Going Teetotal

[vanished]

By that term, I mean excluding alcohol, nicotene & drugs from your life completely. You don't need any of this shit to have a good quality of life. So what's your opinion? Are you one of those who depended on this shit to escape reality, only to realize that it eventually makes you feel like shit, so you gave it all up. And what do those people think of teetotalers, who can do this shit in moderation? If you drink/smoke occasionally and meet a partner who abstains from all this shit, do you think they're a boring fart? Even though they have done it all in the past, and can't do it in moderation. A good friend of mine hasn't touched alchohol for 5 years, when I ask him why, he says cos he's a alcoholic!!!

I think there's balance to all. I also think that some folks, like Mr. Richards for one, can smoke and snort and drink and shoot and poke and swallow and ingest to his heart's delight and he'll live on and on.

It does take a toll on the body, on the mind and on the wallet. It does however also serve to relieve tension, provide reward and create an illusionary gauze between the harsh realities of life and those tender mercies of our imagination.

To each his own and for those that party and can balance it with their lives, cool. For those that privately admit that they cannot and do something about it, even cooler.

But it also reminds me of when people get lung cancer.
Victim: "I got lung cancer!"
Concerned Citizen: "Did you smoke?"
Victim: (narrowing gaze, pausing) "Yeah..."
Heugonot: "Well there you go!"

I think to vilify someone because they enjoy the effects of smoking or drugs or alcohol is disingenuous. Judge ye not lest ye be judged. As long as that person is not hurting someone else (a family, friends, etc.), then let them be - and again, William Burroughs. And again, so many functional smokers, drunks and drug users. Yes, users.

But one thing I do think should be judged: keep them from your kids.

[Coroner]

I had a one-year break with nicotine, felt damn good and had no need for the shit. I don´t what happened I´m planning to stop smoking in a couple of days...... I´m not really drinking, only two beers sometimes when I´m going to see some concerts. Yeah, one doesn´t need the crap.

[whatsupwithat]

Clean and sober for 5 years here and my life has never been more fun. Hitting parties, clubs, performing...much better sober. It's been great and if you need to get high...dance.

[TJ347]

By that term, I mean excluding alcohol, nicotene & drugs from your life completely. You don't need any of this shit to have a good quality of life. So what's your opinion? Are you one of those who depended on this shit to escape reality, only to realize that it eventually makes you feel like shit, so you gave it all up. And what do those people think of teetotalers, who can do this shit in moderation? If you drink/smoke occasionally and meet a partner who abstains from all this shit, do you think they're a boring fart? Even though they have done it all in the past, and can't do it in moderation. A good friend of mine hasn't touched alchohol for 5 years, when I ask him why, he says cos he's a alcoholic!!!

I certainly agree that none of that is necessary, and congratulate anyone who puts cigarettes, alcohol and anything else behind them. However, I hate when some people who've done that then start in on how cigarettes should be made illegal. Why? Because you don't smoke anymore? If alcohol was illegal, it wouldn't bother me, because I usually drink only on July 4th and New Years' Eve. I do smoke on occasion, and enjoy it to be honest. But, it interferes with my working out, and as I've gotten more into it, I've found myself smoking far less, to the point I haven't had a cig in four days now. I'm dedicated to working out, so I don't see me buying cigarettes again, but never felt bad physically as a result of smoking, nor felt they helped me to escape reality. Maybe if I was a habitual weed smoker I'd feel differently about that last part, but that's another matter. Anyway, I'm sure you were talking more about alcohol and drugs there. Most people I know who've quit smoking have done so because a friend or family member died, usually from smoking related diseases. Some have quit because they didn't like feeling like "slaves" to big tobacco, and were spurred to quit by "truth.com" commercials and the like. I'm happy for them. Cigarettes, alcohol and all that shit is, in many respects, just a means of thinning the herd in my opinion.

[wombat33]

By that term, I mean excluding alcohol, nicotene & drugs from your life completely. You don't need any of this shit to have a good quality of life. So what's your opinion? Are you one of those who depended on this shit to escape reality, only to realize that it eventually makes you feel like shit, so you gave it all up. And what do those people think of teetotalers, who can do this shit in moderation? If you drink/smoke occasionally and meet a partner who abstains from all this shit, do you think they're a boring fart? Even though they have done it all in the past, and can't do it in moderation. A good friend of mine hasn't touched alchohol for 5 years, when I ask him why, he says cos he's a alcoholic!!!

Never drink....maybe one beer per yer on christmas eve.
Never Smoke
Never did any kind of drug in my life.


I feel younger than I am because of it.

