Drinkers n Smokers

[j0ns]

How many of you guys do it? Obviously if you're addicted to one or the other, or even both, you can't almost help yourself but do you really NEED to do it?

My friends tell me all the time that smoking (almost all the time weed) gives you a high, makes you feel good, lets you unwind and feel more confident. The same thing goes for drinking. I don't see myself doing either one of them as I think they're pointless and leads to ill health one way or another. There's plenty of other ways you can feel confident within yourself and I just don't see drugs as a way of helping you do that. That's me talking from an outsiders stand point though, because I haven't - and never will go down that road.

So my question to you guys is how many of you smoke, and how much of an effect does it have on your life?

 

[tacotanium]

never smoked in my life. i don't do either. but drink on special occasions, like if it's a friends bday. i don't drink hard either. just 1 or 2 shots. i don't see how people drink so much. there are many other ways to have fun too, like..................tennis. ahah

 

[Deuce]

How many of you guys do it? Obviously if you're addicted to one or the other, or even both, you can't almost help yourself but do you really NEED to do it?

My friends tell me all the time that smoking (almost all the time weed) gives you a high, makes you feel good, lets you unwind and feel more confident. The same thing goes for drinking. I don't see myself doing either one of them as I think they're pointless and leads to ill health one way or another. There's plenty of other ways you can feel confident within yourself and I just don't see drugs as a way of helping you do that. That's me talking from an outsiders stand point though, because I haven't - and never will go down that road.

Unfortunately, particularly with young people - they attempt to justify what they are doing by getting others to do it, too.
It's just a highly immature game.
What drugs and booze 'give' you is artificial. There is no sense of fulfillment or accomplishment that goes with it. To feel 'relaxed' through artificial means is, in my view, cowardly, and serves only to reveal both one's incapability of being relaxed on one's own, as well as one's utter desperation. Neither are enviable traits.

Stay true to your own principles - don't follow other people - and you'll be much better off than the 'friends' you speak of in both the short and long term future.

 

[dParis]

Both here, but niether in excess. If you consider 2 packs of cigarettes per week moderate. The problem is, I NEED those cigs. I wish I never picked them up. The cigarette can find even the smallest chink in your will.

Haven't touched MJ in a very long time and don't miss it at all. IMHO it's a waste of time. You're not missing anything.

Drinking, on the other hand, I rather enjoy. A bottle of fine cabernet over a well prepared dinner with friends is a great way to spend an evening. Beer and an occasional hard cocktail too. It's a matter of taste, and I don't mind the buzz either. Not that I get buzzed every time I drink.

Of course moderation and staying in controll is what's important.

 

[caesar66]

I do both. Probably a beer every night/every other night, I dont really get drunk (the days of sowing wild oats are behind me). I like a good cigar once a week too, with a nice highball. But if you havent tried either then I'd recommend not trying them. No matter what, they aren't going to help you with anything.

 

[max]

You know, it's a growing-up thing. . . drinking in order to get drunk, and so forth.

After a while, say age 22, you look pretty silly doing it. People start remarking on your immaturity amongst themselves, if you're still "partying" at that age. Not so much from a "when is he going to grow up" perspective, so much as "gee, hasn't he learned that partying doesn't do that much for you?"

 

[hollywood9826]

I drink occasioanlly. Tried a cig once and coughed terribly. I took my bodies hint it didnt want that crap in it so out it stayed.

I was never once one to drink to get drunk (except in Korea, but I dont drink liquor anymore). Now I only drink beer and thats cuz it tastes good.

 

[SempreSami]

Drinking for the sake of it is so laaaaaaame.

 

[SlapShot]

I smoke when I drink, which is probably 2-3 times per month, and rarely into any level of excess. A couple of black and tans on a Friday night out with the guys lets me unwind after a week at the office.

 

[westside]

Never touched a Cig and i don't plan too.

And i only drink at party's and i would only have something like 2 beers. I hate drinking to get drunk

 

[randomname]

Unfortunately, particularly with young people - they attempt to justify what they are doing by getting others to do it, too.
It's just a highly immature game.
What drugs and booze 'give' you is artificial. There is no sense of fulfillment or accomplishment that goes with it. To feel 'relaxed' through artificial means is, in my view, cowardly, and serves only to reveal both one's incapability of being relaxed on one's own, as well as one's utter desperation. Neither are enviable traits.

Stay true to your own principles - don't follow other people - and you'll be much better off than the 'friends' you speak of in both the short and long term future.

Some might say that anonymously sitting up on a high horse passing down judgements so you can feel better about yourself is also an "artificial high"

 

[jmverdugo]

I do drink but probably one time a month top, unless I am with the South Florida Chapter when I never stop doing it . I used to smoke but never got hooked and only bought maybe ten packs of cigarretes in my life.

