Experiences of drug use -- a question

[chriswhite]

Hi guys,

I'm writing a book setting out the case for legalization of drugs. I'd like to get the views of some drug users in there – why, how, what etc.

I guess I'm essentially looking for someone to describe their experiences with drugs, and explain why they enjoy taking them.

I'd also appreciate a comment or two on this from the National Institute of Drug Abuse, which seemed a little sanctimonious to me:

“People begin using drugs for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the reasons people say they begin taking drugs, despite the fact that the best decision any person can make is to avoid them.
“Trying to feel good. Most abused drugs produce intense feelings of pleasure. This initial sensation of euphoria is followed by other effects, which differ with the type of drug used. For example, with stimulants such as cocaine, the “high” is followed by feelings of power, self-confidence, and increased energy. In contrast, the euphoria caused by opiates such as heroin is followed by feelings of relaxation and satisfaction.
“Trying to feel better. Some people who suffer from social anxiety, stress-related disorders, and depression begin abusing drugs in an attempt to lessen feelings of distress. Stress can play a major role in beginning drug use, continuing drug abuse, or relapse in patients recovering from addiction.
“Trying to do better. The increasing pressure that some individuals feel to chemically enhance or improve their athletic or cognitive performance can similarly play a role in initial experimentation and continued drug abuse.
“Feeling curious and .because others are doing it’. In this respect adolescents are particularly vulnerable because of the strong influence of peer pressure; they are more likely, for example, to engage in ‘thrilling’ and ‘daring’ behaviors.”​

Many thanks,

Chris

 

[Cane2theLeft]

As far as distilling down the immensely complex way that people who eventually become addicts are initiated into the world and practice of drug use goes, I'd say its pretty accurate.

Of course you have to consider the perspective that its a government agency that studies addiction and is going to have the disease model slant to it.

From the vast amount of people I've spoken with and my education on the subject, it seems addicts are more likely to more so place blame on the power of the drugs themselves, their circumstances, their families, their histories, etc. than accurately reflect on the way it organically developed.

The references above have kind of a DARE-esque, cliche quality to them but there is certainly a lot of truth in what's said if you can separate the slant their perspective artificially adds to the statements.

Of course, in keeping with my theme of 'considering the source'... I've never experienced addiction first-hand; its just something that I've been surrounded with throughout my life and what I've formally been studying for a couple years working towards becoming an addictions counselor.

...

Anyway, this isn't appropriate for the drugs in the media forum so I'll try it out in the Drug Culture forum. Please be sure to read the guidelines of any forum you post in and if you have any questions, just contact a staff member for help.

Also I edited out something - if you want to get feedback don't solicit the responses to be directed off-site. This is a discussion forum so unless you're looking to generate and participate in the discussion here, you should really find somewhere else to post this. As it is, you're pushing what is allowed here by saying you're going to use this for a book without any reciprocity for the site that generally occurs when BL members are asked to contribute for surveys, studies, etc.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the DC staff.


--->DC

 

[shishigami]

I first smoked marijuana in highschool during the summer because I scoured the scientific articles about use and came to the conclusion that single time use (or if it became a habit, moderate use) was not negative in the long term. I enjoyed it and have since then moved on to other drugs that I consider safe (solely psychedelics).

My initial use stemmed from curiosity but subsequent use is caused by a desire to feel good a desire to learn about myself and the world.

I dislike anti drug propaganda because it is almost solely anecdotal, relying on little science, and operates on the premise that illicit drugs are inherently bad, which is why they are illegal, a nice circular argument, and that drinking is not particularly bad for you. After realizing that the second premise was not correct and reviewing some laws I quickly turned from a neutral non-user to a pro-drug user.

It is clear to me that drug laws do more harm than good. Consider why is it that the supreme court ruled it unconstitutional for cities to ban handguns yet they can ban drugs that do not result in bodies in the morgue. The United States has the highest proportion of its citizens incarcerated, many of them for petty non-violent drug charges. It is all contradictory and ass backwards. Since I have been using drugs there have been three main changes that I see in myself: 1) I now have a severe disliking for the society of the United States, 2) I talk about drugs a lot more than before, 3) I am more in tune with my emotions.

 

[TheLoveBandit]

Historical reference

Posted to OD, moved to DS, I'm moving to TDS. That *still* might not be a proper home, but DS is not.

 

[chriswhite]

Thanks for the replies folks -- much appreciated.

And apologies for posting in the wrong forum!