Do you harbour prejudices against people who use drugs?

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

Most people don't seem to care when I tell them that I occasionally take recreational drugs but it often happens that I'm met with judgement or scorn. How do you guys feel about drug use?

Edit: I forgot to mention nootropics.
Deit 2: I also forgot to mention what other drugs I mean: Cannabis, MDMA, caffeine, nootropics, LSD, chocolate, opium, DMT.

Also, just so as to avoid getting anyone in any legal trouble, I'm speaking as a fictional character. For the purpose of this thread, CrystalViolet is a figment of my imagination. A sexy, intelligent, and dare I say downright modest figment of my imagination.

1. I wouldn't say nootropics should be put in the same category as MDMA, LSD, Opium or DMT, same with caffeine or chocolate. not much you can abuse in those, maybe overdose a bit on certain nootropics if you're stupid about it.

2. Now I'm not advocating the use of any drug, but I feel that cannibis isn't as bad as alcohol and should be legal. As far as the others go, abuse is bad. Period. Recreational use, not so bad but still one has to be very careful about usage because one never knows what others have put in said drugs, how they were processed, etc. A bad batch of anything, especially MDMA, Opiates or LSD can really really fuck you up or put you in the grave. Every time you use those you're taking a huge risk, not necessarily because of the drug itself, though there are drawbacks from all drug use, but rather risking the unknown.

3. I don't get down on recreational users, moderation is a good thing if one decides to take that route and experiment (again not advocating).

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

**SNIP**

I'll agree with you on almost all your points, but you have to remember that people in the throes of meth usage aren't really clear headed. They're so wrapped up in the drug at that point that decision making is akin to someone with a mental disease or disorder, they can't really be held 100% responsible, except maybe for the initial usage that started them on the drug.
I am in no way shape or form absolving anyone of crimes or hurtful things they've done while on meth, remember I did say that they're responsible for getting started on the drug. However they're no longer the person they were before they started using and once they've gotten to that point, there's almost no real person left just a drugged out shell. Its a very sad and pitiful situation, especially since this horrible drug is so damn popular (I'd almost advocate using anything else over meth, but then I don't advocate drug usage). I don't understand it, I had my experiences years ago with it and found it to be extremely terrifying, something I never ever ever wanted to do again.
Also wanted to say I'm sorry you had to go through that, I know the feeling of having a good friend you thought was close screw you over like that, and have also been in the middle of one of those drug crazed fights (not my choosing, I blundered into it by accident and barely escaped).

 

[kickyourass]

More or less depends on the the drug and how it's used, if it's a bit of weed on the weekends as long as you do it at your place and keep it out of mine, whatever, it's your thing. And I'm kind of curious about LSD and other hallucinogens, so I don't seen much wrong with the OCCASIONAL use of some of them.

But if you're popping shit every other day, blitzed out of your mind every time I see you, can't sit through an hour long class without toking up first or some other shit, than I don't harbour anything, I send out whole the damn fleet. I do not have nor do I wish to acquire the patience for that sort of thing. If you (The fictional you that is a wasted addict, not the real you) don't like that, maybe you should try changing something instead of moaning about your actions having, shock of shocks, actual real world consequences, like people not liking you.

 

[Rattja]

No I don't, if anything it would be against people with poor self-control. Modderation, it's the key to everything.

It's a rather interesting part of humanity isn't it? From what I can tell it's like the drug of choice follows the personality of the one taking it. If you like something, it's mostly because you are that kind of person to begin with. So an asshole would still be an asshole even if he didn't shot up every day, it's just easier to spot in that state. They are more honest to who they are if you will.

There are so many that uses drugs, and there are so many kinds that works in so many ways, most people have no idea. And that is where I think a lot of the problem is, the general lack of facts and information. Most people trying something for the first time have no idea of what it is or how much they should take. For example, a mushroom isn't just a mushroom, there is a whole range of different ones and they can be very diffrent in how they work, as can weed. Something like LSD or shrooms can be the best thing in the world or a living hell based on something as simple as a sound. It is facinating how something so small as a drop too much can change how you precive the world in such a way.

Mind you, I do not think drugs are all good, I have seen what they can do to people. But that's the thing, I know what harm they can do, but I also know the good it can do. That's basically human nature right there.

It also saddens me that some of you actually think you are better than those who use something. Like people that seems so proud of not having touched alchohol. That's a huge part of world, no the human history they will never understand, just because of their stubborness to not let their human curiosity expand their mind and knowledge a little. If you have never touched a drop, you will never understand why drunk people do what they do. It's like looking at someone dancing through soundproof glass or something, looks silly and stupid until you are on the other side and can hear the music.
Just don't go down to the rehab centre and talk to them, find someone who have a job and all that and talk to those, you know.. those you don't hear about because they don't do anything stupid. Get down from that high horse of yours and talk to the people damnit!

