I don't do drugs or alcohol

[Glenn]

btw - I'm going to start deleting inflammatory remarks now. 

[FishingBuds]

FishingBuds - you've made your points, and I've asked the others to leave you be. I ask that you move on as well.

Yep, last post deleted for ya

[Fishing Rhino]

I'll interject my two cents worth.

My wife will have a glass of wine now and then with a meal, or in the evening.  Me, I never touch the stuff except for toasts at weddings and the like.

I've tried it and don't care for it.

But, here's the thing.  According to science and medicine some folks have a disease, or are predisposed to becoming addicted, or alcoholics. 

Supposedly, the first drink for them is enough to establish a dependency on alcohol.  If that is the case, and an individual cannot determine if they have the "alcohol gene" or whatever it is that causes them to need it, why take the chance? 

It is folly to take that chance, hoping for the best.  Kinda like playing an alcohol version of Russian Roulette.

[Bassn Blvd]

I'll interject my two cents worth.

My wife will have a glass of wine now and then with a meal, or in the evening. Me, I never touch the stuff except for toasts at weddings and the like.

I've tried it and don't care for it.

But, here's the thing. According to science and medicine some folks have a disease, or are predisposed to becoming addicted, or alcoholics.

Supposedly, the first drink for them is enough to establish a dependency on alcohol. If that is the case, and an individual cannot determine if they have the "alcohol gene" or whatever it is that causes them to need it, why take the chance?

It is folly to take that chance, hoping for the best. Kinda like playing an alcohol version of Russian Roulette.

You're absolutely correct. 

I won't get involved in the marijuana and alcohol debate on if it should be legal or not or if it's addictive.

But, DO NOT lump all drugs as not being addictive.  I have personally interviewed over 1000 people who smoke crack cocaine.  Out of those 1000, guess how many enjoy smoking it and are glad they started?  NONE.  you would be amazed at how many became addicted after just one hit.

[OHIO]

Quoting someone who is 20 and not yet old enough to drink and knows nothing about alcohol?

HA I like to think I know a little bit about it. ;D

[K_Mac]

Last call? Well just one more for the road!

Like a few others I have had my issues with alcohol and various drugs. From 74 thru January of 85 I tried hard to prove I was a social user. I was not. I won't go into the details, but once I finally quit I spent a couple of years trying to figure out why I could not have an occasional drink and others could.

I do not believe that everyone who abuses alcohol is dependent. Some go through stages where they abuse it and then move on. There have been some here though who dismiss the idea of dependency as a disease, that it is simply an excuse for lack of self control. With all due respect, I believe you are wrong, and I think science is on my side. Alcoholism goes way back in my family. I was skeptical that there could be a genetic link, but there appears to be. The way a drunks body metabolizes alcohol is different from normal drinkers. The way it effects the pleasure sensors in the brain is different. The euphoria is more intense. I think there is value in knowing that some of us are more at risk to abuse substances than others. My daughter was well aware of the family history before she had to make her own decisions.

For me alcohol is not an option and I think many folks would be better off without it. Ask me to partake and I will politely say no thanks. If you choose to drink that is your own business. Cheers.

[Fish Chris]

Wow !

Did this thread ever blow up !?!?

Anyway, I just hate alcohol, and I hate to be around anyone who has been drinking it.

I do agree that crack or meth, would probably be more detrimental, if more people were doing it.... but the same is not true with pot, as more people ARE doing it and it still doesn't cause the problems that alcohol does.

Again, I don't condone the use of pot either. But it bothers the heck out of me that alcohol is legal, and pot is not ? Who in the heck came up with that ?

It also kills me to see hundreds of millions of $ being wasted on the enforcement of pot laws. Like we have hundreds of millions of $ to waste !

I wish I could say, whatever the next guy wants to do, that's fine, it doesn't effect me..... but if the next guy gets sloshing drunk, and gets behind a steering wheel, which they often do, it could very seriously effect me, or you too !

