Home› Drink & Drugs
Click here if you need support urgently
Read the community guidelines before posting ✨

Do you use recreational drugs? (not including alcohol)

MikeMike Community Manager Posts: 4,099 Community Veteran
edited July 10 in Drink & Drugs
Interested in whether this is something you folks are into. We used to see a lot more drugs chatter here but it's died down over the years, and not sure whether it's because less people are into it or it's just being discussed less. Feel free to comment with more info if you like - no judgement. :)

Oh and for the purposes of this, alcohol isn't included (even though it is a recreational drug).

Do you use recreational drugs? (not including alcohol) 13 votes

Yes, often
7% 1 vote
Yes, sometimes
15% 2 votes
No, never
76% 10 votes
Taking a break 🌈

Comments

  • AislingDMAislingDM Moderator Posts: 969 Part of The Mix Family
    Really great poll, Mike!! I reckon even if people aren't as into it anymore we can all stand to learn a bit more about how recreational drugs can be used safely because we never know which friends or family members might need our support <3
    I'm a community moderator. I represent The Mix on the discussion boards and I'm here to help guide discussions, make sure everything is within guidelines, and take care of the housekeeping. I can't send or receive private messages, but you can message @TheMix or email [email protected] with any questions or concerns and the team will get back to you.

    Community Guidelines | How to use the boards | How to report a post | How to report spam
  • MikeMike Community Manager Posts: 4,099 Community Veteran
    For sure @AislingDM - knowledge is power, right? :)

    I'm pretty sure there is data out there about how people our age are using less drugs, drinking less, and smoking less than previous generations. I wonder why...
    Taking a break 🌈
    AislingDM
  • OwlOwl Posts: 104 The Mix Convert
    i dont actually know how to class myself, because its something i do but so rarely. eg someone who only drinks at christmas or weddings might not class themelves as a drinker.

    perhaps users of drugs use them less often and so they dont feel they can categorise themselves as a user outright, perhaps because of prices or because other means of hits eg video games, vaping, porn, tv shows you can finish in one sitting etc are more available now than during the 90s and 00s.

    the amount of antidepressants precribed has gone up over the last few years, maybe whilst there are still drugs being used recreationally there are fewer drugs being used medicinally or as coping mechanisms. i wonder if youve found recreational drug users have fewer issues with drugs than people who use them to cope?

    as Aisling and Mike say, education and understanding is never a bad thing!
    AislingDM
  • MikeMike Community Manager Posts: 4,099 Community Veteran
    I think this is a really interesting take @Owl. You might be right that it's easy to get those pleasure hits in other ways, for less money, and with less risk. I did read somewhere that our generations are more health conscious than previous ones, but not sure how accurate that is. 🤔
    i wonder if youve found recreational drug users have fewer issues with drugs than people who use them to cope?
    Not sure on this, but would be an interesting thing to research! Intuitively I want to say that's probably true, but that's not backed up by anything concrete...
    Taking a break 🌈
  • LorryTruckLorryTruck Definition of a mental mess and a certified lost cause :) EnglandCommunity Champion Posts: 2,449 Boards Champion
    edited July 15
    What is classed as a recreational drug?

    I dont take any drugs and never have, but I'm curious to what is classed under it.
    It's much easier to say "My tooth is aching" 
    than to say "My heart is broken"
    Mike
  • OwlOwl Posts: 104 The Mix Convert
    I think now that "legal" highs are illegal, a recreational drug is any drug that you take that isn't medicinal.

    They're not all illegal, technically things like alcohol and caffeine and nicotine are recreational drugs, and some things are legal to use for yourself but illegal to make or to supply to others.

    This page explains the drug classes, but its government so take it with a pinch of lockdown partying and hiring perverts
    https://www.gov.uk/penalties-drug-possession-dealing
    LorryTruckMike
  • independent_independent_ Resident Coffee Addict ScotlandCommunity Champion Posts: 7,875 Legendary Poster
    I have tried a tiny bit of weed with my friends, but I wouldn't say I take drugs. However I am a smoker so I am by no means an angel haha!
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
    Mike
  • MikeMike Community Manager Posts: 4,099 Community Veteran
    LorryTruck wrote: »
    What is classed as a recreational drug?

    I dont take any drugs and never have, but I'm curious to what is classed under it.
    Owl wrote: »
    I think now that "legal" highs are illegal, a recreational drug is any drug that you take that isn't medicinal.

    They're not all illegal, technically things like alcohol and caffeine and nicotine are recreational drugs, and some things are legal to use for yourself but illegal to make or to supply to others.

    This page explains the drug classes, but its government so take it with a pinch of lockdown partying and hiring perverts
    https://www.gov.uk/penalties-drug-possession-dealing
    Ha! Basically this. :) In my head I was thinking basically anything you'd take to have a good time / enjoy yourself (rather than something you take because you have to, like medicine).
    independent_ wrote: »
    I have tried a tiny bit of weed with my friends, but I wouldn't say I take drugs. However I am a smoker so I am by no means an angel haha!
    Do you mind me asking how you found trying weed, @independent_? :)
    Taking a break 🌈
    LorryTruck
  • independent_independent_ Resident Coffee Addict ScotlandCommunity Champion Posts: 7,875 Legendary Poster
    edited July 23
    @Mike no worries at all. It was fun just for the experience, but I wouldn’t like to use it regularly because I’m generally very anti illegal drugs (for myself, others can do what they like)

    But bloody hell nicotine is the hardest to quit. I’m having surgery on Monday and I’ve got to quit smoking cigarettes until it’s over, I’m still vaping but for a legal drug the cigs are hard to kick!
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
  • MikeMike Community Manager Posts: 4,099 Community Veteran
    edited July 24
    That makes a lot of sense @independent_. :) Not to turn this into 20 questions, but do you mind if I ask why you're anti-illegal drugs? Is it because of the illegality or something else?

    The people I know who have taken other recreational drugs say a similar thing about nicotine. I also have relatives who have genuinely tried really hard to quit smoking, but have never managed it long-term. Seems like the one people struggle with the most.

    Rooting for you, and I hope the surgery goes smoothly!
    Taking a break 🌈
  • independent_independent_ Resident Coffee Addict ScotlandCommunity Champion Posts: 7,875 Legendary Poster
    @Mike I guess just because Iknow people who are or have been addicted to them and it takes over their lives. It’s awful for them, I get it though it’s an addiction and, being a smoker, I can understand how easily addiction can happen. Just seems worse with things that alter your mind to that extent and take over like some drugs do.

    Thank you, it’s a minor operation so should be ok :)
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
  • MikeMike Community Manager Posts: 4,099 Community Veteran
    Makes sense given your experience @independent_. I can relate a bit to this - people close to me have had a really rough time with drink and drugs, and sometimes I wonder if that's why I haven't really ventured into that stuff. Thank you for sharing. :)
    Taking a break 🌈
Sign In or Register to comment.