Experimenting with drugs
April 9th, 2006
I stumbled across one of the most interesting thing I’ve read on the statistics of drug-use and drug-abuse among adolescents in a long time (for those who don’t know me very well: keep in mind that this is an area of intense interest for me and I seek out information about it often).
“…it has been shown– and this is of vital importance, from the perspective of policy and prevention –that adolescents who never experiment with drugs (not even marajuana) tend to be as maladjusted as (although somewhat differantly from) actual drug abusers; that is, significantly more maladjusted than occasional users.”
I’m interested to hear comments on this…is it surprising/obvious/unbelievable?
Entry Filed under: University (Studies and Classes), Drug use, Psychology
6 Comments Add your own
1. | April 10th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
Maladjusted is certainly a vague word, in what context? If you mean just generally different in attitude and behavior from the rest of society then might I add that in my opinion people want to be average. Conciously or not, striving to be average makes a lot of people happy because they can fit in. Many times this can be achieved by being in the same mental state as everyone in the room. Drugs allow this, or at least give the impression of it which brings comfort. Perhaps people who have never tried drugs are afraid of being average and so act in relatively bizzare ways. Then again, I haven’t thought long on this and could change my mind in seconds…also, this is coming from the perspective of someone who does use drugs from time to time. I’d be interested to hear from someone who’s never induged
2. | April 13th, 2006 at 4:30 am
Hey Nick,
Ya…you bring up alot of really valid points. I think the idea was meant to be that it takes a certain level of self-assurance and awareness to be exploratory enough to experiment with illegal drugs (in our culture where it is widely acceptable) –and then that it takes a certain strength of character not to become addicted. …So that on one end you have people who feel too restricted and opressed to experiment and on the other people who become overwhelmed. …(sorry for the slow response…I’m in Ireland and hardly online!)
3. | April 21st, 2006 at 9:52 am
Well, I consider myself to be quite self-aware, despite the choice to not experiment with illegal drugs…. I don’t feel restricted in anyway– it is simply a choice I have decided to make. Some may argue that I am simply living in a state of false consciousness– unaware of the people and institutions that are shaping my opinion…. I guess there is no way I can convince these people otherwise. Oh well, I know my reasons for making the choice, and I guess that is the most important thing.
4. | April 21st, 2006 at 9:57 am
I forgot to add- Hi Padraigin! I haven’t seen you in what seems like forever! My grandma wanted me to say hi and let you know that she is thinking of you!….ah, good ol’ grandma.
5. | May 3rd, 2006 at 12:43 pm
Just wanted to say that your spelling “differerant” is incorrect…It’s “different” with an “e” not an “a”.
6. | May 3rd, 2006 at 3:08 pm
haha. thanks! i get that one wrong a lot these days.
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