Substance "Abuse"

[Cerberus~]

How do you define "substance abuser"? Do you apply the same standar to all substances, and take the position of our government and apply different standards to different substances.

So what is an "abuser"?How do you define "substance abuser"? Do you apply the same standar to all substances, and take the position of our government and apply different standards to different substances.

So what is an "abuser"?

 

[SisterGeoff]

As one who thinks that all drugs should be legal for adults to use I do not put alcohol in one catagory and drugs which are curretnly illegal in another. Alcohol is a drug, as is cannabis, as is heroin, as is coffiee. They are all of differing potency with some being addictive and others not but all are drugs none the less.

I would say that some one is abuseing a substance when it is negatively impacting the rest of their life or the live of others in a serious manner. I think that most all drugs can be used in a responsible manner and that it is frankly none of the states concern if an adult of their own free will choses to put a substance into their body so long as other are not put in peril by it.

 

[Cerberus~]

Boy, the forums really butchered my OP. There's still a few kinks in the posting.

 

[Silent Bob]

How do you define "substance abuser"?

Someone who uses a substance too much or too often or both.

Edit: Let me be more precise 'too' refers to usage which disrupts a person's life.

Do you apply the same standar to all substances, and take the position of our government and apply different standards to different substances.

I apply the same standard for all mind altering substances: glue, heroin, coffee, booze.

 

[gwenmead]

I generally think that someone is abusing a substance if they use it to excess, and in such a way that it interferes with the normal, healthy functioning of their life.

If someone uses a substance, and that use doesn't interfere in any significant or damaging way with their work habits, psychological health, relationships, and whether or not they're a productive, responsible member of society, then I wouldn't say they're abusing said substance.

I've talked to a few people in my lifetime that insist that any use of a given substance automatically constitutes abuse of it, but I don't think that necessarily follows. Heh, and one thing I've noticed is that a lot of folks who make that claim are recovering abusers or addicts themselves - unaware that they're saddled with the tendency many recovering folks have to see addiction everywhere.

I also think that "substance" isn't limited to just drugs and alcohol. It could be anything a person could get an unhealthy attachment to, really. Porn, work, food, relationships, whatever. A person's drug of choice could be anything, really.

 

[trunks2k]

Edit: Let me be more precise 'too' refers to usage which disrupts a person's life.



I apply the same standard for all mind altering substances: glue, heroin, coffee, booze.

I'm in pretty much the same boat. It's abuse when it is starting to take over your life, when you come to depend on the item. Toking up after work to relax is not drug abuse. Toking up several times a day to the point that you do not go to school/work/etc. is abuse.

 

[CCGirl]

How do you define "substance abuser"? Do you apply the same standar to all substances, and take the position of our government and apply different standards to different substances.

So what is an "abuser"?How do you define "substance abuser"? Do you apply the same standar to all substances, and take the position of our government and apply different standards to different substances.

So what is an "abuser"?

Well, I think all "drugs" should be legalized and regulated. That said, if any abuse is taking over your life so you are unable to function as you normally do, then it is a problem

 

[Yusuf Evans]

I'm sorry, but keep drugs illegal. I don't exactly want a guy standing guard next to me to be hyped up on X, simply because he felt like feeling better. I can deal with someone coming into work with alcohol on their breath or a hangover, but someone high on PCP is going to be problems.

 

[Helo]

How do you define "substance abuser"? Do you apply the same standar to all substances, and take the position of our government and apply different standards to different substances.

So what is an "abuser"?How do you define "substance abuser"? Do you apply the same standar to all substances, and take the position of our government and apply different standards to different substances.

So what is an "abuser"?

A substance abuser is someone who continually lets something a person indulges in get between them an a reasonably healthy lifestyle or effecting the personal relationships of people around them.

One thing Ive never understood is porn addiction. To me it seems like a way to blame problems on something that doesnt cause a problem

 

[CCGirl]

I'm sorry, but keep drugs illegal. I don't exactly want a guy standing guard next to me to be hyped up on X, simply because he felt like feeling better. I can deal with someone coming into work with alcohol on their breath or a hangover, but someone high on PCP is going to be problems.

Legalizing these substances would put you in this position no more or less than you would be now! Legalization actually is safer because there are regulations in place and you cut out the middleman (organized crime). You would be as responsible as you are now with alcohol except it would include all drugs, not just alcohol. And yes, of course working with someone high is not a great idea and would scare me too!

Legislating morality does not work, ever. If it did, the so called "war on drugs" would have worked a long time ago. Regulation is the key.

 

[Cerberus~]

I'm sorry, but keep drugs illegal. I don't exactly want a guy standing guard next to me to be hyped up on X, simply because he felt like feeling better. I can deal with someone coming into work with alcohol on their breath or a hangover, but someone high on PCP is going to be problems.

Would a guy who was drunk be allowed to stand gaurd next to you? Of course not. So why would they allow a guy who's rolling stand gaurd next to you?

People have paranoid over reactions which are completely seperated from reality.

 

[SisterGeoff]

I'm sorry, but keep drugs illegal. I don't exactly want a guy standing guard next to me to be hyped up on X, simply because he felt like feeling better. I can deal with someone coming into work with alcohol on their breath or a hangover, but someone high on PCP is going to be problems.

This is really a bit of a straw man.

Should the drugs which are currently illegal be made legal it would be no diffrent from alcohol. You cannot show up for work, drive, operate machinery etc, while intoxicated on alcohol now, how is it that were other drugs regulated in such a manner as alcohol that suddenly people would be allowed to do those things while under the influence of other drugs?

I mean really, where are the drug law reformists calling for an end to the drug war and an end to prohobitions on driving or working while intoxicated?

 

[Thirst_For_Knowledge]

I'm sorry, but keep drugs illegal. I don't exactly want a guy standing guard next to me to be hyped up on X, simply because he felt like feeling better. I can deal with someone coming into work with alcohol on their breath or a hangover, but someone high on PCP is going to be problems.

Anyone who goes to work on E, needs to learn the proper way to roll.

 

[Cerberus~]

Anyone who goes to work on E, needs to learn the proper way to roll.

Exactly! Rollin at work, there's 20 bucks that just got wasted.

 

[Moros]

How do you define "substance abuser"?
Do you apply the same standar to all substances

1. Someone whose indulgence becomes compulsion.
2. Not only substances, but behaviors, as well.

 

[Arnold_Philips]

(this is from my memory of a pharmacy class I took a couple years ago, so the numbers might be jumbled a bit)

For one to be technically, medically, dependent on a substance, he must satisfy four of seven criteria:

1. exhibits withdrawal
2. affects relationships with others
3. persistent use despite negative consequences
4. tolerance of substance
5. consumption of larger amounts than intended
6. I forgot
7. I forgot

 

[Silent Bob]

Exactly! Rollin at work, there's 20 bucks that just got wasted.

I couldn't agree more! Drugs is something you do with mates at home or at a club (or before watching a movie in the cinema, mmm browniessss) and a complete waste of money when you do them at work or at school.

Once again booze IS a drug to me, caffeine and nicotene are the only exceptions of drugs acceptable at work or at school. Caffeine may inhibit you from paying attention tho.

 

[Helo]

There are like 20 reasons why you shouldnt do drugs.

1. They cost money.
2. They cause memory loss
3. .....I forgot, Ill come back to that
4. .....ummm....its not that important
5. .....I forgot what I was talking about