Two things I have never done or will ever do: Cups of coffee or smoke a cigarette. Alcohol is in a category all its own and I'll get to that later. But with these two I have the right to ask why just as you have the right to partake. My only coffee experience was sitting at a restaurant with my mother when I was a child. She would pour a splash of coffee into one of the plastic containers of cream and I would drink it, mainly for the cream because it was so delicious. After I grew out of that phase, that was it. Growing up I never had the need for coffee. I can get up at any hour and function without the aid of caffeine, as many people cannot, and I have to many examples to list on both sides.
So why do people start drinking coffee? Is it because they imitate what they see from their parents, the media and friends? I guess it can be like beer where you don't like the taste at first but then get used to it and before you know it you have them casually with dinner. A lot more people become addicted to both because of the nature of the beast, but both boil down to what your brain craves. The whole thing becomes a physical battle. I know if I was stranded on an island I wouldn't want to blow my brains out during the withdrawal period.
I do think that the biggest factor is seeing everyone else partaking and feeling that pressure to follow the pack. As for myself, I don't necessarily run with the pack all of the time, as I'm sure you are well aware. In college it was more of a party atmosphere than anything else and I didn't want to be that guy who just hangs out and doesn't do anything, which I'm sure people respect for that, just not as someone they want to hang around with. Of course, there is the 'social lubricant' effect that alcohol has, although that has not been in my favor, yet. After school ended, and trust me I took every chance I could to party with my team, I was back to where I was. I don't casually crack open a beer with dinner or order a cocktail when I go out. It doesn't make me any more fun, and why do something just because everyone thinks you should? And no, I'm not a 'funectomy', I just pick my spots. The party I'm going to attend in a couple weeks with a whole bunch of my friends I am going to be drinking from 2pm-2am, and after that I'll be getting back to my own life. There is definitely a very fine line I walk on and I have heard people say that even if you don't drink during the week but party on the weekend you can still be an alcoholic. I counter that with the summer of 2010. I didn't have a drink the entire summer, simply because I didn't feel like it. This may be hard to believe. I forget what I was up to during that time but that is how it went down. No booze for four or so months. So tell me how, if I was an alcoholic, could I have done that. There is no answer for that and I'm sure the situation is a rare combination, just as I am. Now we come to the whole idea of cigarettes.
The factors that contribute to the use of tobacco are the same as coffee and alcohol, in a way, the only difference being that only one out of three a twelve year old can freely purchase. We clearly see the damage that they do over the long term so why do them at all? Am I really that stressed that you have to suck ash five or more times a day to help you cope with my problems? Do I want to look that much older so people will take you seriously? Can I afford it financially? These are the questions people don't ask when they take that first puff, then another, then another. They live in the moment and, before they know it, its too late! I will admit that I do, on occasion I do smoke weed. I treat it even with more respect than alcohol because no companies hiring test your BAC when you piss into a cup. I treat it as that fancy meal you go out for every few months. I also did not smoke any until I was 18 and did not while I was still a college athlete due to my fear of failing a drug test. It does normalize me, though, as I did go over in an earlier post; putting a temporary stop to most compulsions and overall slowing my brain down so I don't care about social pressures. But this doesn't mean my brain throws caution to the wind, its too tough for THAT to happen.
I cannot however, justify its use simply because of what it does for me. I know it is wrong and I don't pretend otherwise, but just like alcohol, I know how to use it properly. I know its not going to make me smarter (in effect the opposite it true) or magically & permanently negate what my brain cannot seem to get over in terms of how it deals with people. All I ask is for a fun time at the ball before my carriage turns back into a pumpkin. Another word on cigarettes: You don't see a bunch of people laughing and having a good time when they are smoking them in a designated area, do you?
The thing to remember with all of these vices as that you are your own person and you can chose to do whatever you want, and no one can make you do otherwise (at least where I'm from). Unless, of course, you find yourself in rehab, then you should listen to those around you and start to make some better choices.
