Does anyone NOT do drugs?

[Inkedup]

Other than coffee and the occasional beer...nope :)

Even if I were inclined to smoke, I would not do so on account of having asthma/allergy issues.

[Kaikou]

I indulge in caffeine, because it is culturally significant. Otherwise no to all.

[turketron]

  Chocolate has more than one chemical that has euphoric effects upon the human body, but no known nutritional benefits.  So I eat chocolate to feel good, but eat meat of any quality (primarily) for nutritional benefits.  There is no ambiguity here.

http://www.med.umich.edu/umim/food-pyramid/dark_chocolate.html

[jollygreen23]

The largest group I know of that avoids the use of recreational drugs are Mormons.  Church doctrine includes the https://www.lds.org/topics/word-of-wisdom which prohibits the use of alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee.

"When people purposefully take anything harmful into their bodies, they are not living in harmony with the Word of Wisdom. Illegal drugs can especially destroy those who use them. The abuse of prescription drugs is also destructive spiritually and physically."

When I served as a missionary in Taiwan, I taught and baptized many families.  There was always some culture shock when they realized we were actually serious about the 'no tea' thing.

Caffeine is not explicitly prohibited, but many who believe it to be harmful or addictive avoid it as much as the explicitly stated substances. I had caffeinated soda a few times in my childhood and reacted very poorly to it.  For me (personally), it is a harmful substance.  I don't have actual numbers, but I'd guess that at least half the Mormons in America avoid caffeine.

I'm a Mormon and I don't use caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, etc. I save a bundle. ;)

[horsepoor]

The largest group I know of that avoids the use of recreational drugs are Mormons.  Church doctrine includes the https://www.lds.org/topics/word-of-wisdom which prohibits the use of alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee.

Yep, lots of Mormons around here and they're the only ones I can think of who don't drink alcohol.  However, apparently caffeinated sodas get a pass by most.  Perhaps it's apocryphal, but I've heard that Utah has the highest per-capita Mt. Dew consumption, and then there is Ephedra, AKA Mormon Tea, so there are loopholes, I guess.

[jollygreen23]

I've never heard Ephedra. Must be a Utah Mormon thing?

[horsepoor]

Ephedra is a fairly common plant in the mountain west and the original source for the stimulant ephedrine, which was a popular ingredient in OTC diet drugs.  Now apparently banned for over ten years, so maybe that is why you've never heard of it.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephedra

[MayDay]

I disagree with your premise because tea does in fact have many health benefits.  Are those canceled out by it having caffeine?  Is decaf tea a drug?  It does have a little residual caffeine. 

Many Mormons who don't drink tea or coffee have wicked diet coke habits according to Mormon mommy blogs, lol. 

[grantmeaname]

Is there a point to this thread other than smugness? What insights about society was this supposed to inspire?

[grantmeaname]

no medical drugs for about 10 years(no nyquil or pills etc.). I did have something injected into my gums when I had my wisdom teeth pulled out about 5 years ago, but I didn't take any of the prescribed pain pills afterwards. I will allow doctors to give me medicine if it's an emergency or if they tell me their are permanent consequences if I don't use the medicine, otherwise I don't see a point in wasting the money/allowing possible side effects.

Man, I don't understand how this even belongs in the same conversation. I have relatively mild chronic pain, and I'm at the end of my life where it's least severe and I can manage it somewhat with my lifestyle, and I still would suffer a dramatically reduced quality of life without a weak opioid to take as needed for the breakthrough pain. What does that even have to do with recreational drug use?

[Pigeon]

I disagree with your premise because tea does in fact have many health benefits.  Are those canceled out by it having caffeine?  Is decaf tea a drug?  It does have a little residual caffeine. 

Many Mormons who don't drink tea or coffee have wicked diet coke habits according to Mormon mommy blogs, lol.

Coffee also has several health benefits as well, including lower the risk of dementia, Parkinson's, heart attack and stroke (for women, especially).  Utah has the highest rate of antidepressant usage in the country. 