[Chuck]

By that term, I mean excluding alcohol, nicotene & drugs from your life completely. You don't need any of this shit to have a good quality of life. So what's your opinion? Are you one of those who depended on this shit to escape reality, only to realize that it eventually makes you feel like shit, so you gave it all up. And what do those people think of teetotalers, who can do this shit in moderation? If you drink/smoke occasionally and meet a partner who abstains from all this shit, do you think they're a boring fart? Even though they have done it all in the past, and can't do it in moderation. A good friend of mine hasn't touched alchohol for 5 years, when I ask him why, he says cos he's a alcoholic!!!

Never drink....maybe one beer per yer on christmas eve.
Never Smoke
Never did any kind of drug in my life.


I feel younger than I am because of it.

Yeah, but you're addicted to shemale porn. Does that make you any better than the rest of the addicts???

You know I had to call you out on that one.

The wife and kids want to know when is the next time you're coming over. I said, "Fuck Uncle Wombat. He doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, and now he doesn't do internet porn anymore. He may as well be dead."

[TJT]

I quit using drugs more than 20 years ago cold turkey. It was a pretty simple decision for me,I was either going to stop or I was going to die. Imminent death is a big motivator.

I'm a tad over 50,of the group of friends I ran with between 16 and 25,exactly three of us are alive. One is an alky,the other sticks to weed,(weed doesn't count to real dopefiends),and I might go through a six pack of beer every two weeks.

I got clean quickly and my desire to use went a couple of months later.The thing that I've had trouble shaking is the lifestyle.

It gets in the blood. Once you go into that world in serious way you never come completely out,IMO. The only folks that understand you and visa-versa are either in it or have been. It makes it hard to function in the straight world.

You can't get excited about sales of gaskets when you've lived through the craziness that goes w/ being a longterm drug addict. It's not like you could get shot or go to prison on a daily basis? Straight life is very dull after that.

The funny thing is even being out of the life for nearly a quarter of century,I can spot people my own kind and they can spot me? It's "gaydar" for drug addicts and wiseguys.

Why do people get into drugs and alcohol? Because they're fun. 90% of the folks who try them will enjoy 'em for awhile and move on or stick w/occasional use. For about 10%,they become a way of life and a problem.

The thing I tell young folks is,if they try a substance and think "Damn! Where has this been all my life?" they need to leave the stuff alone.

Sorry for the bandwidth.

[MacShreach]

Used to smoke tobacco, stopped...a long time ago, even cigars, and I was fond of my Havanas..... Used to smoke some blow but I can't take any smoke at all these days so I just can't be arsed to bother with that either.....Never had any inclination to get involved with other drugs really, despite being a musician.

If I have no good reason not to I'll have a couple of glasses of red wine in the evening with my meal, maybe a white wine apero beforehand. If I'm going to lunch I'll have a glass of wine or a beer (as long as I'm not driving.) I like a couple of bottles of beer at the weekends--don't even drink canned beer any more... and I like to go to the pub for a pint or two from time to time, but it's not even a weekly thing, especially as I'm not playing in any sessions just now. From time to time I'll have a wee malt whisky before bed.

Do I feel any need or desire whatsoever to go teetotal? Well I have done for quite long periods in the past, six months or so (when you are travelling in Muslim countries alcohol is just a quick way to get in trouble) and I don't think it made a bit of difference to me. Do it permanently? Naah. Why? It's a part of civilised life, like good conversation, music and cards. And cheese.

I am trying to remember the name of the well-known English philosopher and pundit who is now eighty-something and who says "There is no pleasure worth giving up for an extra two or three years of life." Seconded.

[vanished]

The thing that I've had trouble shaking is the lifestyle.

It gets in the blood. Once you go into that world in serious way you never come completely out,IMO. The only folks that understand you and visa-versa are either in it or have been. It makes it hard to function in the straight world.

You can't get excited about sales of gaskets when you've lived through the craziness that goes w/ being a longterm drug addict. It's not like you could get shot or go to prison on a daily basis? Straight life is very dull after that..

Well said. But even beyond that essential truth, there is also a change in the brain in the more serious users of drugs and alcohol. No longer can your brain derive essential joy and pleasure from "gaskets" or going to the movies. Not only that, the "drug seeking" behavior is when your brain, now damaged, goes on a "go go go" autopilot until you're satisfied. That's why there are support groups, that's why there is medical treatment, that's why it's tough to walk away from.

And there's also the fact that at a tgirl party, the atmosphere is somewhat condusive to alter-states from what I hear.

But I liked your quote about it being in the blood. It's in the blood - and the tissue.

[Balcanoid]

..I`m non-smoker...never did any drugs (even without it I sometimes go quite mad )...drink occasionally (when I`m in a good mood, at parties or so..)...overall, I`m living healthy or at least trying to..