Sympathy for Drug Addicts?
 

I have always had changing views on this subject. People say the having an addiction to a drug is a disease. But usually most people decide to do certain drugs themselves and soend their own money on it.
I do like weed but would never spend money on buying it, just seems counterproductive to me, I have a million more things than need to be paid off or bought first.

My outlook has usually been, you have too much money and free time if your a drug addict. Get your booty in gear. Not a positive outlook I must say. But I would like to get some feedback on the subject to help me consider other possiblities. But I have had friends and people close to me die from drug addiction, so I know it is easy to fall far fast.

*Let me clarify, I'm only talking about drugs OTC or illegal, not alcohol, because that's a whole new thread *

well, you have to consider that most people don't say "hey, i'm gonna spend all of my extra time and money on my drug addiction." it's more of a "i'll try it" and then snowballs into an addiction. once addicted it takes over their life and it consumes everything, time, money, etc.

once you're hooked, without help, it's incredibly difficult to kick it and "get their ass in gear". the people that can do that probably don't use/get hooked in the first place.

i think drug addiction is like a disease, one which people shoudl get help for. i don't think users should get thrown in jail (dealers, yeah, but not users, get them help).

Sympathy yes, but I'm realistic about it. My mom was a full-blown alcoholic for years. She eventually got a DUI and got thrown in jail and then did something about it. She has been sober for 18 years now. People have to want to do something about it before recovery programs can help. However, my sympathy also goes out to the family members that have to put up with the addiction. It has an adverse effect on their lives as well.

skysooner, you are right, the saying "you only hurt the ones you love," rings so true concerning this issue.

Also wondering if anyone has seen the movies "Trainspotting" or "Requiem for a Dream" have those films influenced how you view drug use?

they influence my drug use.............not at all.

they are movies, after all, and a bit exaggerated at that. besides, all drugs are harmful, the "key" (and the thing that's sooo difficult) is moderation

Yep, I agree...well, I think users should be fined, too, but hardly ever thrown into jail.

I got no sympathy for anyone using or addicted to recreational drugs, any harm that they cause themselves are from there own doings.

My view is legalise all drugs. As adults i believe we should make our own decisions in life, whether they are harmful or not its our life our body our decision, not some polition tell us yes or no.

I dont see how having any of these drugs illegal, have made any sort of difference wat so ever apart from filling up drug dealers pockets full of cash....

*remains quiet and passes to the left *

*takes a big hit* cheeeeeers mate

I've always classed them as recreational (Ecstasy, speed, LSD etc) and hardcore (heroin, crack, etc). Recreational use doesn't tend to be addictive, certainly not as addictive as the harder drugs. I count alcohol, tobacco and weed as semi-drugs - i.e. yes they are drugs, but everyone does them so its ok.

I think it's like mental illness - hard to define what's ill and what's normal but not a good idea.

i think that sympathy is something that is required.
i know a lot of people who turn to drugs because of depression and whatnot, and end up addicted. If you said to one of them 'get your frickin ass in gear and snap out of it' all your likely to do is send them spiralling further.
however, you need something to get them off the drugs, sort out the underlying problems.

it all depends on the reasons and the user, addiction isn't a generalistation, it's a personal thing most of the time.

Some people I have sympathy for. Others - it's hard to feel any sympathy for them. A neighbor got help from so many people who cared about her and her 5 kids. They tried everything. The only thing that finally helped her at all was she was arrested and her kids taken away. She wasn't even allowed to see them if she failed to go to one meeting or counseling session. She wasn't even allowed to leave the jail until she attended enough sessions and went long enough without drugs to have gone through the withdrawl. I know how much people helped her because some of those people were my friends and myself. None of us MADE her do anything either. She kept asking for out help. Someone helped her get a job and another provided transportation for her (since she lost her liscense for DUI and later her car was impounded). She worked the job for a few weeks, got her first paycheck, and disappeared for a week. Lef the kids and everything. The kids were 3,4,5 yrs old and up. Finally after a week she came back, with a new boyfriend Chicago. Ends up the boyfriend was wanted for murder. Her life was so messed up and drugs were only a part of the picture but she ended up in bad situations cause she wanted the money or help to get more drugs.

If someone tells me that they really do want help in kicking the habit. I'll sympathize and help. If they just use and abuse people like she did. Then they loose all sympathy. It's not about the use. It's about the attitude that they have toward use.

If it's a problem, then alcohol is just the same as any other drug - not a lot of fun. I used smack for about 12 years and gave up 8 years ago. Now I drink. Hopefully I'll stop before it kills me.

Sympathy - depends on the circumstances. It's a bit odd to have a rule on the matter.

I have no sympathy unless they got tricked into doing it the first time (not likely). Its my fault I'm hooked on some things, and I dont expect anyone to feel sorry for me. Its like those people that sued McDonalds for making them fat.