# What is the cost of being moderately addicted to various substances? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 14, 2014, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427 "2014-05-14T09:55:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/1 "2014-05-14T09:55:10Z")
I don’t partake in any addictive substances, apart from alcohol once in a while, so I have a very poor idea of the prices of anything. I was wondering, for different addictive substances, if you were to form a “moderate habit”, a) What’s the absolute cheapest you could maintain the habit if quality were not an issue and b) What would be a rough middle of the road budget. A “moderate habit” is obviously subjective but it’s a way to normalize between the different effects that different drugs have. Some drugs that might be considered: [ul] [li]Caffeine[/li][li]Alcohol[/li][li]Tobacco[/li][li]Marijuana[/li][li]Adderal[/li][li]Prozac[/li][li]Painkillers[/li][li]Cocaine[/li][li]Heroin[/li][li]Meth[/li][li]LSD[/li][li]MDMA[/li][/ul] For example, for alcohol, a moderate habit might be a bottle of wine a day. On the low end, Two Buck Chuck would be $2 a day. On the moderate end, $15 a day would be reasonable. For caffeine, a moderate habit might be 5 cups of coffee a day. On the low end, it would be ~$1 for cheap instant coffee. On the moderate end, $20 for starbucks style drinks. Note to mods: I’m not advocating that anyone should take illegal drugs and all discussion is for informational purposes only. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/2 "2014-05-14T10:06:01Z")
Just a _few_ personal relationships and only _one_ job. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/3 "2014-05-14T12:33:14Z")
I can purchase an ounce of “average” cannabis for $100, or an ounce of much higher quality for $300 (great prices; I know people). Most evenings I have a few hits, sometimes more. An ounce lasts a month or two. But addicted? If I run out and cannot get any right away, I do without and enjoy my dreaming. Now, beer. I’ve been enjoying some of the higher end beers where a bomber bottle retails for $30 to $60, but I’m also fine picking up a case of whatever looks drinkable for $35. But addicted? If I _had_ to stop drinking I would (and have) with no problem. I’d just rather not. ---
**Author:** ![misling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ab097/32.png) [@misling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misling)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/4 "2014-05-14T12:53:33Z")
Shalmanese, you might want to specify that you are not interested in whether anybody is or is not addicted to these ‘potentially addictive’ substances, or your thread will get derailed toot sweet by people arguing whether a) the substance is addictive and/or b) whether their usage counts as addiction. ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/5 "2014-05-14T13:25:34Z")
[Nasal spray addicts](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=711505) need to buy a $15 bottle every few days. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/6 "2014-05-14T14:17:19Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I can purchase an ounce of “average” cannabis for $100, or an ounce of much higher quality for $300 (great prices; I know people). Most evenings I have a few hits, sometimes more. An ounce lasts a month or two. So $3 a day on the low end and $9 a day on the high end. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/7 "2014-05-14T14:28:49Z")
If you have a still in the woods and some corn mash, it could be close to free, after a certain capital outlay. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/8 "2014-05-14T14:32:51Z")
My dad’s an alcoholic and I think he buys 2 big cases of Natural Ice per week. I think that’s 48 cans? I have absolutely no idea how much it costs. I’m pretty sure it’s one of the cheapest beers. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/9 "2014-05-14T15:00:12Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > If you have a still in the woods and some corn mash, it could be close to free, after a certain capital outlay. Or if you have a poppy field… ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/10 "2014-05-14T15:08:41Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Most evenings I have a few hits, sometimes more. An ounce lasts a month or two. **Moderator Note** From the [rules](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7696990&postcount=5): > [@](#): > > Drugs that are illegal in the US: You may discuss the effects of drugs, but not where to obtain them. Limited discussion of past use of drugs is OK, but \*\*discussion of current use is not. \*\* Please do not discuss your personal use of illegal drugs in this thread. (And with respect to illegality, we use the criterion of illegal at the federal level in the US, regardless if some states may have legalized their use.) Discussion of the costs of illegal drugs is OK. However, do not discuss details of how to obtain them. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/11 "2014-05-14T15:12:00Z")