Anyway, if you enjoy using the drug called 'alcohol', their is no way I can change your mind. And their is also no way somebody could make me be okay with it. So I guess that puts us at an impasse with this subject.

Carry on,

Fish

[Bassn Blvd]

I don't know which was worse, me driving intoxicated or stoned when I was 17.  Smoking weed has a bigger negative impact than many think.  But hey, who am I to judge. 

[swilly78]

I like beer.  The end.

[OHIO]

I don't know which was worse, me driving intoxicated or stoned when I was 17. Smoking weed has a bigger negative impact than many think. But hey, who am I to judge.

I agree. A lot of my old friends (I say old because I am not friends with them anymore) smoke weed every single day.

I would go and hang out with them and all they would do was sit on a couch the whole day.

Many of them were straight A students up until they started smoking and now they aren't even going to college.

They all work at Outback Steakhouse and do the same things they did in high school, nothing.

They will work there for the rest of their lives.

Not nearly as detrimental as drunk driving, but it does have significant affects on people.

[Stringjam]

....besides, it's much easier to blame an inanimate object than take responsibility for one's actions. :

Exactly.....I don't think this topic could be summed up more precisely than that.   

[=Matt 5.0=]

Anyway, I just hate alcohol, and I hate to be around anyone who has been drinking it.

You're not alone dude.

I've been alcohol free (and Straight Edge) for 16 years, I don't miss it.

As far as drugs go, I don't need a crutch.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't know which was worse, me driving intoxicated or stoned when I was 17. Smoking weed has a bigger negative impact than many think. But hey, who am I to judge.

I agree. A lot of my old friends (I say old because I am not friends with them anymore) smoke weed every single day.

I would go and hang out with them and all they would do was sit on a couch the whole day.

Many of them were straight A students up until they started smoking and now they aren't even going to college.

They all work at Outback Steakhouse and do the same things they did in high school, nothing.

They will work there for the rest of their lives.

Not nearly as detrimental as drunk driving, but it does have significant affects on people.

Not too sure I agree with this one.  I smoked my first joint Sept of 1963 my first year at Univ of Mich., didn't miss a day smoking weed for nearly 40 years ( lots of coke too ), my first lid cost me 7 bux...lol.  Along that road I earned 2 degrees, built a very nice business, raised a family, stayed married to my first and only wife, and retired young enough to enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Just about all my friends and family have similar stories and almost every last one is a Dr, Atty, CPA or business owner.  In all fairness some I know did not turn out well.

I drink very little now and do no drugs, not because it was bad but i just lost the desire.

[OHIO]

I don't know which was worse, me driving intoxicated or stoned when I was 17. Smoking weed has a bigger negative impact than many think. But hey, who am I to judge.

I agree. A lot of my old friends (I say old because I am not friends with them anymore) smoke weed every single day.

I would go and hang out with them and all they would do was sit on a couch the whole day.

Many of them were straight A students up until they started smoking and now they aren't even going to college.

They all work at Outback Steakhouse and do the same things they did in high school, nothing.

They will work there for the rest of their lives.

Not nearly as detrimental as drunk driving, but it does have significant affects on people.

Not too sure I agree with this one. I smoked my first joint Sept of 1963 my first year at Univ of Mich., didn't miss a day smoking weed for nearly 40 years ( lots of coke too ), my first lid cost me 7 bux...lol. Along that road I earned 2 degrees, built a very nice business, raised a family, stayed married to my first and only wife, and retired young enough to enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Just about all my friends and family have similar stories and almost every last one is a Dr, Atty, CPA or business owner. In all fairness some I know did not turn out well.

I drink very little now and do no drugs, not because it was bad but i just lost the desire.

It affects everyone differently. I choose not to do it because I have seen what CAN happen first hand.

Not saying it will, just don't want to take the risk.

If you can do it without ill affects, then more power to you, but a lot of people can't.

[bigfruits]

my two pennies:

most substances, when taken in moderation, are not harmful. when you abuse, bad things happen.

i rather have 50 people "high" on the road than one drunk.

both should be legal and both should be punishable when driving under the influence.

just an opinion...

