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readthenewsohboy

readthenewsohboy

Bluelighter
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
137
I'm sure that most people here have faced the personal dilemma of when to be honest about your drug experiences, and when to keep it hidden. However, I was wondering how you've dealt with those who you feel comfortable discussing your drug use with who are themselves not users. Do you play down your positive experiences? Your negative ones? If they say they're considering trying them, do you give them a push towards or away? What if you honestly think it'd be a good experience and you'd enjoy having it with them? What if they're your family members or significant other? The situations go on, I just want to hear what stories or insights people have to share.

Edit: I put this in PD as they are the drugs I've had most experience with and am as a result most interested in this conversation as it pertains to psychedelics. However, if this belongs elsewhere please move it :)
 
Interesting question.

I start cautiously, due to the level of anti-drug propaganda in society and the extent to which some fools believe it.

I leave myself an out. For example, I make sure when I start that I can always say "I tried smoking cannabis a few times back in college" if things begin to look hairy.

I start with cannabis, never mentioning my psychedelic use until I see how people react. If they have never used cannabis, I will probably not mention my psychedelic use, unless they seem honestly interested.

I feel that I am good at reading people, and therefore I stop talking about drugs immediately if I sense that they have some kind of strange or negative reaction.
Therefore, a few anti-drug people out there know that I have smoked cannabis, but since I am considered successful academically and socially, they (hopefully) change their opinion about cannabis more than their opinion about me.

I play down my negative experiences when talking to newbies. Once I describe my positive, life-changing experiences, though, I like to mention some difficulties I have experienced as well, so that they don't get a serious misperception.

If they sound interested in trying drugs, I generally give them a push toward, either by virtue of saying "I have tried many drugs, and I have learned a lot and enjoyed myself" or by simply showing them evidence that someone in my social position can use drugs without any obvious negative effects. (Not that my social position is THAT high, but I am a social scientist employed at a large research institution.) However, if the person seems unstable, I will push away from using drugs.

I have turned on at least 5 people who were in their 20s or 30s to cannabis using this method. I have turned two people on to mescaline-containing cactus, and one on to mushrooms, using this method. I am talking about people who have never imagined that a "good person" would use drugs, and have believed that cannabis and LSD and cocaine are all basically the same thing until I educate them. I find that saying some negative things about some drugs - such as crack and meth - tend to get them to listen more to my comments about other drugs.

One side-note about me "turning on" a reasonably large number of people: I live in Japan, where most or nearly all adults believe the incredibly stupid government propaganda about drugs (yes, stupider than that in the US or Australia, for example). Therefore, they are very surprised that I have used drugs, and they themselves have no experiences with drugs. I do not use illegal drugs while in Japan I do use those really strong drugs alcohol and caffeine), but I have had opportunities while in other countries with friends...
I also have quietly spread the word about the benefits of drugs, and my friends have used their own chances while overseas to try drugs.
 
I hide my drug use, but one thing I do not hide is my interests in the sciences surrounding drugs. Though I will back off if people are not digging it (I can sense emotions pretty well). Sometimes I gotta make sure I don't get to sciencey, as I realize some people just don't give two shits

All of the people I hang out with regularly know I do drug (whether or not they do) and they don't mind. So I am lucky I have been able to be honest with a number of people. I just wish I could be honest with my parents.

I will say though, that if someone is trying to be my friend (more than just a casual friend) they are going to have to deal with my drug use to the full extent, or well close to that. I'll let them know I do a variety of drugs, but I may not tell them about my opiate usage and the like.
 
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First of all i would never date anyone who either didn't use drugs, or at the VERY least was 100% supportive of all of my drug use and promised never to complain that i was getting high even once on pain of breaking up.

As far as acquaintances, i would love nothing more than to convince someone that not all drugs are bad. I will use facts, personal experience, and common sense thinking. But i will never push anyone to try drugs, and will never push anyone to talk about drugs. Also, if its someone whom i know i shouldn't give less of an opinion of me for job reasons or whatever, i will tread very lightly at the beginning of the conversation.