I have to say though that I used to drink a lot, really a lot, if I were living anywhere else in the world I would had to go to AA, more than one time I end up in my car over a curve not knowing how I end up there, seriously. One day I got tired of blackouts and not remember anything the day after, but mostly I got tired of all the wasted time while and after drinking, that is maybe the only thing I repent in my life. And one day I stoped drinking and did not took a sip of anything with alcohol for a good 4 years untill my wedding where I did drink but to my surprise I did not got drunk and was actually controlling my drinking. After that I only drink maybe 2 times a month, sometimes not even that. I think getting drunk is an experince you should have, but not every day nor every week or month. I always remember the song that says: "when I think of all the good times that I have wasted having good times".

 

[Feña14]

Drink everyday (but not to get drunk).
Smoke a pack a week.

 

[CCNM]

I drink-have to be very careful though-red wine is my downfall. I don't smoke but every month or so I buy a flavored cigar and savor it.

 

[Blask]

I smoked cigs for 10+ years and quit about 3 months ago. It's very tough to do but I am greatful I stopped when I did.

I do drink, not like I'm in college, but I go out generally once a week with friends and get after it pretty good. I leave a bottle of water and some advil/aleve by the bed and make sure I take it before sleeping or else I'll feel it the next day.

 

[Deuce]

Some might say that anonymously sitting up on a high horse passing down judgements so you can feel better about yourself is also an "artificial high"

^ Some might say that that's nothing more than a cowardly cheap shot, void of substance.

Good to see that you saw yourself in my accurate post.

 

[Lakoste]

Don't smoke, rarely drink anymore.

I have a tough time comprehending how league/college players will practice everyday, eat healthy, then go out and drink. You have to make sacrifices if you want to be the best you can be, drinking is one of them.

 

[topspin]

I've never smoked cigarettes or done any drugs. I drink a glass of wine here and there. I have never got drunk or even come close to doing so. I've never been tempted to drink or get high.

The key is to be strong enough to put up with some taunting by those you consider friends right now. But in a few years, you will likely not even keep in touch with any of the people who are trying to convince you to drink/smoke.

You seem determined to live a healthy life. That is very commendable and it's nice to see that you're not just following the crowd.

 

[Geezer Guy]

I smoked (cig's) quite a bit for about 20 years. I also "smoked" in college, but not after that.

I have a beer or two most evenings, but I can't remember the last time I got drunk (no pun intended).


If you're young, stay away from both. If you're an adult, stay away from smokes and only drink in moderation.

 

[Kobble]

I don't smoke, and rarely consume alcohol. I partied in highschool, but gave that crap up. Alcohol was fun, for a while, just to see how much you could guzzle down. Then, one day, I drank so much that I passed out. After that, I started losing interest. I got puke drunk one more time on a vacation, and that was it. It gets boring, quick.

Weed, in my opinion, sucks. I had more fun making myself dizzy as a kid, which was free, and legal, but hurt sometimes. When I think about it, I believe weed is for lazy bums looking for an excuse to act stupid. Someone, who got me to smoke it (I was in 2nd grade) once told me that smoking weed is like smoking grass on the lawn. I agree, just pick the grass off your lawn.

 

[mhstennis100]

^^^ Wait you smoked weed in second grade?

 

[Hot Sauce]

I drink, but will never smoke a cig in my life.

 

[mozzer]

I drink not very regularly, just at partys, maybe once a month, probably less.

 

[BestLefty UK]

I drink, but will never smoke a cig in my life.

I'm the same... Will never smoke in my life but might knock back a few Corona's ;-)

 

[stormholloway]

My friends tell me all the time that smoking (almost all the time weed) gives you a high, makes you feel good, lets you unwind and feel more confident.

Haven't heard that one before.

 

[Serendipitous]

I am 17 years of age and I do not, nor will I ever, partake in the consumption of alcohol or the inhalation of cigarette smoke (unless it is second-hand smoke by accident).

 

[Tofi]

never really consume much alchol or anything and have never smoked.

 

[ODYSSEY Mk.4]

Don't smoke.
Though I enjoy a hearty Blue Moon here and there.

 

[NickC]

I smoke on average 2-3 times a week (pot), and I've taken about 2 or 3 drags of a cigarette in my entire life. Cigarettes are disgusting, IMO. I don't drink that much anymore, as I'm trying to give up hard liquor for good (I hate the stuff, to be honest), but since I do work part-time at a pub, I enjoy a good beer. Nothing like local crap, but a good pint of a European (my two favorite Euro beers are Guiness and 1906) or a South American (my favorite is Quilmis) import is good from time to time.

