posted on May 23, 2003 05:39:19 PM new
It's important to point out, Linda that cocaine is a powerfully addictive drug. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse at NIH, an individual cannot predict or control the extent to which he or she will continue to use the drug.
posted on May 23, 2003 05:51:54 PM new
Helen - I'm saying that some people can and do use cocaine [snort it] and do not become addicted.
an individual cannot predict or control the extent to which he or she will continue to use the drug. Maybe that's a good reason to keep it on the 'illegal' list..
But there are people who have a certain self-awareness and more self control than others when it comes to any addiction. Like aposter said, she was aware of her trouble quitting smoking. So it helped her in making a decision not to try....whatever. She knew herself, she 'listened' to her inner thoughts, remembered her previous experiences. Many people have this 'inner-awareness' about themselves. I realize I could easily develop a problem with alcohol. So most of my life I've avoided it. Some people just get plastered/drugged and never 'hear' these 'inner, self warnings'. Some don't learn from their first few experiences.
posted on May 23, 2003 05:58:42 PM new
Linda, I think that it is irresponsible to suggest that cocaine is an acceptable drug and relatively harmless like marijuana.
posted on May 23, 2003 06:09:17 PM new
Once again, Helen, you are making statements that I've never said.
Show me where I said it was an acceptable drug.
I just made a personal experience statement of what, in my lifetime, I've experienced/witnessed. And that is that there are some people who can and do use drugs/alcohol recreationally and don't develop any problem in their life because of it. Others completely destroy their lives with alcohol and drug usage.
You are right, some people can recreationally use coke and harder drugs and never become addicted. In my personal experience I have found a larger number of people do become addicted. The point I was trying to make is that I never saw anybody sell everything they owned for pot. It was always the harder stuff.
Now, are you arguing to legalize everything, or leave things be?
Alistair Crowley was quoted saying they should make all drugs legal and if you're dumb enough to let it destroy you and your family it's your own fault.
posted on May 23, 2003 06:19:55 PM new
There are some out there that just don't become addicted - to anything. I have a close gal pal that's that way. If we're out having a drink, she'll have a cigarette or not. She may have 5 and then not smoke again until the next time we manage to go out (which is not too often these days). She just doesn't have an addictive personality. I do. I've been trying to kick the smoking habit for a long time. I've never tried cocaine for that very reason. I'm one of the lucky ones that is totally aware of my personality type. There are those out there that have no clue. These are the ones that become instantly addicted to everything.
My brother for a long time was addicted to crack. Thankfully, he managed to clean himself up. Unfortunately, he's traded that addiction for beer. I never see him without a beer in his hand. Beer is better than cocaine by far. I think we can all agree with that. But, it illustrates a classic addictive personality. What I find interesting is that, while he does smoke MJ, he can take it or leave it. He's never had the unmistakeable addictive urge to light up a joint.
Cheryl
My religion is simple, my religion is kindness.
--Dalai Llama
posted on May 23, 2003 06:26:51 PM new
Hi clivebarkerfan - Yes, most of us bring our own personal experiences to the table. They are what have help us to form many of our own opinions in life.
Making all drugs legal? I wouldn't. It's my belief that being easier to purchase would only encourage more to try/experiment with the more addictive drugs. Those young people who are not brave enough to seek out drug sellers might not try it for that reason alone and therefore not risk becoming addicted.
Many who want pot legalized are fighting to stop cigarette smokers from being able to smoke. They are working to ban cigarette smokers from even smoking outside....but many of those still think pot should be legalized. Confuses me.
We've had many threads on here before about POT. Some people's favorite subject Inhaling pot into your lungs is no better than inhaling cigarette smoke into your lungs. Yes, one doesn't normally smoke as much pot as they might cigarettes, but they do inhale much more deeply.
My husband feels all drugs should be legalized...**IF** when these people who will become addicted start the slide downward the taxpayers aren't asked/required to put one cent towards their rehabilitation. But many seem to want these drugs made legal and then we'll have to listen to all the bleeding hearts about how we **have** to pick up the tab to pay for their treatment. It would be their choice.
Me....I'm a believer in living life with a clear head.
posted on May 23, 2003 06:38:59 PM new
Here's an article you all might find interesting to read about addiction....
THE SURPRISING TRUTH ABOUT HEROIN AND ADDICTION
In 1992 The New York Times carried a front-page story about a successful businessman who
happened to be a regular heroin user. It began: "He is an executive in a company in New
York, lives in a condo on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, drives an expensive car, plays
tennis in the Hamptons and vacations with his wife in Europe and the Caribbean. But
unknown to office colleagues, friends, and most of his family, the man is also a longtime
heroin user. He says he finds heroin relaxing and pleasurable and has seen no reason to stop
using it until the woman he recently married insisted that he do so. 'The drug is an
enhancement of my life,' he said. 'I see it as similar to a guy coming home and having a drink
of alcohol. Only alcohol has never done it for me.'"
The Times noted that "nearly everything about the 44-year-old executive...seems to fly in the
face of widely held perceptions about heroin users." The reporter who wrote the story and his
editors seemed uncomfortable with contradicting official anti-drug propaganda, which depicts
heroin use as incompatible with a satisfying, productive life. The headline read, "Executive's
Secret Struggle With Heroin's Powerful Grip," which sounds more like a cautionary tale than
a success story. And the Times hastened to add that heroin users "are flirting with disaster."
It
conceded that "heroin does not damage the organs as, for instance, heavy alcohol use does."
But it cited the risk of arrest, overdose, AIDS, and hepatitis -- without noting that all of these
risks are created or exacerbated by prohibition.
posted on May 23, 2003 07:00:55 PM new
Aleister Crowley,that old chap!
i would never expect anyone to mention his name on a forum such as Vendio round table.
but good old alex is also an occultist,how much does heroin pave his way toward occultism??
did he not travel with a companion to egypt and tried to summon someone??i cant remember whom accompanied him and who staggered out of the circle and came back??all under the influence of a certain drug and hallucination.
did he and another unidentified companion holed up in a hotel room and tried to summon god Pan??
it must be nice to be independantly wealthy and what is his famous slogan-be what you want to be or no,i have to find his book tonite and look at the exact quote.
or should i practice Magick and rising on the plane??
posted on May 24, 2003 02:32:23 PM new
stopwhining -
The Crowley quote I brought up was for a reason. I talk things that are said like that metaphorically. I feel that people know it's (addiction) bad, not good for them, whatever. But they still do it or use it. Quite ironic that he was a user and was still responsible enough to make his comment about drugs.
Crowley was a nut. I look at him in the same way I look at guys that try to sail around the world in a balloon. There's goofs in ever period of time. Like Howard Hughes once he went off the deep end collecting toenails and whatnot. Spruce Goose??
To sum up, people have choices to make and they should live with the consequences of those choices. If you (people, not you specifically) can't handle something don't do it or at least learn to control it.
Inhaling pot into your lungs is no better than inhaling cigarette smoke into your lungs. Yes, one doesn't normally smoke as much pot as they might cigarettes, but they do inhale much more deeply.