Generally the only drugs anyone should have convince people aren't bad or to try are pot and psychs anyway. Other drugs and you could potentially ruin someones life. Which i regret very much doing in the past and think about all the time, because i am the reason some people do heroin. :(
 
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Interesting and thoughtful responses guys!

I've been responsible for supplying two people with LSD(one directly, the other through a friend) who could not handle it. Fortunately, the ensuing mess wasn't too bad. I've come to the conclusion that the individual I was directly responsible for supplying had more than enough research of his own under his belt to understand the risks and he does not begrudge me.

I tend to enjoy being something of an advocate, and love to show people a mild psychedelic experience just for that "I can't believe this is illegal!" moment, but things are harrier for me when people are expressing interest in trying deeper experiences with me. I guess I just don't feel skilled at judging when people are ready, I'm a humble person and tend to think if I can handle it so can they. Recently my girlfriend has asked to try psychedelics, knowing her personally I'm certain she's ready and know she genuinely wants the experience so I'm not worried, but thinking about it prompted the question.

I'd love to hear more :)
 
When I began using drugs as a teen, I tried to really promote the lifestyle. As I got older & had kids, I pretty much stopped everything except weed & alcohol (plus the occasional line when offered!). Fast forward 20 years... kids mostly grown up... my oldest daughter talks me into going to a huge music fest... wow, very cool!

I start going to lots of shows & meeting lots of people who turn me on to the current drug culture. My new friends influenced and instructed me quite well and over the next 5 years I tried many new & exciting substances. The whole world of RC's is amazing! Anyways, I now am a bit of an advocate and I've turned on a few people to things they haven't tried. But this is only with people whom I already know smoke herb and may have an open mind.

I'd never just start up a drug conversation with someone I don't know. And as a business owner, I meet a lot of people and there's not 1 in 50 I'd consider. But in my recreational life I enjoy discussing and exploring various drugs. It's one thing reading about them, but talking with someone is another thing altogether.

Now, all that said, I have indeed had drug discussions with people my age who used drugs as teens but have been drug-free for decades. These conversations have ranged from enlightening to frustrating, and I have been getting more wary as time passes. It's a matter of knowing someone well enough that they'll respect you despite revealing a 'dirty' part of yourself. Unfortunately, far too many people are very judgmental and so I have to decide very carefully as to who I will discuss drugs with.
 
i am very overt and keep note of everything they say with a notebook in order to respond to it all

even towards the cops, maybe they do not care anyway and i am just a useful idiot. but the knowledge is already out there anyways and i'm not giving revealing anything new

and the cops around here aren't as negative, at least on youtube there's this guy who lives here who posted vids of him going up and down streets advertising the psychedelics he sells right in front of cops, giving them his cards etc
 
readthenewsohboy said:
I'm sure that most people here have faced the personal dilemma of when to be honest about your drug experiences, and when to keep it hidden. However, I was wondering how you've dealt with those who you feel comfortable discussing your drug use with who are themselves not users. Do you play down your positive experiences? Your negative ones? If they say they're considering trying them, do you give them a push towards or away? What if you honestly think it'd be a good experience and you'd enjoy having it with them? What if they're your family members or significant other? The situations go on, I just want to hear what stories or insights people have to share.

Edit: I put this in PD as they are the drugs I've had most experience with and am as a result most interested in this conversation as it pertains to psychedelics. However, if this belongs elsewhere please move it :)
Click to expand...

A UK charity, 'Release' runs a campaign "Nice people take drugs", and with that campaign comes a deck of playing cards with quotes of famous politicians that use or have used drugs. They're trying to reduce the stigma associated with drug use that way.

The Clarence Thomas card says it all: "I was smart enough to use pot without getting caught, and now I'm on the Supreme Court. If you were stupid enough to get caught, that's your problem. Your appeal is denied."

Hiding your drug use from your significant other strikes me as a sure fire way to put a nice little time-bomb under your relationship. Eventually he/she'll find out, and they'll feel excluded/lied to at best; at the worst, with a staunchly anti-drug partner it could end it a break-up, or even being ratted out if they're of the particularly vindictive kind.
 