[Kaikou]

no medical drugs for about 10 years(no nyquil or pills etc.). I did have something injected into my gums when I had my wisdom teeth pulled out about 5 years ago, but I didn't take any of the prescribed pain pills afterwards. I will allow doctors to give me medicine if it's an emergency or if they tell me their are permanent consequences if I don't use the medicine, otherwise I don't see a point in wasting the money/allowing possible side effects.

Man, I don't understand how this even belongs in the same conversation. I have relatively mild chronic pain, and I'm at the end of my life where it's least severe and I can manage it somewhat with my lifestyle, and I still would suffer a dramatically reduced quality of life without a weak opioid to take as needed for the breakthrough pain. What does that even have to do with recreational drug use?

Grumpy much?

[Russ]

I used to do drugs...

[grantmeaname]

Grumpy much?

Nope, just genuinely confused.

[babysnowbyrd]

Today I learned that my sodas make me recreational drug user.

[undercover]

Is it really unusual? Drugs have never appealed to me - in fact, I find them pretty repulsive. People who use them regularly honestly tend to come across as losers and life-screwups to me - not really the type of people I want to surround myself with.

Many people turn to drugs after they've already found success in life. For them, I don't think it's about "screwing up" as much as it is not being able to find meaning in life anymore and becoming depressed.

[Russ]

Or having fun cause they don't have to give a fuck anymore? Jeez so many negative assumptions ITT

[Zikoris]

Is it really unusual? Drugs have never appealed to me - in fact, I find them pretty repulsive. People who use them regularly honestly tend to come across as losers and life-screwups to me - not really the type of people I want to surround myself with.

Many people turn to drugs after they've already found success in life. For them, I don't think it's about "screwing up" as much as it is not being able to find meaning in life anymore and becoming depressed.

And they're free to do that. People who handle their life problems that way are just not a good fit for me, and I don't want them in my life. Fortunately, there are plenty of druggies around to hang out with each other!

[maco]

I don't drink alcohol or smoke. I have the occasional cup of tea. Lately I've been having tea most days at the office to warm up my hands. Coffee is disgusting.

[maco]

a diet very low in salt isn't better than a diet high in salt.  Not sure that you could call NaCl a drug . . .

Ah, yes, salt: the anti-fainting drug!

[MoonShadow]

a diet very low in salt isn't better than a diet high in salt.  Not sure that you could call NaCl a drug . . .

Ah, yes, salt: the anti-fainting drug!

Uh, that would be "smelling salts", which is ammonium-carbonate, not sodium-chloride.

[maco]

a diet very low in salt isn't better than a diet high in salt.  Not sure that you could call NaCl a drug . . .

Ah, yes, salt: the anti-fainting drug!

Uh, that would be "smelling salts", which is ammonium-carbonate, not sodium-chloride.

I'm not talking about undoing a faint that's already happened. I'm talking about preventing fainting. When your blood pressure drops too low after you stand up, you faint (or at least the whole world goes black, starting from peripheral vision in my experience, and you lose your balance). If you keep your blood pressure high enough by getting enough salt in your diet, you don't, barring autonomic dysfunction disorders.

Seriously, a doctor told me to carry Nuun salt tabs with me to give me blood pressure boosts when necessary to stave off dizzy spells and fainting.

[MBot]

On a regular basis, or at all?

I know lots of people that don't touch alcohol or caffeine, because they simply don't like either of them -- or they have attention issues that caffeine makes worse. Not for any "moral" reason or anything, just it doesn't treat them well.

My husband doesn't regularly use anything at all - even tea or coffee - for his normal days. For him all I can think of is he'll drink pop or beer once a month.

I have caffeine a few days a week, but I don't need it to function. I did in the past, and that was terrible.

[ahoy]

I've been cutting down my caffeine, now it's every 2nd day. 

 My husband and I drink red wine, but we haven't had any in just over a year.  I have no interest in it right now.  I suppose we will eventually get around to buying a bottle. 