 

[Geezer Guy]

Don't smoke.
Though I enjoy a hearty Blue Moon here and there.

Yep, that's a good beer.

I remember I used to smoke pot in college. One of the side-effects of pot is that it makes you paranoid and kills brain cells. Well, my roomie and I both smoked and we each had our own stash. We'd get high and decide we'd need to hide our weed from the other guy, but then we couldn't remember where we hid it. We were great friends (still are, pretty much) but we'd each accuse the other of stealing our stuff (when it wasn't where we THOUGHT we'd hid it) and we'd have these big arguements. Then, a couple days later we'd find the stash tucked inside a role of socks or something. Ahhh, good times.

 

[Kobble]

^^^ Wait you smoked weed in second grade?

The game Track and Field for Nintendo was out. I thought second grade was right. No less than 1st, and no later than 3rd. My friend who was in about 2 grades higher, found his father's pot. A bunch of people started rolling huge joints and mixing all sorts of liqour. I had tried a cigarette before, a puff or two, so it was no big deal to me at the time. I remember telling my mother like it was nothing. I asked, "What's pot?" She was like, it is a drug. I was like, oh, because I just smoked some. HAHA! She told me not to do that anymore, and I never became a pot-head. I had good friends, right? LOL When I was not even in school, like 4 years old, some neighborhood kids took me aside and told me to call some black newpaper salesmen a tar-baby, after that the N-word. I didn't know what that stuff mean't. "Friends," gotta' love 'em.

 

[Patrick_St]

I do not drink or smoke. I also don't consume any caffeine at all anymore. I have no tattoos or piercings either. I also do not swear very much at all. Do I win the title for the most straight-edge person?

 

[mawashi]

I do not drink or smoke. I also don't consume any caffeine at all anymore. I have no tattoos or piercings either. I also do not swear very much at all. Do I win the title for the most straight-edge person?

You win... nothing but you do win the award for a best avatar LOL!

mawashi

 

[Patrick_St]

You win... nothing but you do win the award for a best avatar LOL!

mawashi

Thank you!

 

[BDAZ]

funny that you mention the term "straight edge". my close friends were totally straight edge in high school and college. all through college. all claimed that they didn't need stuff like alcohol and weed to have a good time. didn't believe in putting that stuff in your body. then, the first new years after school, they all started drinking. i never really asked them why all of a sudden they changed their "beliefs". they went from nothing to boozing it up pretty hard on the weekends, at times. kind of living up those years spent not drinking in college. they smoke on occasion. not that drinking is the be all, end all of having fun in college, but i think back and wonder what school would have been like if i weren't the only one drinking. i didn't nearly drink as hard or often as others that i knew, but i did tie one on more than a few times. drinking definitely lowers your inhabitions, which has its pluses and minuses. you can have a lot of fun, but also get into a lot of trouble and do stupid, stupid things. you really have to try things for yourself and decide. nothing in excess is good. never, ever drive when under the influence. only bad things can happen. i guy i know now drove home after a new year's party this year. as far as i know, a pretty straight guy, not an alcoholic by any means. had a little too much, got pulled over, lost his license for three months and has to go to some kind of classes. quite honestly, i like the feeling of being drunk. everything is funny to me. what i don't like is the next day. feeling like $#!+, being sick and hung over. that's why i don't do it much anymore. plus, you go out for a night and blow $60 or so. i'd rather buy a racquet, you know? anyhow, just some thoughts.

 

[stormholloway]

Americans are so funny, living in such a world of extremes. Alcohol is not going to hurt you. It's up to you to either have a good time or have a bad time with it.

 

[Geezer Guy]

I do not drink or smoke. I also don't consume any caffeine at all anymore. I have no tattoos or piercings either. I also do not swear very much at all. Do I win the title for the most straight-edge person?

Don't forget - you don't speed, don't write hot checks, and you're a virgin too.

 

[ollinger]

Alcohol actually IS going to hurt you, if you have more than one drink on a given day. Study done in your own Italy, storm, shows increased rate of dementia in those who have two or more drinks a day (usual definition of a drink: 12 ounces beer, 5 ounces wine, 1.5 ounces liquor), not to mention the liver and cardiac damage. Marijuana? See the Archives of General Psychiatry, July or August 2008, to see the bad news about brain cell death. One drink a day seems to be OK with respect to health.

 

[Patrick_St]

Don't forget - you don't speed, don't write hot checks, and you're a virgin too.

I don't go more than five miles over the speed limit, I don't write checks period, and I definitely am not a virgin.