Cigarettes vary by location. Here in RI I think you pay over $8 a pack. Most smokers are going through at least one pack a day. But you can roll your own for a little over $1 a pack. Some filtered cigars which don’t qualify as cigarettes go for around $2.50 a pack. For real cigars the price varies a lot with the quality of the product, I don’t know current prices. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/12 "2014-05-14T15:17:33Z")
I have a serious addiction to ChapStick. My family, the enablers that they are, give me packs of them for Christmas and birthdays so it normally doesn’t cost me anything. There have been times that I walked out the door without it and had to stop at a store to buy some. That happens every few years. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/13 "2014-05-14T15:18:02Z")
Coffee, about $120.00 per year Cannabis, about $200.00 per year Tobacco, $2,000 per year Thats it! My hobbies run maybe $3,000 per year and I feel they supply me with the same feel good stuff many get from drugs. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/14 "2014-05-14T15:21:09Z")
Coffee shouldn’t cost much if you make it yourself, or get it free or work, but I know people that drop a lot of money buying coffee at Starbucks and other places each day. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/15 "2014-05-14T15:44:19Z")
Since Adderall has been mentioned, I’d like to point out that a generic version is available. If you have a prescription and insurance that covers prescriptions, the cost is your copay for generics. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/16 "2014-05-14T16:14:23Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Coffee shouldn’t cost much if you make it yourself, or get it free or work, but I know people that drop a lot of money buying coffee at Starbucks and other places each day. With Keurig occupying a weird middle ground between ~4¢/cup for Folgers and $4/cup for Starbucks. By the way, free work coffee is great! Even with the pay, healthcare, retirement and vacation, I’m still tempted to say the free coffee is the best perk I get. I did cocaine a couple times in the past, and it was really ridiculous. If I recall correctly, ten years ago I could buy enough coke to last me one night for about $100, if I was conservative with it (and I wasn’t, which is why I quit – emptied my thankfully pretty-low-at-the-time bank account one night and afterwards said “this drug isn’t for me”). ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/17 "2014-05-14T16:26:12Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I can purchase an ounce of “average” cannabis for $100, or an ounce of much higher quality for $300 (great prices; I know people). Most evenings I have a few hits, sometimes more. An ounce lasts a month or two. Can I get your number? 😃 Seriously though, even an average ounce at a “good” price would be the equivalent of over $300 here. The cost of any addiction is probably going to vary wildly by location. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/18 "2014-05-14T16:36:02Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > I did cocaine a couple times in the past, and it was really ridiculous. If I recall correctly, ten years ago I could buy enough coke to last me one night for about $100, if I was conservative with it (and I wasn’t, which is why I quit – emptied my thankfully pretty-low-at-the-time bank account one night and afterwards said “this drug isn’t for me”). That’s why I stay away from Peruvian Marching Powder. For $100 I can purchase a night’s worth; for $500 a longer night’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![Drummond\_Bays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@Drummond\_Bays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drummond_Bays)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/19 "2014-05-14T19:38:33Z")
Coffee = $10.49 for a large can of instant (I prefer instant, have since youth.) That will last 3-4 weeks, depending. Add the odd coffee shop coffee once or twice a week for $1.60 a pop. ~$5-6 a week. Cigarettes = Approx $8-10 a day when buying single packs, perhaps $5-7 a day when buying cartons, although when I buy cartons I smoke a lot more. ~$65-85 a week. Marijuana = $120 per half ounce, that will last two weeks in a good month, and a week in a bad month. Call it $90 per week. Beer = $11.50 for a six-pack of tall cans of “bargain but not cheap-ass” beer, and two six-packs on Fridays and Saturdays. $103.50 a week. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427/20 "2014-05-14T21:20:43Z")
It looks like generic vodka is the cheapest source of alcohol. [http://getdrunknotfat.com/get-drunk-not-broke/](http://getdrunknotfat.com/get-drunk-not-broke/) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cost-of-being-moderately-addicted-to-various-substances/688427.md?page=2)