No illegal drugs or cigarettes for me.  I don't move in those circles, so I don't know anyone either.  No, I'm not Mormon but Christian.

[FrogStash]

I wonder if tea really is considered a recreational drug given all the health benefits.   I personally cannot think of anyone that doesn't at least use caffeine.  Even kids do. 

You might consider Donald Trump.   I don't know if he uses caffeine but he is adamant opposed to tobacco, alcohol and recreational drugs for himself and kids.

Unless Botox is considered a recreational drug.

[purple monkey]

No, none.

[lifejoy]

I drink alcohol very occasional. Sometimes I also use caffeine. But that's about it.

Same here. Can I also count sugar as a drug?

[Bob W]

My coworker just told me her 65+ parents are taking a weed tourism trip to CO!  Funny and ironic as our state is a top producer. 

[Marus]

I disagree with your premise because tea does in fact have many health benefits.  Are those canceled out by it having caffeine?  Is decaf tea a drug?  It does have a little residual caffeine. 

Many Mormons who don't drink tea or coffee have wicked diet coke habits according to Mormon mommy blogs, lol.

Coffee also has several health benefits as well, including lower the risk of dementia, Parkinson's, heart attack and stroke (for women, especially).  Utah has the highest rate of antidepressant usage in the country.

I think they also have the highest rate of STDs in the country haha.

[Marus]

I was gonna type up a long reply on how even separating substances into drugs vs. non-drugs is an exercise into reaffirming your biases, but I think this quote says it better:

There’s nothing wrong with smoking pot, any more than there’s anything wrong with drinking beer. The question is always one of time, place, person, quantity, circumstance, intention, and behavior.

[nereo]

I'm surprised that no one here has argued the entire topic based on an artificial premise.  It reminds me of a false-question we put to our first-year undergraduates every year, where they have explain why we should avoid using all chemicals around small children.  The point of the exercise is to make them realize that just about everything is a chemical.

Similarly, the term "drug" is about wide open.  One defintion: a medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body.

A substance can be just about anything.  And anything our body metabolizes (or not) can have a physiological effect.  This includes prescription drugs and illegal drugs, as well as things like caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and other substances mentioned up-thread.  but wait! sugar (particularly processed sugar absent fiber) can give you a sugar rush.  Everything from coconut milk to olive oil can serve as a laxative, cloves are a numbing agent, omega-3s (like from Salmon or fish oil) act as an antinflammatory, garlic is an antineoplastic... etc. etc.  It's pretty hard to find something you ingest which doesn't alter the body in some way. 

So - my point is - as soon as you open the door past "pharmaceutical-produced substances" you've let the cow out of the barn.  You can't claim dark chocolate and tea is a drug because it has caffeine but somehow make exceptions for foods with basil, thyme and garlic.

[Marus]

I'm surprised that no one here has argued the entire topic based on an artificial premise.  It reminds me of a false-question we put to our first-year undergraduates every year, where they have explain why we should avoid using all chemicals around small children.  The point of the exercise is to make them realize that just about everything is a chemical.

Similarly, the term "drug" is about wide open.  One defintion: a medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body.

A substance can be just about anything.  And anything our body metabolizes (or not) can have a physiological effect.  This includes prescription drugs and illegal drugs, as well as things like caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and other substances mentioned up-thread.  but wait! sugar (particularly processed sugar absent fiber) can give you a sugar rush.  Everything from coconut milk to olive oil can serve as a laxative, cloves are a numbing agent, omega-3s (like from Salmon or fish oil) act as an antinflammatory, garlic is an antineoplastic... etc. etc.  It's pretty hard to find something you ingest which doesn't alter the body in some way. 

So - my point is - as soon as you open the door past "pharmaceutical-produced substances" you've let the cow out of the barn.  You can't claim dark chocolate and tea is a drug because it has caffeine but somehow make exceptions for foods with basil, thyme and garlic.

Thank you for this! 