 

[Silvanus]

I don't hold any prejudices against those who use drugs, though I haven't known any heavy users. Perhaps my experience would change if I did, so I don't want to say anything categorically.

I do think the language we tend to use with regards to these substances is rather misleading, though. Caffeine and alcohol and nicotine are drugs, but are almost never described as such; affixing the descriptor to marijuana but not the former three seems arbitrary, and encourages people to categorise these things rather inaccurately.

Snip

I just wanted to say that I really appreciated the candour and openness of your post. It added genuine context to the whole issue.

 

[CrystalViolet]

1. I wouldn't say nootropics should be put in the same category as MDMA, LSD, Opium or DMT, same with caffeine or chocolate. not much you can abuse in those, maybe overdose a bit on certain nootropics if you're stupid about it.

I deliberately lumped them all into a single blanket term to make an implicit point that the distinctions are fairly arbitrary. I want people to consider all drugs and not just the ones they consider "bad".

2. Now I'm not advocating the use of any drug, but I feel that cannibis isn't as bad as alcohol and should be legal.

Agreed

As far as the others go, abuse is bad. Period. Recreational use, not so bad but still one has to be very careful about usage because one never knows what others have put in said drugs, how they were processed, etc. A bad batch of anything, especially MDMA, Opiates or LSD can really really fuck you up or put you in the grave. Every time you use those you're taking a huge risk, not necessarily because of the drug itself, though there are drawbacks from all drug use, but rather risking the unknown.

I fully agree, but I need to point out that since your reply I've updated my original post to make it clear that I never actually buy drugs from a dealer. The issues you bring up are definitely very important and I take them very seriously. Were I to have no access to drugs from an ethical source I wouldn't buy them at all, not just because I'm worried about adulteration, but also because of the kind of nasty business that comes commitment with the illegal drug industry as it mostly is today.

3. I don't get down on recreational users, moderation is a good thing if one decides to take that route and experiment (again not advocating).

I can't argue with that attitude

 

[Trinket to Ride]

Depends on what you use.

Tobacco: I really don't care at all. Just not in the house. And if you're a close friend, I'll give you shit every time I see you smoking because I don't want you to die.

Alcohol and marijuana: Doesn't alter my opinion, but I'm a bit uncomfortable around people currently engaged in the act. I'll also probably leave your party early, because drunk/stoned people are beyond annoying to the non-drunk/stoned.

Anything harder: Once again, I won't write you off as a bad person, and I'll still talk to you, but it's very unlikely I'll want to hang out with you. Honestly, it's very unlikely you'll want to hang out with me anyway.

 

[CrystalViolet]

No I don't, if anything it would be against people with poor self-control. Modderation, it's the key to everything.

First of all, brilliant post! Beautifully put and very well conceived! Now that I've gotten the sycophantism out of the way...

It's a rather interesting part of humanity isn't it? From what I can tell it's like the drug of choice follows the personality of the one taking it. If you like something, it's mostly because you are that kind of person to begin with. So an asshole would still be an asshole even if he didn't shot up every day, it's just easier to spot in that state. They are more honest to who they are if you will.

I do agree that people with certain predispositions will behave in certain ways when they start taking drugs. The kind of moronic stoners who talk bollocks about how weed cures cancer are going to start off as the same sort of people. The problem is that they all find and vindicate each other, and the only real commonality between them is that they like to get really high and talk bullshit. That said, I can't say with certainty that some drugs don't have the capacity to actually change someone's personality. I'm pretty sure a nice guy can turn into a jackass after enough excessive drug use. The important thing, as you said, is moderation.

There are so many that uses drugs, and there are so many kinds that works in so many ways, most people have no idea. And that is where I think a lot of the problem is, the general lack of facts and information. Most people trying something for the first time have no idea of what it is or how much they should take. For example, a mushroom isn't just a mushroom, there is a whole range of different ones and they can be very diffrent in how they work, as can weed. Something like LSD or shrooms can be the best thing in the world or a living hell based on something as simple as a sound. It is facinating how something so small as a drop too much can change how you precive the world in such a way.

I could not agree more! Most people don't realise that it's possible to take drugs safely and responsibly, which is why it's so common for people to go out and buy "some shrooms" without knowing what the fuck they are, how much of the active psilosybin is in there, and how to take them, so they go off a crazy bad trip and freak out. On top of that, we're force-fed "Reefer Madness" and "drugs will destroy your life" mantras without ever extolling critical thinking about these things. It's a tragedy that a lack of education and political stubbornness has cultivated a status quo in which I can get insanely drunk in a club full of 500 people but can't trip on LSD in my own home without incurring the wrath of the law. "To protect and serve", is supposedly a police motto in the US. The police, who protect me from giving myself drugs by giving me a criminal record.