Questions or Comments? Let me know.
So why do people start drinking coffee? Is it because they imitate what they see from their parents, the media and friends? I guess it can be like beer where you don't like the taste at first but then get used to it and before you know it you have them casually with dinner. A lot more people become addicted to both because of the nature of the beast, but both boil down to what your brain craves. The whole thing becomes a physical battle. I know if I was stranded on an island I wouldn't want to blow my brains out during the withdrawal period.
I do think that the biggest factor is seeing everyone else partaking and feeling that pressure to follow the pack. As for myself, I don't necessarily run with the pack all of the time, as I'm sure you are well aware. In college it was more of a party atmosphere than anything else and I didn't want to be that guy who just hangs out and doesn't do anything, which I'm sure people respect for that, just not as someone they want to hang around with. Of course, there is the 'social lubricant' effect that alcohol has, although that has not been in my favor, yet. After school ended, and trust me I took every chance I could to party with my team, I was back to where I was. I don't casually crack open a beer with dinner or order a cocktail when I go out. It doesn't make me any more fun, and why do something just because everyone thinks you should? And no, I'm not a 'funectomy', I just pick my spots. The party I'm going to attend in a couple weeks with a whole bunch of my friends I am going to be drinking from 2pm-2am, and after that I'll be getting back to my own life. There is definitely a very fine line I walk on and I have heard people say that even if you don't drink during the week but party on the weekend you can still be an alcoholic. I counter that with the summer of 2010. I didn't have a drink the entire summer, simply because I didn't feel like it. This may be hard to believe. I forget what I was up to during that time but that is how it went down. No booze for four or so months. So tell me how, if I was an alcoholic, could I have done that. There is no answer for that and I'm sure the situation is a rare combination, just as I am. Now we come to the whole idea of cigarettes.
The factors that contribute to the use of tobacco are the same as coffee and alcohol, in a way, the only difference being that only one out of three a twelve year old can freely purchase. We clearly see the damage that they do over the long term so why do them at all? Am I really that stressed that you have to suck ash five or more times a day to help you cope with my problems? Do I want to look that much older so people will take you seriously? Can I afford it financially? These are the questions people don't ask when they take that first puff, then another, then another. They live in the moment and, before they know it, its too late! I will admit that I do, on occasion I do smoke weed. I treat it even with more respect than alcohol because no companies hiring test your BAC when you piss into a cup. I treat it as that fancy meal you go out for every few months. I also did not smoke any until I was 18 and did not while I was still a college athlete due to my fear of failing a drug test. It does normalize me, though, as I did go over in an earlier post; putting a temporary stop to most compulsions and overall slowing my brain down so I don't care about social pressures. But this doesn't mean my brain throws caution to the wind, its too tough for THAT to happen.
I cannot however, justify its use simply because of what it does for me. I know it is wrong and I don't pretend otherwise, but just like alcohol, I know how to use it properly. I know its not going to make me smarter (in effect the opposite it true) or magically & permanently negate what my brain cannot seem to get over in terms of how it deals with people. All I ask is for a fun time at the ball before my carriage turns back into a pumpkin. Another word on cigarettes: You don't see a bunch of people laughing and having a good time when they are smoking them in a designated area, do you?
The thing to remember with all of these vices as that you are your own person and you can chose to do whatever you want, and no one can make you do otherwise (at least where I'm from). Unless, of course, you find yourself in rehab, then you should listen to those around you and start to make some better choices.
Questions or Comments? Let me know.
Sometimes, it can be hard to explain the reason why other people become dependent to certain habits. But you're right that peer pressure can oftentimes be the reason for most people, especially young adults. One would think that it is fun to continue doing so, but they will do no good in the long run. Certain accidents, aggressive behavior, and being temperamental are only some of the instances.
ReplyDeleteDonnie Benson @ Midwest Institute