PolicyWonk said:
.........."Nice people take drugs"......... a deck of playing cards with quotes of famous politicians that use or have used drugs......
Click to expand...

Anyone see the irony here? Just in case not ........

George W Bush
Jacqui Smith
Sarah Palin
Boris Johnston

Not really on my list of "nice people" :\:\:\
 
I agree dont lie to your wife or significant other regarding your drug use. Truly is a time bomb waiting to blow up in your face.
Mine blew up in my face this past week. Glad its over what a relief. Lady was snooping on my phone, low and behold, she reads one of my posts regarding dmt and shrooms over the weekend. Which I confess about my shroom grow her and my step son found (luckily in between flushes) earlier in the week.
Long story short, I convince her 'somewhat' of my new found love for these beautiful sacraments. She just doesn't want me to expose my step son or put myself at risk- which I truly respect. And I made very clear that I would do anything for her and my step son including doing away with all drugs. If that is what makes her happy I would be willing to make the sacrifice, even though it may take away from my happiness. It's really about balance , its not like she is going to see me fucked up all the time and strung out to get my high, she truly has seen the change for the good (both mentally & physically).
She truly is my better half and I owe my life to her, the path I was on before I met her was a dark and lonely one.
Communication is the key - outside my family I could give a rats ass what people think of me doing drugs.
Im just lucky it turned out the way it did, just like PolicyWonk mentioned, she could've been vindictive and my ass would be in county right now.
 
I used to heavily advocate the use of specific drugs. (MDMA and LSD specifically) But as I've grown up some I realize that taking either of those is a pretty big decision, and I'm honestly not confident in my ability to decide something like that for someone else. I'm totally open to answer any questions they have, or give harm reduction advice if they decide to go for it, but I no longer try and convince someone it's a good idea.
 
I only ever approach the subject if the person I'm talking to is cool with either drinking or smoking weed. If they do either of these things, they are drug users, and therefore more likely to respond positively to discussion of other drugs. If the conversation drifts into the stuff I've done besides smoke and drink, I bring up the positive effects of other drugs, but I leave myself out of it. Like, for example, I might say that "ecstasy is fairly safe if used in a responsible manner and I know people who think it's great." If the person seems mortified, I don't go any further. But if they respond positively, I'll basically share my history of drug use.

Also, I don't just talk about drugs with people for the hell of it. I'll only mention it if that's where the conversation is naturally going. It's kinda funny when the other person is doing the same thing, then after 10 minutes of talking, you both realize that you both do drugs.
 
I have a major mental preoccupation with drugs. Always bring it up without it being necessary. But everyone I hang out with is the same way so it's whatever.
 
EntheoDjinn said:
Anyone see the irony here? Just in case not ........

George W Bush
Jacqui Smith
Sarah Palin
Boris Johnston

Not really on my list of "nice people" :\:\:\
Click to expand...

:)
That's why they're perfect for the list. It's the people that voted for them (and see them as 'the nice people') that need the most convincing.
 
I never force anything on anyone, but I certainly like to give people some food for thought.

I especially like to ask people if they thought the idea of taking psychedelic drugs was bad, and why. Then I ask them if they drink alcohol, and in most cases if the answer is 'yes', I like to point out their ignorance and hypocracy, before swiftly running off and leaving them to mull over their own unfulfilled life :)

That's only with people who assume a tone of moral superiority though. I'm not a dick -_-
 
Cloudy said:
I hide my drug use, but one thing I do not hide is my interests in the sciences surrounding drugs.
Click to expand...

+1

My gf has an aversion of drugs. After some chats though I could occasionally explore the fascinating world of legal rc's, she just doesn't want to take part in it. She wants me to be open about it so she can notice in time when things turn ugly. This was the case untill recently, now she doesn't want me taking anything. She saw me buzzing on 400mg of 6-apb and it scared the living daylight out of her (normally she's not around when i'm flying but this trip lasted a bit longer than anticipated). Still not sure if i should continue exploring or not.

My close friends know i take rc's, but don't use themselves. I would never push drugs on someone (even if they are eager to try it) if they haven't taken something before. There's no way of knowing how they'll react.
 
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