# Silly question: Why do people use drugs? (Narcotics & Mary Jane)) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 16, 2012, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645 "2012-01-16T00:29:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/1 "2012-01-16T00:29:57Z")
I found an online recording of the IQ2US debate, “Is America to Blame for Mexico’s Drug War?” A big part of the debate was the fact that the US is the world’s leader in drug use. Ok, let me ask a silly question, I never used and can barely comprehend by alcohol is so popular much less opiates and coca. So why are so many people using drugs in the US? Why use them at all? I really don’t get it. Do I need some ‘smack’ to understand? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/2 "2012-01-16T00:34:22Z")
I have wondered the same. Like you, I have never used illegal drugs. I have always been afraid I would like them and get hooked. And beer gets me in enough trouble at times. Why double down? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/3 "2012-01-16T00:36:01Z")
Since you’re looking for opinions, I’ll move this from MPSIMS to IMHO for you. ---
**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/4 "2012-01-16T00:40:26Z")
Because drugs are fun. Cocaine is a rush. Heroin takes me to a dream state. Don’t like pot. Never tried meth. Acid was fun, but that was in high school, I don’t think I could handle it now. Pretty much stick to alcohol as drug of choice now. ---
**Author:** ![Diamonds02](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/5 "2012-01-16T00:41:40Z")
Never gotten high before, but I’d guess it’s for the same reasons why we get drunk, but they give you a higher…high. Plus most drugs don’t make you want to puke, unlike alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/6 "2012-01-16T00:44:33Z")
Really?! This is a serious question? You wonder why people do drugs? Hmm, let me count the ways…They feel good to use, they can help you forget about your problems, they are physically addicting, they are psychologically addicting, wait, no; this is some weird sort of sneak-bragging, right? (I’m so straight edge, I don’t even _“get”_ drugs). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/7 "2012-01-16T01:00:50Z")
> [@](#): > > **Why Do Some People Become Addicted While Others Do Not?** > > No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. Risk for addiction is influenced by a combination of factors that include individual biology, social environment, and age or stage of development. The more risk factors an individual has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example: > > [ul] > [li] **Biology**. The genes that people are born with––in combination with environmental influences––account for about half of their addiction vulnerability. Additionally, gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may influence risk for drug abuse and addiction.[/li][li] **Environment**. A person’s environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to socioeconomic status and quality of life in general. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, stress, and quality of parenting can greatly influence the occurrence of drug abuse and the escalation to addiction in a person’s life.[/li][li] **Development**. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person’s life to affect addiction vulnerability. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to more serious abuse, which poses a special challenge to adolescents. Because their brains are still developing in the areas that govern decision-making, judgment, and self-control, adolescents may be especially prone to risk-taking behaviors, including trying drugs of abuse.[/li][/ul] [http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/infofacts/understanding-drug-abuse-addiction](http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/infofacts/understanding-drug-abuse-addiction) It all sounds reasonable to me. I’m not into drugs. Never have been. Alcohol? Meh. Pot? I get violently ill from even the second-hand smell. Harder stuff? Never had an interest/desire. Even in the worst moments of my life, drugs were never an option. When I get sick, you literally have to drag me kicking and screaming to take aspirin or ibuprofen. So yeah, I’ve endured some pretty bad headaches far longer than necessary because of my aversion to drugs, even the “good” ones, properly administered and managed. In blunt terms, I don’t need/want anything to get through life. I don’t need/require the crutch because I’m not weak. Yeah, I said it. ---
**Author:** ![Trom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/8 "2012-01-16T01:06:31Z")
The same reason people doing any other recreational activity - because it’s fun and feels good. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/9 "2012-01-16T01:10:40Z")
