teens and drugs

[Deleted User]

I don't understand the "I'd be more worried about alcohol" rhetoric. Alcohol and drugs are very different, they are used in different settings for different reasons and provide different value. Alcohol can certainly be dangerous (more so than some drugs depending on how it's consumed) but in general alcohol is quite safe because of how consumption happens. People who sit at home drinking alone or with a friend every night of the week would be considered alcoholics with a problem, someone that sits at home every night smoking weed is okay because "at least it isn't alcohol", or "it's just weed".

The difference between addiction and choice is irrelevant if the substance consumption patterns are a problem, someone may not have a physical dependence on a substance but if that substance is a significant part of their life quitting will mean sacrificing more than just the feeling the drug provides and for a lot of people that is very difficult. I don't have a dependency on coca cola but I drink a lot of it and do not want to quit, I enjoy drinking it, I could quit if I needed but I don't need to, so I won't. How many times do people say that every day about something they enjoy? Probably millions of times. I could go outside right now, but I'm not going to, so what does it matter that I could if I'm not going to?

I don't have any interest in any substances (I do not drink or take drugs, nor have I ever) but I can understand why some people do and don't see a huge problem with it (although in my ideal world harmful substances wouldn't exist, but there goes my coca cola!) however I think that a responsible and mature attitude towards the substances is absolutely imperative, not understanding the concerns of others and not understanding that a parent may not want drugs in their house near their young children sounds so full of immaturity that I would question the ability for that person to responsibly manage drugs.

My younger brother (16) went out to a party a few weeks ago and ended up in hospital because of the alcohol he consumed, although he hasn't made the same mistake since it's a clear indication of how immature some children can be. He didn't care about what would happen after he consumed the alcohol, he just wanted to be drunk as fast as possible. I'd be very nervous about a person that started consuming drugs at a very young age and has continued using them throughout their developmental period and into adulthood and struggles to understand why someone may be concerned about the presence of drugs in their house, although there are adults who are just as immature and they may manage to function in society.

Ultimately every person is different, some people grow up in the absolute worst circumstances imaginable and turn out absolutely fine as they grow older, some people grow up in the absolute perfect circumstances and end up in a terrible place as they grow up. Personally I spent my childhood wasting every opportunity given to me, I chose to sabotage my own education (I left high school with 3 GCSEs and was unable to proceed any further) but now my life is in an excellent place! Conversely I know someone who had an excellent high school education, went to university and has now dropped out (and coincidentally now turned to drugs but that is of little relevance).

All you can do is try and set someone up for the best possible future, if she is absolutely set on continuing her drug taking then all you will do is alienate her more if you focus on trying to convince her to cease, instead focus on the responsibility side of drugs (drum it into her that she cannot bring drugs into your house, not because drugs are bad but because it's irresponsible!) and hopefully those sort of lessons (about responsibility) will provide her the tools to deal with her future. Maybe she'll grow out of drugs in a year or so and it won't matter that she spent her teenage years taking them, or maybe she'll stay with them until she retires, all you can do is prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

unholyangel

CrazyRed wrote: »

My current wife

When are you swapping her for an updated model?

Sorry just the "current" part made it sound like its just temporary :rotfl:

pukkamum

ess0two wrote: »

You keep telling yourself its fine to smoke weed.

I will because as far as I am concerned for me it is, I am not saying it is for all though.
Just as others tell themselves its fine to drink.

pukkamum

jellyhead wrote: »

I think it smells like old wee on a tramp or the men's toilet in a pub or nightclub. It's a sweaty 'needs a wash' kind of smell. My husband doesn't agree, he thinks my sense of smell is odd.

I think it smells lovely:p