# Who has never tried drugs? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 17, 2001, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858 "2001-10-17T00:20:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![TN\_hippie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@TN\_hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TN_hippie)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/61 "2001-10-18T04:32:12Z")
Never “tried” drugs. “Trying” something implies dipping your toe in the water. I always plunged headfirst, without regard to depth or submerged hazards. Good times, bad times, a few epiphanies, a few near-death experiences, a lot of wasted years. WARNING: THIS LIFE WAS PERFORMED BY A BLOODY LUNATIC. DO **NOT** ATTEMPT THIS STUNT YOURSELF! ---
**Author:** ![Theobroma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@Theobroma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theobroma)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/62 "2001-10-18T12:02:00Z")
I never did hard stuff either, not even in college. (37 years old) They may forgive a math major…but the Pharmacy college does not forgive. Don’t smoke either, I just think it’s yucky. Don’t drink much because I seem to be metabolically unable to get drunk, so it’s just pointless calories for me. ( 2 beers = 1 nice piece of chocolate cake! 🙂 ) By the way, does anyone else see the irony in a bunch of “Dopers” contributing to this particular thread? ---
**Author:** ![Juniper200](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@Juniper200](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Juniper200)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/63 "2001-10-18T12:52:47Z")
I’ve never done an illegal drug, and I have never found the idea of doing so to be particularly appealing. Life is awfully difficult to deal with _without_ a chemical layer between me and the rest of the world. I don’t smoke, either. I have just enough asthma to make being near heavy smokers difficult, and I lost a grandfather to emphysema besides. As for alcohol…I drink occasionally, and while I might joke in Dopefest threads about getting plastered, I find drunkenness to be extremely unpleasant. Too much booze gives me nasty stomach cramps, and after a good bout of drinking, we’re right back to that chemical barrier between me and the world. So when I drink, it’s generally just a few servings at a time because I enjoy the taste. ---
**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:** [October 18, 2001, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/64 "2001-10-18T15:48:46Z")
I’m 34, and have never taken an illegal drug, despite the fact that I used to be a long–haired, heavy metal type-of-guy. I have _never_ smoked pot, snorted cocaine, taken acid, uppers, downers – _anything_. I’ve never even smoked a cigarette. But I must differentiate between _taking an illegal drug_ and _taking drugs illegally_. What do I mean? Well, **I love beer** , and I drank it between the ages of 16 and 19. That was (obviously) illegal. But hey – I still drink beer! **I love beer** which, technically, is a drug as we all know… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@The\_Tof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tof)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/65 "2001-10-18T17:19:35Z")
I certainly had plenty of opportunities… but it always seemed like the other peole around me wanted me to do it way more than I wanted to do it. So I never took the opportunity. I don’t smoke, though I have once or twice. I drink occasionally and get drunk… maybe 2x a year. But have NEVER done any illegal drug. (Well, at least any drugs that were illegal for anyone regardless of age. 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![Iguana\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@Iguana\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iguana_Boy)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/66 "2001-10-18T22:03:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Redukter \* > **I’ve never done anything harder than a tiny sip of whiskey (which tastes like rubbing alcohol)** You’ve drunk **rubbing alcohol**?? :eek: I have smoked a few cigars, nothing else. I **do** get drunk but I never get so drunk that I can’t control myself or forget what happened. I’m a pretty big guy, and I can handle it quite well, but it’s rare that I have more than just a couple of drinks. I have **never** tried any illegal drugs, hard or soft, and have no desire to. I just don’t see the point. I have been in a room where other people were smoking pot, so I may have got a passive hit, but I didn’t notice any difference. ---
**Author:** ![Payne\_N.Diaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Payne\_N.Diaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Payne_N.Diaz)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/67 "2001-10-18T22:48:28Z")
Never drunk alcohol (knowingly), never smoked, never done recreational pharmaceuticals, but that stuff they gave me during oral surgery was _wonderful_. I was always afraid if I started drinking I’d like it too much (depression) and I never had the money for anything else, even if I’d wanted to, which I didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/68 "2001-10-18T23:01:03Z")
