Europe and Russia out drink us all.....America way behind.

[wagerjunction]

I don't know why but I feel the dope competition would crown Jamaica as champions! Or it could be just me being stereotypical

A tiny bit dear but no worries we won't hold it against you

Actually I do believe Jamaica could win a title when it comes to marijuana However when it comes to other types of dope, I don't think so.

[Gabriel_LCP]

haha yeah, I just meant marijuana though... Other types of dope I have no idea!

[wagerjunction]

Found these stats: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cr...-illicit-drugs

Don't know to which extent they can be relied upon but they do give a general idea.

[Renee]

If we are talking about party drugs and stuff, I reckon the Aussies could put the rest of the world to shame..

It seems like people here can't have fun without popping or snorting something. Makes me sick actually.

[grem]

Germans do drink more!

[giggles7p]

Renee, are you trying to say you have never smoked a blunt, joint, bong, bowl...etc???

Give me a couple of percocets...and i'm a happy camper! lol....brings back memories of younger, carefree times....

[wagerjunction]

If we are talking about party drugs and stuff, I reckon the Aussies could put the rest of the world to shame..

It seems like people here can't have fun without popping or snorting something. Makes me sick actually.

I know the feeling. Don't understand why some people have to be in an altered state to have fun. I prefer to stick to a couple of drinks from time to time

[TravG]

ultimatepokerbonus - when you say you think americans binge more, do you think thats because you guys have a lot more people than other countries so it looks like there are more binge drinkers?

No I think more so when people go out and drink in the states they DRINK! Or at least in my circle of friends and what i observe. Maybe only go out and drink 2 or 3 times a week but its on when you do go out.

[Amateur]

In college, I didn't drink much at all, and still don't for that maatter, but now marijuana, lsd were my drugs of choice...and I chose them quite often. Mescaline was my fav, and homemade mushroom tea was very good as well. But putting wine in a bong was my fav party favor. My friends were quite generous and enlightened about pharmaceuticals in those days...a couple are pharmacists and md's today. Makes me worry some about their clients, but mostly they are respectable now.

Nothing like taking a final under the influence of a pharmaceutical. I grew up with alcohol available at most times, and didn't like being around the folks who were doing thge drinking, so I wasn't attracted to it.

Those days are just fond memories before I had to go out into the big bad world and make my way.

Oh well, if ppl want to smoke a joint, I see it pretty much the same as if ppl want to drink a beer. I really don't see marijuana in the same light as hard drugs, even though I don't use any or drink myself anymore.

[Renee]

Renee, are you trying to say you have never smoked a blunt, joint, bong, bowl...etc???

Give me a couple of percocets...and i'm a happy camper! lol....brings back memories of younger, carefree times....

LOL not at all.. I've smoked weed twice when I was much younger. But I've never taken anything like ecstacy, coke, speed, lsd, acid, mushies, ice etc etc etc

I have the same opinion as amateur though - if someone is smoking a joint I just feel like they are drinking a beer. no biggie.

My ex boyfriend was a huge druggie.. He would go out every weekend and get out of his mind on drugs - any he could get his hands on.. and it affected me terribly in many ways, mentally as well as physically.. So whereas before I wouldn't have cared if people did it, as long as it doesn't affect my life, now I'm just not interested in being around someone at the time they are on it.. If they aren't on it, not fussed.. Just don't want to be around anyone at the time.

I've gone through phases of not drinking alcohol too.. Went 2.5 years when I was 19.. And legal age here is 18, so you can imagine at 19 you'd be out killing it on the booze.. Well I went a little too hardcore when I turned 18 and my dad threatened to put me into AA so I stopped for 2.5 years and i still went out partying.. Just no alcohol.. And I realised then that it's the company you keep thats the fun.

[NRLD]

Brilliant

[Gabriel_LCP]

I've gone through phases of not drinking alcohol too.. Went 2.5 years when I was 19.. And legal age here is 18, so you can imagine at 19 you'd be out killing it on the booze.. Well I went a little too hardcore when I turned 18 and my dad threatened to put me into AA so I stopped for 2.5 years and i still went out partying.. Just no alcohol.. And I realised then that it's the company you keep thats the fun.

Wow that's really great to hear! Is pretty hard to just stop drinking out of the blue... We get so used to having a drink when we are out at a party or bar that it seems tough to do, especially 2.5 years! I have to give you props Renee!

[wagerjunction]

I have the same opinion as amateur though - if someone is smoking a joint I just feel like they are drinking a beer. no biggie.

I think that must be the first time I don't agree with you Renee. Just like you had a really bad experience with your ex, I've live through the same since I've been with someone who was hooked on marijuana.

Couldn't think of anything else but where to get his next stash - Smoked morning, noon and night - wasted all his money and mine on buying **** - when there was no money he would threaten his mom to get some, even stole stuff and sold it to get some cash - when he was off it he would get very very violent. And the worse part of course was that he didn't see anything wrong with what he was doing and how it ruined everyone and everything around him

[Amateur]

I think that must be the first time I don't agree with you Renee. Just like you had a really bad experience with your ex, I've live through the same since I've been with someone who was hooked on marijuana.