It also saddens me that some of you actually think you are better than those who use something. Like people that seems so proud of not having touched alchohol. That's a huge part of world, no the human history they will never understand, just because of their stubborness to not let their human curiosity expand their mind and knowledge a little. If you have never touched a drop, you will never understand why drunk people do what they do. It's like looking at someone dancing through soundproof glass or something, looks silly and stupid until you are on the other side and can hear the music.

I actually don't drink and never have drunk alcohol. I mean, I've tasted it a few times but never drunk it. But regardless, I also have nothing but disdain for the condescending attitude people often have towards you when they find out you take drugs. One of the worst responses is for them to believe you're stupid, completely independent of any other evidence you've given them about your intelligence.

Just don't go down to the rehab centre and talk to them, find someone who have a job and all that and talk to those, you know.. those you don't hear about because they don't do anything stupid. Get down from that high horse of yours and talk to the people damnit!

Perfectly said! A lot of people have horror stories about the "junkies" or "stoners" they know, but there's never any real mention of the people who take drugs while holding down jobs, raising a family, and contributing to society ina positive way.

 

[CrystalViolet]

I don't want to say anything categorically.

I wish more people would be the same

I do think the language we tend to use with regards to these substances is rather misleading, though. Caffeine and alcohol and nicotine are drugs, but are almost never described as such; affixing the descriptor to marijuana but not the former three seems arbitrary, and encourages people to categorise these things rather inaccurately.

Excellent point! I fully agree with you.

 

[Phasmal]

I've mentioned this before in drug threads, but my family has a poor history of mental health, so I personally would never risk myself with drugs.

As for other people who use drugs, I can't really say I know any (other than smokers and the odd alcoholic). I know people who have used drugs, but I don't know any people who currently use drugs. I do know one or two people who used drugs to the point of messing themselves up, and that's unfortunate.

To be honest, if I did know people like that, it probably would colour my opinion of them poorly. I do recognise a person's right to do what they want with their body, but I think I'd have less of a problem with it if for example some drugs were legal and regulated.

 

[Korolev]

Depends on the drug, but in general, I don't hate drug USERS. I am fully aware of the damage that drugs can do - but I use that knowledge to sympathize with them, not hate them. I am concerned about drug use primarily because of the potential health implications (especially IV drug use) on the user - I want the user to be healthy, which is why I tell them to not take drugs. I don't agree with locking them in prison.

Marijuana users? Depends on how much they take. Most mild marijuana users are indistinguishable from non-marijuana users. Heavy, chronic Marijuana users.... well, I've met some during my medical studies, and I have to say that the "amotivational, forgetful" stereotype has some basis in reality. Heavy marijuana users usually have their life so erratically arranged they can't get it together enough to stick to the simplest of schedules.

Crystal-Meth users? Honestly, they can be very, very scary people at times. Very scary. Violent. Aggressive. But not all are like that, and I'm well aware of that.

Smokers? Well, if they're old, I can sympathize. If they're poor or come from a developing country, I can sympathize. But when I see a young, moderately wealthy, educated 20-something smoking? I can't help but think they have.... poor judgement. Very... very poor judgement. I mean... read the packet! It says on the packet, in no uncertain terms, that smoking really is very bad for you! If you can read english.... well... why are you smoking? Why did you start in the first place?

In general, I tend to pity drug users, which is a form of negative judgement - which is not good. I have, at times, trouble understanding why people use recreational drugs, given that I don't use recreational drugs at all - Teetotaler, non-smoker all my life - and so I can slip into a judgemental mindset when dealing with drug users. But I always remind myself - these people haven't live my life. I may not understand why they started using drugs, but recreational drug use does not make them bad people.

So to answer your question - I do, but I'm trying to not have prejudices against drug users. Really, I am trying.

 

[feeback06]

My mother is an opiate addict, so I am not the biggest fan.

 

[loc978]

Yes and no... I don't think of a person or their work as worth any less due to an addiction... but I do take what a person says with a larger grain of salt if I suspect they're addicted to opiates, narcotic stimulants, hallucinogens or dissociatives (whether prescription or not, in all cases. Many of the worst drug addicts I've met were perfectly legal. Morphine is just heroin without the impurities cooked in).

Mind you, I do recognize the distinction between use and abuse. Most addicts actually retain an admirable amount of control... not that I recommend becoming one. You can't really know if you're one of the minority of people who absolutely cannot handle addictive drugs until you've tried the things... after which it's too late. One more reason not to get shot. I know from experience in being treated for injury that I do not like being high on opiates (actually, there are very few highs I enjoy, all of them mild and most of them induced without drugs). For some people, that's when they discover that it's the "good stuff".

 

[CrystalViolet]

I just came across this thread again and I'm still curious. Do you think I should add a poll?