Lady Codone
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2008
- Messages
- 2,134
Most anti-drug propagandists would have us believe that drug use inevitably leads to addiction, though this is NOT the case...even with harder drugs. There are three main categories into which most drug afficianados fit--user, abuser and addict.
Drug USERS take drugs to enhance their lives, not to escape them. They use in moderation (usually socially) and have no problem turning down drugs if they're not in the mood to use. They may use drugs on and off throughout their lives or give them up over time, but never become addicted.
Drug ABUSERS use drugs to cope with the undesirable parts of life, to numb out or to "get wasted". They often take dangerously high doses of drugs and do irresponsible things like driving while severely intoxicated or getting into drug-induced fights. They're not yet addicts but risk addiction and other problems if they don't change these behaviors. (The alcohol-related equivalents would be "binge drinkers" and "problem drinkers").
Drug ADDICTS are physically and mentally dependent on their drug(s) of choice. They choose drugs over food, family and other necessities and often neglect their health/appearance because of drugs. They have little or no concern for their own safety when using and may take dangerous risks in the name of getting high. Most long-term addicts end up losing the things that were once important to them, like jobs, money, friends, etc, though this is not always the case.
So which one are you and why? Do you think it's possible to remain a "user" with any substance, or are some so destructive that they always lead to addiction? Also, what are your drugs of choice and what do you do to prevent progressing to addiction (assuming you're not already an addict)?
Drug USERS take drugs to enhance their lives, not to escape them. They use in moderation (usually socially) and have no problem turning down drugs if they're not in the mood to use. They may use drugs on and off throughout their lives or give them up over time, but never become addicted.
Drug ABUSERS use drugs to cope with the undesirable parts of life, to numb out or to "get wasted". They often take dangerously high doses of drugs and do irresponsible things like driving while severely intoxicated or getting into drug-induced fights. They're not yet addicts but risk addiction and other problems if they don't change these behaviors. (The alcohol-related equivalents would be "binge drinkers" and "problem drinkers").
Drug ADDICTS are physically and mentally dependent on their drug(s) of choice. They choose drugs over food, family and other necessities and often neglect their health/appearance because of drugs. They have little or no concern for their own safety when using and may take dangerous risks in the name of getting high. Most long-term addicts end up losing the things that were once important to them, like jobs, money, friends, etc, though this is not always the case.
So which one are you and why? Do you think it's possible to remain a "user" with any substance, or are some so destructive that they always lead to addiction? Also, what are your drugs of choice and what do you do to prevent progressing to addiction (assuming you're not already an addict)?