Couldn't think of anything else but where to get his next stash - Smoked morning, noon and night - wasted all his money and mine on buying **** - when there was no money he would threaten his mom to get some, even stole stuff and sold it to get some cash - when he was off it he would get very very violent. And the worse part of course was that he didn't see anything wrong with what he was doing and how it ruined everyone and everything around him

Amy,
I hear you loud and clear. The thing is that ppl have the ability to obsess about almost anything...it's the person's personality that's the prob most times. Shopping or eating are common obsession and can be just as destructive as any drug. Gambling is another obsession, as well.

It wasn't necessarily the marijuana itself, so much as the obsessive nature of his personality. Not a physical addiction, such as with heroin or cocaine, methamphetamine or nicotine. I've even know ppl who were obsessed with anoher person, such as stalkers, or a nurse I knew who sacrificed her career stealing drugs for her husband even though she didn't use them herself.

No one can fix another's problems, regardless of the nature they take. That person has to recognize their own problem, and take steps to learn what they need to do to work on themselves.

The marijuana was just growing wild and someone discovered it could make ppl high. Like peyote cactus or poppy plants or coca plants and coffee beans.

[Renee]

I can totally see both sides here..

Amy - totally understand why you hate it.. I suppose alcohol to you would be like weed to me. I'm sure there is someone out there who has had an alcoholic in their life ruin it and they feel about alcohol as we feel about the drugs..

Which brings me to Amateurs comment about obsessions. I believe that some people who are addicted to things like drugs/alcohol etc are only addicted because they have an addictive personality. I'm convinced that this is why my ex was the way he was, for the reason that he would always tell me that he hated weed and that he would never smoke it because he had some bad experiences with it, until I started flushing all his pills/speed etc down the toilet and he knew I had no problem with weed because it had never affected me before, so he started smoking it thinking I wouldn't have a problem with it.

I actually once walked into the loungeroom where he was smoking it and I said "are you smoking weed?" and he lied to my face and said no, even though he had it in his hand. When I said "I can smell it and see it in your hand" he said "ok yes, but I didn't think you'd mind"....

So I think addictive personalities do exist.. I also think some people just get addicted.

Anyway just wanted to say I can understand why you'd hate it so much Amy.

Gabriel - I find it very easy to give things up.. During the time I stopped drinking I also stopped smoking... started again for a few years now have quit again for almost 2.5 years.

Since August last year (my birthday) I've only drank maybe 3-4 times. I find it really easy to give up alcohol..

And mcdonalds, which i love so much, i haven't had since new years eve

I've mentioned it before but theres a quit smoking ad on tv here that says "Willpower is like a muscle, the more you use it the stronger it gets" - and it's 100% true

[wagerjunction]

You are totally right, Renee and Amateur, addiction actually has to do more with the person's personality than with the substance itself, whatever it might be.

Personally I do not understand why people have to take stuff to get high - For my part, I am scared **** of altered states. When I was about 22 or so I got sick and my blood pressure was going bonkers. I switched from periods of hyperactivity to those of total lethargy. In the hyperactive periods it felt like I was on a high, bouncing here and there, unable to sit still. My heart would beat so fast, I was afraid it would stop dead any minute. The other times, it was like I was floating around, separated from my body, unable to control my thoughs or moves. I finally developped people-phobia and could not go out, if I had to I would be physically sick.

It took me the better part of 2 years to be back to my normal self. Since then, I've never enjoyed so much being in control of my own body and mind. Even now, if I drink a bit too much and start to feel woozy, I'll stick 2 fingers down my throat and take everything out

[Renee]

You are totally right, Renee and Amateur, addiction actually has to do more with the person's personality than with the substance itself, whatever it might be.

Personally I do not understand why people have to take stuff to get high - For my part, I am scared **** of altered states. When I was about 22 or so I got sick and my blood pressure was going bonkers. I switched from periods of hyperactivity to those of total lethargy. In the hyperactive periods it felt like I was on a high, bouncing here and there, unable to sit still. My heart would beat so fast, I was afraid it would stop dead any minute. The other times, it was like I was floating around, separated from my body, unable to control my thoughs or moves. I finally developped people-phobia and could not go out, if I had to I would be physically sick.

It took me the better part of 2 years to be back to my normal self. Since then, I've never enjoyed so much being in control of my own body and mind. Even now, if I drink a bit too much and start to feel woozy, I'll stick 2 fingers down my throat and take everything out

I'm with you Amy.. I don't understand it either, but it could be because I've never taken anything and don't know what it's like.. on the other hand I think ignorance is bliss

[wagerjunction]

I'm with you Amy.. I don't understand it either, but it could be because I've never taken anything and don't know what it's like.. on the other hand I think ignorance is bliss

Definitely agree with you on this.

[Amateur]

@ Renee - No wonder you haven't had trouble giving up chocolate!! It's not fair, I'm still going thru withdrawal, and have a desperate need for it from time to time. I'm working thru it tho...

@ Amy - I do understand what you mean, it's that I look at the person, rather than the drug or whatever they are abusing. My ex and I at least in part are no longer together b/c of his use of marijuana. He didn't smoke every day, but that was like another nail in the coffin for our marriage. I didn't want it to be around with my kids, and he and his friends using it around them.

Many states here are moving to de-criminalize marijuana, for medical purposes. I can't say that any more of a threat than liquor stores in every neighborhood. As Renee says, at some point it comes back to the person being responsible for what they do.

[Renee]

@ Renee - No wonder you haven't had trouble giving up chocolate!! It's not fair, I'm still going thru withdrawal, and have a desperate need for it from time to time. I'm working thru it tho...

Why do you think it's easy for me to give up chocolate?