As a teen I was very anti peer group pressure in general, slow on the uptake- of even alcohol -when all my peers were getting drunk & wasted.
I made up for it once I was settled in at uni and proceeded to sample everything with various boundaries applied (no weed unless socialising, even if I love heroin - I am only having it this one time, I will never pay for cocaine, no injecting). There is something I really enyoy about being in an altered state of consciousness. It's like exploring unfamiliar parts of my brain.
Reasons: socialising, experimentation, enhancing an experience (raves & dance parties), staying awake at work, feeling more confident in a situation, numbing when sad, feeling less lonely, defiance of societal norms, wanting to overcome a stuck feeling, general self medicating.
Alcohol, a drug of addiction, is the biggest killer of people and the most unregulated and freely available. Human nature, historically, has made and utilised alcohol, at least in the Western world. Other cultures use their own substances - coca leaves in some South American countries, marijuana to worship Jah in Jamaica. People want a mood alteration. The problem IMO, is primarily that alcohol is often not considered 'a problem', and that is incorrect, and it is available to purchase in supermarkets. In Spain drugs are not criminalised, and dependance has decreased. Also there is current research and use of some drugs, mostly organic substances, being used to assist with mental health situations across a broad spectrum. As adults, we have to be able to make our own choices. The key is to be responsible, and moderate. Moderation in everything, including moderation. The trip has been spectacular. Be well. x
Thanks so much for writing Shelley. Wise words. I agree that decriminalisation is key. Drugs should be about the right dose for the right person for the right reasons, I believe. Then they are invaluable.
I feel you are right about personal responsibility and regulation by outside authorities is failing drastically. A lot of resources go into pursuing illegal drug traders that could perhaps be better spent?
Not sure I’ve got anything too profound Dr Deb but what I do know is that I did spend a considerable amount of time as a very young girl being the level headed and somewhat controlled one at times with a gorgeous mum who was wild & free & uninhibited. I did dabble later on from peer pressure working in the bar & hospitality industry & found a wildness freedom that allowed me to have that uninhabited feeling from a forced chemical rather than a natural joy which I’d never allowed myself the freedom to have because I was always too busy being the serious one at times. This quickly changed when I realised my all or nothing nature was better spent on the natural wild freedoms & the chemicals were short lived thank god.
I let saffy & Eddy live together in harmony so to speak :)
Oh thanks so much for writing this. I love hearing your thoughts and this is not something I covered here. Pressure from others plays a huge role, especially when we are young.
Second, as you say, if people want to feel more free and alive and do not believe they can access it… drugs have long had that reputation as a portal. Is that a myth or a truth? I’m not really able to judge.
I super appreciate you writing and glad Saffron and Eddy are in happy coexistence.
I was diagnosed with depression at 14. Now, being 44, I can realize that my depression was not just internal. External family issues were a major contributor. Just being told I have a mental illness, take these pills and you will feel better, weren’t enough. I was the first person in my family to be diagnosed with a mental health problem, took my meds at first, yet no compassion, empathy, understanding, from family had me stopping the meds without anyone ever knowing. In my late teens I quietly struggled so when alcohol and marijuana could alter my sad little lonely world I was all on board. Unfortunately, this issue with depression, drugs & alcohol led to two month long stays at rehab. When marijuana became legal in my state I got my license and took advantage of it. As of now, I haven’t smoked any since sometime last year and I am assuming it is because of the anxiety attacks grew worse for me when smoking. Memory problems are an issue of mine also and marijuana did not help with that. I look at my life now in what I call an altered state of mind because of my anxiety, depression, isolation…
I know that if I want to take control, booze and drugs are not going to help me.
As a teen I was very anti peer group pressure in general, slow on the uptake- of even alcohol -when all my peers were getting drunk & wasted.
I made up for it once I was settled in at uni and proceeded to sample everything with various boundaries applied (no weed unless socialising, even if I love heroin - I am only having it this one time, I will never pay for cocaine, no injecting). There is something I really enyoy about being in an altered state of consciousness. It's like exploring unfamiliar parts of my brain.
Reasons: socialising, experimentation, enhancing an experience (raves & dance parties), staying awake at work, feeling more confident in a situation, numbing when sad, feeling less lonely, defiance of societal norms, wanting to overcome a stuck feeling, general self medicating.
Alcohol, a drug of addiction, is the biggest killer of people and the most unregulated and freely available. Human nature, historically, has made and utilised alcohol, at least in the Western world. Other cultures use their own substances - coca leaves in some South American countries, marijuana to worship Jah in Jamaica. People want a mood alteration. The problem IMO, is primarily that alcohol is often not considered 'a problem', and that is incorrect, and it is available to purchase in supermarkets. In Spain drugs are not criminalised, and dependance has decreased. Also there is current research and use of some drugs, mostly organic substances, being used to assist with mental health situations across a broad spectrum. As adults, we have to be able to make our own choices. The key is to be responsible, and moderate. Moderation in everything, including moderation. The trip has been spectacular. Be well. x
Thanks so much for writing Shelley. Wise words. I agree that decriminalisation is key. Drugs should be about the right dose for the right person for the right reasons, I believe. Then they are invaluable.
I feel you are right about personal responsibility and regulation by outside authorities is failing drastically. A lot of resources go into pursuing illegal drug traders that could perhaps be better spent?
Not sure I’ve got anything too profound Dr Deb but what I do know is that I did spend a considerable amount of time as a very young girl being the level headed and somewhat controlled one at times with a gorgeous mum who was wild & free & uninhibited. I did dabble later on from peer pressure working in the bar & hospitality industry & found a wildness freedom that allowed me to have that uninhabited feeling from a forced chemical rather than a natural joy which I’d never allowed myself the freedom to have because I was always too busy being the serious one at times. This quickly changed when I realised my all or nothing nature was better spent on the natural wild freedoms & the chemicals were short lived thank god.
I let saffy & Eddy live together in harmony so to speak :)
Oh thanks so much for writing this. I love hearing your thoughts and this is not something I covered here. Pressure from others plays a huge role, especially when we are young.
Second, as you say, if people want to feel more free and alive and do not believe they can access it… drugs have long had that reputation as a portal. Is that a myth or a truth? I’m not really able to judge.
I super appreciate you writing and glad Saffron and Eddy are in happy coexistence.
I was diagnosed with depression at 14. Now, being 44, I can realize that my depression was not just internal. External family issues were a major contributor. Just being told I have a mental illness, take these pills and you will feel better, weren’t enough. I was the first person in my family to be diagnosed with a mental health problem, took my meds at first, yet no compassion, empathy, understanding, from family had me stopping the meds without anyone ever knowing. In my late teens I quietly struggled so when alcohol and marijuana could alter my sad little lonely world I was all on board. Unfortunately, this issue with depression, drugs & alcohol led to two month long stays at rehab. When marijuana became legal in my state I got my license and took advantage of it. As of now, I haven’t smoked any since sometime last year and I am assuming it is because of the anxiety attacks grew worse for me when smoking. Memory problems are an issue of mine also and marijuana did not help with that. I look at my life now in what I call an altered state of mind because of my anxiety, depression, isolation…
I know that if I want to take control, booze and drugs are not going to help me.
Thank you so much for writing. What things do you think help you in some way at this point in your daily world?