# Can anyone raise their virtual hand on these boards and say,"I don't take drugs?"Poll **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 29, 2007, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468 "2007-10-29T17:25:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/1 "2007-10-29T17:25:29Z")
A Drug: Any of a group of compositions of chemical or organic variety that are usually distinguished from endogenous biochemicals by being introduced from _ **outside** _ the organism i.e. we do not sythesize them on our own we introduce them to our bodies from an outside source. Insulin would fit in another category. Pop a pill, inject a liquid, swallow a liquid, place a patch on our skin etc…etc… Is there anyone on these boards who can say with 100% certainty that they do not take drugs? I, sorry-to-say, cannot raise my hand. My athsma meds are introduced into my system everyday. I eat a decently organic diet, I shop at farmers markets and buy meat from a local organic grower. But I do take drugs. I’ll pop an advil on occasion and from time to time take a sleeping aid, I prefer an antihistamine instead of unisom as there are no dependence issues. So any free peoples out there that do not take drugs? How about periods of your life where you didn’t take any whatsoever? ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/2 "2007-10-29T17:27:37Z")
Not me… but at least all mine are legal! ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/3 "2007-10-29T17:30:11Z")
Throw in caffeine, and I don’t think you’ll find anyone. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/4 "2007-10-29T17:37:07Z")
I’ve been drug free for periods. I don’t do recreational drugs, don’t smoke, and have had, at times, avoided caffeine due to lumpy breasts. Leaving me with pain relievers for headaches and alcohol. There have been periods in my life where I haven’t drank at all - for years (often simply because its expensive to drink), and I tend to avoid Advil for as long as possible (drives Brainiac4 crazy - I lie on the couch moaning with a headache and he says ‘have you taken anything’ and the answer is usually ‘no’). None of this would have been intentional, just that, with the exception of a year and a half on anti-depressants, I haven’t had any chronic issues that have required medication, haven’t been a big consumer of legal or illegal drugs for entertainment for long periods, and if I don’t have a cold or a headache, there isn’t any reason to be popping the OTC meds. Now, probably the longest I’ve done this is maybe three months before a headache hits bad enough to need something or I get a bad cold. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/5 "2007-10-29T17:50:23Z")
I doubt you’ll find many. I’ve never had a recreational drug, but I do have my daily prescription medications to deal with. I don’t qualify. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/6 "2007-10-29T17:51:09Z")
[QUOTE=Dangerosa] \and I tend to avoid Advil for as long as possible (drives Brainiac4 crazy - I lie on the couch moaning with a headache and he says ‘have you taken anything’ and the answer is usually ‘no’). \ [/QUOTE] For a second there I had thought my wife had signed up for a SDMB account without me knowing…Heh, it’s good to know I’m not alone with having a wife who refuses to take OTC meds for pain and yet continues to moan about it even though the advil liquid gels are 20 feet away in the cupboard. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/7 "2007-10-29T17:52:21Z")
[QUOTE=Asimovian] I doubt you’ll find many. I’ve never had a recreational drug, but I do have my daily prescription medications to deal with. I don’t qualify. [/QUOTE] Exactly what I am looking for. I expect not to find any, at all. I could be surprised though. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/8 "2007-10-29T17:56:30Z")
If we include ibuprofen and caffeine, I cannot raise my virtual hand. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/9 "2007-10-29T17:59:34Z")
I am disqualified due to caffeine, alcohol, and the occasional OTC cold relief (like today – dratted head cold) ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/10 "2007-10-29T18:01:15Z")
Nope. I like drugs. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/11 "2007-10-29T18:02:28Z")
For then last two posts, if those are the only drugs that you take, that’s quite good and nearly drug free. How do you folks that only take caffeine and/or OTC cold meds feel day to day?? ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/12 "2007-10-29T18:07:37Z")
I haven’t had any drugs since July. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/13 "2007-10-29T18:08:43Z")
[QUOTE=Phlosphr] For then last two posts, if those are the only drugs that you take, that’s quite good and nearly drug free. How do you folks that only take caffeine and/or OTC cold meds feel day to day?? [/QUOTE] I feel fine most days. I do, however, drink a lot of caffeine (probably a good 48 oz of coffee and 40 oz of soda per day). And, sometimes a lot of alcohol (Halloween party this weeked - spent Sunday hung over and sick. Brilliant on my part). Also, do you count second-hand drugs, like all the antibiotics I’m probably getting in the milk I drink? ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/14 "2007-10-29T18:13:43Z")
Since you seem to want to include caffeine and cold medicine in with “drugs” (thus disqualifying 99.9 with a bar over it% of the world), what is the point of this exercise? ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/15 "2007-10-29T18:14:27Z")
Last week I could have raised my hand, but I just started a very mild anti-inflammatory medication for a skin condition. It doesn’t make me feel any different though. I don’t drink. I rarely take OTC drugs–most of them mess with my stomach and the only thing I ever take for pain is Alka-Seltzer. Last time I took some for a headache, I got severely carsick. ☹ I feel fine most of the time; I’m a pretty healthy person (though today I’m feeling some hay fever!). I have the occasional headache or whatever. Cranberry juice is my version of morning coffee and it perks me right up; I can’t live without cranberry juice! ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/16 "2007-10-29T18:14:45Z")
[QUOTE=Bayard] I feel fine most days. I do, however, drink a lot of caffeine (probably a good 48 oz of coffee and 40 oz of soda per day). And, sometimes a lot of alcohol (Halloween party this weeked - spent Sunday hung over and sick. Brilliant on my part). Also, do you count second-hand drugs, like all the antibiotics I’m probably getting in the milk I drink? [/QUOTE] I didn’t want to bring in second hand drugs like the hormones and antibiotics because I thought that would certainly exclude most peoples. So for now, let’s disclude those, and stick with things you knowingly put into your body that are drugs in the afore mentioned definition. ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/17 "2007-10-29T18:15:45Z")
I do not drink alcohol, or use medicine (either OTC or prescription). I drink assorted caffeinated beverages (but not coffee) but not daily. Periodically I treat chocolate as if it were a drug. ---
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/18 "2007-10-29T18:19:35Z")
Most days maybe a bottle or can of pop. In cold weather, tea. Every day OTC iron. Other than a couple of Excedrin every two or three months, that’s it. I did take two acetaminaphen on Labor Day when I ran the sewing machine needle through my finger. ---
**Author:** ![Lunar\_Saltlick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/977dab/32.png) [@Lunar\_Saltlick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lunar_Saltlick)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/19 "2007-10-29T18:20:38Z")
I’m close. I occasionally take Advil for headaches, but I don’t drink coffee (rarely tea or soft drinks either), and I began reducing my already limited intake of alcohol a couple of years ago when I started losing weight. I have allergies in the spring but take nothing for them. So really, the occasional Advil, and a few drinks per week – that’s it. I guess every once in a while I have to take some prescribed medication short-term for something, but I don’t remember the last time that happened. I suppose there are sometimes whole weeks where I am totally drug-free. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2007, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468/20 "2007-10-29T18:23:37Z")
[QUOTE=Phlosphr] …How do you folks that only take caffeine and/or OTC cold meds feel day to day?? [/QUOTE] Fine, as long as I don’t try to withdraw from caffeine. Then, awful. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-raise-their-virtual-hand-on-these-boards-and-say-i-dont-take-drugs-poll/424468.md?page=2)