[Tin]

i rather have 50 people "high" on the road than one drunk.

both should be legal and both should be punishable when driving under the influence.

just an opinion...

That is where the problem is...marijuana can stay in ones system for months.

[SirSnookalot]

True that marijuana stays in the system for quite some time, but the buzz is gone within hours.

If I'm not mistaken marijuana is not legal in any country but decriminalized in places like Denmark where a blind eye is really turned.

The war against drugs is like the war against terror, it can't be won.  The only way to stop illegal drugs is to eliminate the desire to have them, as long as people want them they will be available.  IMO legalization is good idea, adding much needed tax revenue to states and federal.

[bigfruits]

Tin-

youre right, it would have to be a test that could tell you were under the influence at the time. that doesnt exist so i guess theres no way to tell...

you cant really test for legal drugs either (painkillers) and those are pretty impairing.

[dave]

FishingBuds, I enjoy a cold beer periodically. But I guess to you losing loved family members, or watching relationships go south because of it. Including right now with a good friends marriage, is not traumatic enough. The point of it being an inanimate object still holds true, its not the alcohols fault, its the choice of the person using it. Life is full of heartache and chooses to be made. Blaming inanimate objects is never a justifiable response.

I was honest enough to tell you all up front, Im prejudice against this stuff. so one beer or not, I've seen and been thru enough to hate it no matter and believe in all my soul that each tragic outcome only happened because of being high or intoxicating

What FISH CHRIS did was state his dislike and prejudice. What you did was to state yours and then, disparage the character, intelligence, etc., of every person that ever took or takes a drink. THAT, I believe is where this topic got crazy.

[J Francho]

Tin-

youre right, it would have to be a test that could tell you were under the influence at the time. that doesnt exist so i guess theres no way to tell...

you cant really test for legal drugs either (painkillers) and those are pretty impairing.

It exists in NY.  DWI law uses two parts for determining intoxication.  Part A is blood alcohol level.  Part B involves a series of tests (further than the roadside sobriety test) and evidence to sufficiently determine one incapable of operating a motor vehicle.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Did I mention that I like beer?

I have two jobs, a happy wife and friends who think I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread.

If you have self control and partake in moderation, there will be no issues.  I'll change my tune when I experience a beer that hides in the shadows, waiting for me to innocently yawn so that it may run out and pour its insidious contents down my throat, forever sentencing me to a life of inebriation (obviously, through no fault of my own.)

I respect that people have differing opinions on the subject, but some of those opinions are just plain silly.

[BassCatt]

Did I mention that I like beer?

I have two jobs, a happy wife and friends who think I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread.

If you have self control and partake in moderation, there will be no issues.  I'll change my tune when I experience a beer that hides in the shadows, waiting for me to innocently yawn so that it may run out and pour its insidious contents down my throat, forever sentencing me to a life of inebriation (obviously, through no fault of my own.)

I respect that people have differing opinions on the subject, but some of those opinions are just plain silly.

All seemed well, until you had to start telling blatant lies....

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I have two jobs, a happy wife and friends who think I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Keep on telling yourself that....    ;D

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Obviously, I was being somewhat facetious....

As stated before, I just have a very tough time with "it's the substance's fault."

I will concede there are certain circumstances where it is not a free-will choice to become a user and/or addict. Tin's medication/physical pain example is a perfect illustration of that.  Someone who experiences a traumatic event and chooses to drown themselves at the bottom of a bottle or other vice?  Eh, no.

Rx medication vs. self medication

[bigfruits]

It exists in NY. DWI law uses two parts for determining intoxication. Part A is blood alcohol level. Part B involves a series of tests (further than the roadside sobriety test) and evidence to sufficiently determine one incapable of operating a motor vehicle.

so Part B could tell you if they are incapable of driving but how would you know that theyre high on marijuana? they could be exhausted, have an ear infection affecting equilibrium, or be messed up off of prescription drugs, right?