Our country has been steeped in anti-drug rhetoric for so long that I think what should be an interesting and fun topic (how can we alter our bodies and minds by introducing foreign substances) too often gets turned into a shaming session.  I'm fine with people who want to go to extraordinary lengths to avoid introducing foreign substances into their body.  I just wish they would consistently frame it as a matter of personal preference instead of as some profound moral stand. 

[mtn]

The one that I probably couldn't give up is caffeine. I get headaches without it.

I love alcohol though. I have probably about 3-14 drinks a week, averaging about 5 a week. It takes the edge off, and I've learned to know be responsible with it. I don't smoke or chew or dip, other than maybe 2 cigars a year that I don't really puff on at all.

If it were legal, I'd be first in line for some mary jane--that being said, I wouldn't partake more than 2 or 3 times a month at the most.

[Mr Money Mutton Chops]

I occasionally use caffeine and alcohol, but in low amounts since I'm about five times as sensitive to caffeine as anyone else I know and at least twice as sensitive to alcohol as the average person, but that's it for me. I don't like the thought of testing anything else, given I'm super sensitive to the two things I tested.

[EarlyStart]

I drink coffee and use an electronic cigarette.


I'm 3.5 years sober from an alcohol/drug addiction that was going to kill me before 30, though. I'm  incredibly grateful that I no longer need those things, and I hope to God I never go back.

[Killerbrandt]

I drink a ton of caffeine, but my wife doesn't do any drugs. She does have Green tea in the morning, but I would not count that.

[GuitarStv]

You know there's caffeine in Green tea, right?

[Killerbrandt]

You know there's caffeine in Green tea, right?

Yeah, but I think the benefits out way it big time. But I guess overall, yup, we both do drugs according to OP hahaha

[teadirt]

It's interesting to me that just about every poster has a different idea of what counts as a drug!

As for me, I use 'drugs' and almost everyone I know does as well. Can't think of an example of someone who doesn't off the top of my head. Then again, I would count caffeinated soda, or *gasp* green tea, as a powerful mind-altering drug.

[arebelspy]

Do you know someone who does not use any recreational drugs* on a habitual/normal basis?

*"recreational drug" being construed as including alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine, as well as other more typical "recreational drugs" (pot, narcotics, amphetamines, cocaine, hallucinogens, etc.).

I have a really hard time thinking of someone who is actually not a drug user. You?

I don't consume alcohol or caffeine on a habitual or normal basis.  I have never tried illegal drugs, or tobacco, or been drunk.

A decade ago (high school/college), I drank lots of caffeine, but not in years.  Now I'll have a glass of soda once or twice a month, but I wouldn't call that habitual/normal.

I can't think of anything I do consume regularly as something that most people would agree is a "drug."

I am for legalizing pretty much all drugs, however.

[Loretta]

Moi!

Do you know someone who does not use any recreational drugs* on a habitual/normal basis?

*"recreational drug" being construed as including alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine, as well as other more typical "recreational drugs" (pot, narcotics, amphetamines, cocaine, hallucinogens, etc.).

I have a really hard time thinking of someone who is actually not a drug user. You?

[MoonShadow]

If anything this thread has shown that there are many people who don't do 'drugs'.

That is not at all what I got out of this thread.

[scrubbyfish]

Me. I do have a coffee about once a week or less, and black tea or plain cocoa about once a day, though. I might push myself to have half a glass a wine every few months.

I just don't care about alcohol. re: Drugs, I don't take risks with the law while raising a kid alone. (What happens when my new prime minister legalizes pot?? haha, I don't think I'll suddenly start craving it. Or want to drive while on it. Or experience the reactions to it that I did those handful of times in my 20s.)

The sensitive among us can easily be turned off all such things, whether we want to be or not!

[MoonShadow]

Me. I do have a coffee about once a week or less, and black tea or plain cocoa about once a day, though. I might push myself to have half a glass a wine every few months.