No drugs, not even once. No tobbacco, not even once. No alcohol. Earl Grey’s. Hot. Make it so, #1. ---
**Author:** ![non-native](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@non-native](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/non-native)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/69 "2001-10-18T23:05:46Z")
I have smoked, drank, but never tried any illegal drugs. With smoking, i was curious, so i tried. I didn’t get a kick out of it and began to wonder all the fuss was about (it’s that nicotine i hear). I have gotten drunk, and those experiences were mostly pleasant ones (i just get a little giddy). But i would never go out of my way just to drink. Infact i’ve yet to pay for my alcohol (maybe that’s not something to be proud of…). Cannabis i’ve not tried, but given the opportunity i would probably try because it would be a new experience. Although i would prefer not to condemn anything that i’ve never tried, it seems to me that “hard” drugs (despite the common misconception, cannabis is **not** a hard drug) are extremely addictive and have ruined many lives. After reading boths arguments for and against cannabis, i’ve decided that the only truely bad thing about cannabis is the fact that it’s illegal. It’s actually less addictive than nicotine and (unless your dealer is a scam artist) all natural. I actually think that cannabis is one of the safest “drugs” around (including the legal ones). I’ve heard a reasonable theory that the illegalization was due to some DuPont campaign early last century. ---
**Author:** ![Rally\_Vincent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c37758/32.png) [@Rally\_Vincent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rally_Vincent)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/70 "2001-10-18T23:23:38Z")
I’ve sometimes encountered people who seem to immediately assume that because I"m not interested in weed or other drugs that I look down on them because they are using them. I’ve chosen not to try illegal drugs, because so far, I don’t feel the benefits outweigh the risks. I enjoy a margarita once in a great while;any more than that I feel very ill. I’ve never been tempted to try cigarrettes. I notice someone said a while back that marijuana is pretty harmless. While it may be less addicting than other drugs, I wouldn’t say it’s harmless. To me, harmless would be something you would feel comfortable giving your children. Any drug, legal or not, has the potential for harmful effects. You just have to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks (as I said above). I take Zoloft and it has helped me a great deal, but someone else may choose not to take it. ---
**Author:** ![TN\_hippie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@TN\_hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TN_hippie)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/71 "2001-10-18T23:47:37Z")
**Rally,** I think the point being made is that marijuana is _relatively_ harmless. I’ve used and abused just about every drug you can name. I’ve also associated with many other drug users and abusers (both in active addiction and in recovery). Even heavy use of marijuana causes far fewer problems than use of any other recreational drug with the possible exception of caffeine. Alcohol abuse is _much_ more dangerous. And lest we forget: tobacco-related illness kills more people every year than ALL other drugs combined…this stat includes alcohol-related deaths. ---
**Author:** ![nra\_babe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@nra\_babe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nra_babe)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/72 "2001-10-18T23:58:26Z")
just chiming in…i’ve never taken drugs (illicit) either. figured it was a waste of time and i had too much to do as it was. ---
**Author:** ![Kaje](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f04885/32.png) [@Kaje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaje)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/73 "2001-10-19T07:46:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by non-native \* > **Although i would prefer not to condemn anything that i’ve never tried, it seems to me that “hard” drugs (despite the common misconception, cannabis is not a hard drug) are extremely addictive and have ruined many lives.** You seem to have your wits about you on this issue so I’m not really trying to make an ass out of you… but I’m curious… what would you consider “hard” drugs? Anything except marijuana or what? ---
**Author:** ![Pucette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/278dde/32.png) [@Pucette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucette)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/74 "2001-10-19T15:48:08Z")
Never smoked (though I recently went through a phase where I was using every ounce of willpower to keep myself from trying). Never done drugs. I drink occasionally, but have only gotten tipsy twice, never drunk. I rarely even have caffeine. Oh and I’m 22, for the record. ---
