking down on a meth user ONLY because they use meth is just an elitist way of making yourself feel better, IMO.

I've never robbed anyone blind for a cigarette, nor have I spewed from all ends after quitting... but ur half right

 

[JoshuaV]

I've never robbed anyone blind for a cigarette, nor have I spewed from all ends after quitting... but ur half right

What I meant is that cigarettes will almost definitely kill you when done frequently. Heroin doesn't kill you (unless you overdose), but it can fuck up your life in a different way.

In both cases, people are doing substances that will likely have dire consequences to their future if abused. Different roads to the same place.

Also opiate withdrawals are much worse than nicotine withdrawals, definitely. But (at least statistically) people who try cigarettes are more likely to become addicted than people who try heroin. Regardless of why, that means that tobacco is more addictive (at least in the sense of what is more likely to cause the addiction in the first place, not in the sense of which addiction is harder to kick).

 

[megawoof]

in one word yes it is whats that saying those who without sin cast the first stone/those in glass houses shouldnt throw stones

 

[semigenius]

hey there, i personally love smoking weed casually taking ecstacy, and like my prescriptions.
Now, due to some personal issues i cant stand people (i know) using drugs like heroin, meth or crack
am i being a hypocrite in this situation?? btw if you use the above drugs i have no problem talking to you on BL this is just something that effects me IRL

Yeah, it is pretty hypocritical. We're all drug users. Who gets to decide which drug is better than the other? I'm not going anywhere near heroin, meth, crack, cocaine, benzos, etc. But I don't look down on those who do.

It's not hurting anyone, besides themselves, that is. If you try to rob someone for drug money, now we've got a problem. If you don't hurt or steal anyone and you smoke crack everyday, you're fine with me.

There are many people who would look down on you for using MDMA or weed. I'm sure you don't like it when you have people assuming that they're better than you just because you use drugs.


It's pretty much like looking at a homeless person and getting angry at them for being homeless. They're not doing anyone harm, so why hate them?

 

[serenafails]

I have major respect for any hard drug user who can handle their life in a normal way and still be using.
But it is hypocritical, it's still a drug,
im sure you get cravings for e sometimes

 

[Psychedelic Jay]

You do have a choice, but it's really hard to be productive life sick. It's really disabling.

 

[Benzo Guy]

i dont think its hypocritical if theres good reason behind it if you just hate them for using drugs then yes but if you hate them for being beggers or something along those lines then no

 

[mrsmokeweed]

thanks for all the responses people positive or negativ
im prescribed klons n xanax FYI
i guess maybe my situation is a bit more context wise as ive seen quite a few friends ruin their (and others) lives by introducing them to those substances
maybe i should adopt the motto dont hate the drug hate the person abusing it!

 

[dokomo]

I think that people should be judged on their behavior towards others and not what they put into their bodies.

Yeah theres pretty much a direct correlation here with things like heroin and a few other drugs.

As to the OP's question: there is a big distinction between a recreational drug user and a drug addict.

I have been a recreational user of opioids, meaning that in the past I have enjoyed opioids around once every month or two. I've never been addicted to any drug. I try to live my life by the ancient greek adage "know thyself" and because of that, it is practically impossible for my drug usage to spiral out of control.

I look down on people who are cavalier with some of the most addictive, deadly and mind-bending substances on the planet. In a way, I look down on drug addicts because they either did not know themselves well enough to limit their own usage, or they knew and just didn't care. That said, at the same time I have overwhelming compassion and empathy for drug addicts as well, because I have a deep understanding of how addiction works in the brain and body. Treating drug addiction from a medical and psychological standpoint is something I hope to do in the future.

 

[Shambles]

I'd say pretty hypocritical but also somewhat understandable. That doesn't make the hypocrisy any better but there is at least some semblance of twisted logic behind it even if it is all wrong. I guarantee that pretty much everyone in this thread - and the rest of BLand - would have looked down on me as being the lowest of the low for some of the stuff I did in the depths of addiction. I also doubt many of those people would consider me subhuman scum today now I am (sort of) free from those addictions. I am the same person now as I was then but your opinion of me would be very different - I wouldn't have been given the chance to demonstrate that no matter how awful some of my behaviour was at times I was not - and am not - a vile beast to be spat at or beaten in the street for being "junky scum". Which happened on a regular basis some years ago. Often by drunk folks stumbling home from the pub with a cig in their mouth and a wrap of coke in their pocket. Oh the irony.

 

[Levvytation]

I have major respect for any hard drug user who can handle their life in a normal way and still be using

Yep agreed. That includes alcohol, which I consider a 'hard drug' I know cos I've been there

 

[Gormur]

No. Everyone uses for their own reasons. Whether i understand their reasons or not doesn't make them any less valid than my own

 

[monstanoodle]

maybe i should adopt the motto dont hate the drug hate the person abusing it!

I don't think that's the right approach either really
Perhaps it should be:
"Don't hate the drug or the person, but maybe feel sorry for them for being in such a situation".

I wouldn't have been given the chance to demonstrate that no matter how awful some of my behaviour was at times I was not - and am not - a vile beast to be spat at or beaten in the street for being "junky scum". Which happened on a regular basis some years ago. Often by drunk folks stumbling home from the pub with a cig in their mouth and a wrap of coke in their pocket. Oh the irony

That's fucked up man So sorry this happened to you. I mean you appear to me as one of the nicest, caring and knowledgeable people on here, most willing to help people when you can and you do.
I mean I know that drugs can fuck people up, so you were still the same lovely person you are today but you'd just picked up some bad habits you needed to be rid of (not just the addiction, everything else that comes with it too).

Much wuv Shammo

 

[JoshuaV]

I don't think that's the right approach either really
Perhaps it should be:
"Don't hate the drug or the person, but maybe feel sorry for them for being in such a situation".

I was going to say something like that a couple days ago, but I couldn't fit it into words. Very well put mate =)

 

[monstanoodle]

Why thankyou Josh
It's prolly not going to be the take everyone has in such situations, but I guess you don't know how to react unless you've been through similar experiences