I just don't care about alcohol. re: Drugs, I don't take risks with the law while raising a kid alone.

The OP, and this thread, has been about the recreational use of drugs.  Whether or not they were legal drugs or not is irrelevant to the original topic.  You have contradicted yourself, because caffeine is a drug that is consumed almost entirely recreationally.  The only medicinal use of caffeine that I'm aware of is the suppression of certain types of migraines, and that is really uncommon.

Also, alcohol is a drug, even when you don't consume it very often.

[scrubbyfish]

The OP, and this thread, has been about the recreational use of drugs.  Whether or not they were legal drugs or not is irrelevant to the original topic.

Yes.

I just thought we were free to share our reasons, our experiences, our ponderings, as well :)

You have contradicted yourself, because caffeine is a drug that is consumed almost entirely recreationally.  The only medicinal use of caffeine that I'm aware of is the suppression of certain types of migraines, and that is really uncommon.

Also, alcohol is a drug, even when you don't consume it very often.

Yes.

Your reply reminds me of the beautiful Walt Whitman quote...

Were you upset about the nuances described in my post, and in those of others here?

[MoonShadow]

Nope.  I'm upset that you claim that you don't do drugs, and then go on to describe how often you do so.  It's not a matter of nuance.  It's a matter of contradiction.  It's like, here in the United States, Mormons will very proudly tell me that they don't consume any recreational drugs, including caffeine, and then mention that they occasionally have "Mormon tea", and not just when they have a cold.  They are self-deluded and it's irritating.  Are you self-deluded also?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephedra

[RootofGood]

Per your definition I'm not a habitual drug user.  I rarely drink any more (maybe 1 drink per week or per month on average).  I used to drink 1 cup of coffee per day but gave that up in June.  Today is the first day I've had more than a sip of coffee (had about 4-6 oz).  No recreational drug use for almost 20 years (quit when I was 15-16 I think - memory is a little hazy ;) ).  edit to add: I'm not religious at all; in fact quite the opposite

I know some people that don't drink or do any drugs, but consume coffee to stay pepped up and energized. 

[scrubbyfish]

Nope.  I'm upset that you claim that you don't do drugs, and then go on to describe how often you do so.  It's not a matter of nuance.  It's a matter of contradiction.  It's like, here in the United States, Mormons will very proudly tell me that they don't consume any recreational drugs, including caffeine, and then mention that they occasionally have "Mormon tea", and not just when they have a cold.  They are self-deluded and it's irritating.  Are you self-deluded also?

I'm sure I'm self-deluded in some things; all humans are, no?

The thread opened with quite a few variances: Two distinct questions (one in the title, another in the opening post, which is the one I was attempting to respond to), then an arbitrary definition of what drugs are, etc. Those didn't worry me at all; it was just an intro to a conversation and well-enough presented. I think it's okay to respond to any aspect, share one's own definition of drug, define "regularly" or "habitual" as daily or weekly vs every so often, etc.

I'm totally okay with you and me saying I do drugs regularly/habitually, if we want to count my almost-daily black tea even without migraines, the weekly-or-so cup of coffee, the cocoa I use in recipes, and the half a glass of wine I push myself to drink on occasion, absolutely.

[Bearded Man]

Strange no one posted that they do meth and heroin daily.

[golden1]

Me.

I have never smoked a cigarette, a joint, had a drink or done any other narcotic outside of a prescription dose of vicodin for a wisdom tooth extraction (and that made me sick to my stomach so I only took the first dose then switched to OTC stuff). 
I made this decision at the age of 10 when I realized my dad was an alcoholic.  Getting older and seeing other family members succumb to drug addiction and alcoholism just made me more at peace with that decision.

It's funny.  People can't wrap their heads around someone who has never taken a drink for non-religious reasons.  I have had people just grill me about it, even after I have told them about my bad family history.  Sometimes I wish that I had the confidence to responsibly use alcohol, just because I have a lot of social anxiety, but it isn't really necessary and not worth the risk IMO.