Being too hardass to take an ibuprofen for your headache is only impressive in its stupidity. Drugs are fun. Really. They’re not for everyone, of course. I’m told Bunco is fun, too. I don’t see it, but I’m willing to believe that the people who play enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/10 "2012-01-16T01:26:52Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > [http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/infofacts/understanding-drug-abuse-addiction](http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/infofacts/understanding-drug-abuse-addiction) > > It all sounds reasonable to me. > > I’m not into drugs. Never have been. Alcohol? Meh. Pot? I get violently ill from even the second-hand smell. Harder stuff? Never had an interest/desire. Even in the worst moments of my life, drugs were never an option. When I get sick, you literally have to drag me kicking and screaming to take aspirin or ibuprofen. So yeah, I’ve endured some pretty bad headaches far longer than necessary because of my aversion to drugs, even the “good” ones, properly administered and managed. > > In blunt terms, I don’t need/want anything to get through life. I don’t need/require the crutch because I’m not weak. Yeah, I said it. Sorry I have to…:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/11 "2012-01-16T01:41:17Z")
That’s like asking why do people have sex when it causes STDs. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/12 "2012-01-16T02:00:37Z")
I have never done illegal drugs myself. A doctor gave me morphine once. But that was only for a week after a motorcycle accident and 18 hours of surgery. And real pretty women brought me food and fluffed my pillow. Thats the way to get high! ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/13 "2012-01-16T02:05:46Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > I’m not into drugs. Never have been. Alcohol? Meh. Pot? I get violently ill from even the second-hand smell. Harder stuff? Never had an interest/desire. Even in the worst moments of my life, drugs were never an option. When I get sick, you literally have to drag me kicking and screaming to take aspirin or ibuprofen. So yeah, I’ve endured some pretty bad headaches far longer than necessary because of my aversion to drugs, even the “good” ones, properly administered and managed. > > In blunt terms, I don’t need/want anything to get through life. I don’t need/require the crutch because I’m not weak. Yeah, I said it. I always think this must be some kind of mental disorder when I hear people say this. You won’t take an ibuprofen or a Tylenol? Really? And you get “violently ill” from the smell of pot? Really? There has to be something pathological going on there. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/14 "2012-01-16T02:33:39Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > I always think this must be some kind of mental disorder when I hear people say this. You won’t take an ibuprofen or a Tylenol? Really? > > And you get “violently ill” from the smell of pot? Really? > > There has to be something pathological going on there. nm ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/15 "2012-01-16T02:34:49Z")
I greatly prefer pot over alcohol. If it were legal I’d probably never drink again. I tried lots of different drugs in my younger, wilder days. Some of them I liked, some of them I didn’t. One of them (ice - a meth derivitive) I liked so much the first time I never tried it again. Why? Because it was fun. Some people jump out of airplanes for fun - now that I don’t understand! ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/16 "2012-01-16T02:47:37Z")
Okay, I get that drugs cause a high which some people find fun. That doesn’t seem to be a sufficient explanation. The high is expensive and rather dangerous (in both legal and physical senses), and it just doesn’t seem worth it. For someone who isn’t already addicted, what would lead them to take that risk? ---
**Author:** ![Trom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/17 "2012-01-16T02:52:25Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Okay, I get that drugs cause a high which some people find fun. That doesn’t seem to be a sufficient explanation. The high is expensive and rather dangerous (in both legal and physical senses), and it just doesn’t seem worth it. For someone who isn’t already addicted, what would lead them to take that risk? I would say marijuana is quite a bit cheaper and definitely less dangerous physically than alcohol. Depending one’s environment, legal risks can be minimized, as well. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/18 "2012-01-16T03:01:15Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Okay, I get that drugs cause a high which some people find fun. That doesn’t seem to be a sufficient explanation. Why not? People do all kinds of things for fun, and people also place different values on fun. People skydive. They do it because it’s sufficiently fun for them that it’s worth the risk. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/19 "2012-01-16T03:06:44Z")
During the \*Drugs are Bad \*week in high school, one of the handouts was a fact sheet on drugs. Among the long list of scientific names, street names, forms, etc. was a column of effects on the user. Down among the various descriptors was a phrase that still, what, thirty years later, makes me smile warmly. _ **Intense euphoria.** _ People. You do not tell a budding Deadhead that one effect of LSD is _intense euphoria._ Not if you don’t want him kicking in the doors of perception. People take drugs because they work. They do what they’re supposed to do. Not every experience is for every person, and some people may not like any at all–but those people are an intense minority. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2012, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645/20 "2012-01-16T03:12:51Z")
For medicinal purposes. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-question-why-do-people-use-drugs-narcotics-mary-jane/609645.md?page=2)