**Author:** ![non-native](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@non-native](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/non-native)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/75 "2001-10-19T19:07:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kaje \* > You seem to have your wits about you on this issue so I’m not really trying to make an ass out of you… but I’m curious… what would you consider “hard” drugs? Anything except marijuana or what? \*\* Well it’s not really what **I** consider hard drugs, but almost everyone who’s somewhat informed about drugs (not to suggest you’re not informed or anything). Yeah, basically every illegal drug other than cannabis would be considered a hard drug. One of the arguments for condemning cannabis is that it might cause people to try “harder” drugs after they’ve gotten bored with cannabis. ---
**Author:** ![Atreyu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Atreyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atreyu)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/76 "2001-10-19T20:29:32Z")
28-year-old chiming in on this thread: I’ve never tried drugs, and I have no interest in finding out what it’s like to get high on coke, pot, LSD, or ecstasy. What goes up, must come down, and I’ve heard that the coming down part can be a bitch. As for alcohol, I drink very infrequently, maybe the equivalent of a bottle of beer a month. Hell, I’ve never even been _drunk_, since I discovered years ago that even a mild buzz will wreak havoc with my ability to lip-read (I’m severely deaf). Given the descriptions I’ve read of what it feels like to be drunk and have the inevitable hangover, it doesn’t sound like I’m missing much. I find the smell of cigarette smoke to be intensely nauseating. 'Nuff said. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/77 "2001-10-19T20:45:13Z")
Never smoked, never tried illegal drugs, hard or otherwise. I do enjoy alcohol as a form of pleasure. I find that it ceases to be pleasurable when it begins to affect the mind. I don’t think I have ever consumed more than two beers over the course of an entire evening. I also avoid caffeine, except when I particularly crave a cup of tea. ---
**Author:** ![Rally\_Vincent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c37758/32.png) [@Rally\_Vincent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rally_Vincent)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/78 "2001-10-19T21:13:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by non-native \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Kaje \* > > You seem to have your wits about you on this issue so I’m not really trying to make an ass out of you… but I’m curious… what would you consider “hard” drugs? Anything except marijuana or what? \*\* > > Well it’s not really what **I** consider hard drugs, but almost everyone who’s somewhat informed about drugs (not to suggest you’re not informed or anything). Yeah, basically every illegal drug other than cannabis would be considered a hard drug. One of the arguments for condemning cannabis is that it might cause people to try “harder” drugs after they’ve gotten bored with cannabis. \*\* I’ve heard that technically alcohol and cigarrettes are the so-called “gateway” drugs. My extremely unscientific observation is that many people use marijuana and that’s it, but if you look at people who use multiple substances, they invariably had used marijuana first or one of the first. and yes, I am familiar with the argument that alcohol and cigarettes cause more damage than marijuana, but I still don’t think marijuana is benign. ---
**Author:** ![Asylum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@Asylum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asylum)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/79 "2001-10-19T21:22:41Z")
When I do drink it’s like a fish usually. I am currently smoking like a chimney. I have no idea why, but when I get in front of a computer my smoking increases three-fold. I have not however tried any illegal drugs, but have on rare occasions received contact highs. I am proud to say my stupidity is all natural. ---
**Author:** ![TN\_hippie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@TN\_hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TN_hippie)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2001, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858/80 "2001-10-20T05:46:45Z")
[another slight hijack] **Rally** , I don’t think anyone here has said that marijuana is “benign.” No drug is _totally_ harmless. Baby aspirin, antacids, and iced tea have their risks. It’s just that marijuana is _less dangerous_ than, say, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, or PCP. Sorry to belabor this point, but I get sick of hearing “a drug is a drug” as if they were all equally risky…they ain’t. And the _legality_ of a substance is not necessarily a good indicator of its potential for harm. [sorry about the hijack] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-never-tried-drugs/87858.md?page=5)