01-12-2009, 04:06 AM
Here's what I've come to understand.
The whole "gateway" drug concept is pretty much a myth. Some people are predisposed genetically to have addictive tendancies. If they smoke ciggies, they're hooked. If they drink alcohol, use meth, heroin, caffeine, sugar, or yes, marijuana, they have a higher chance of having dependency issues.
Some drugs are much more addictive than others and are more difficult to quit. Some are more harmful, both to yourself, and to society. Nicotine is one of the most addictive and harmfull.
The only way for an addict (of no matter what substance) to overcome their addiction is to quit altogether. An addict can "manage" a dependancy; even be "functional" while continueing to use a substance. The underlying dependency is still there, however. The only way an addictive personality can deal comfortably with an addictive substance is to abstain totally.
So here's the deal. If you can enjoy a beer or a joint after work, or a few on your day off and not really think about it for a period of time; that's awesome ! If, on the other hand, you can't wait for "beer thirty" to come around most every day, or can't function without a bong hit and coffee in the morning, you've probably got issues.
I used pot, nicotine, caffine, and sugar (all powerfull drugs) to get off alcohol (powerful AND destructive for an addict). I then used pot to get off nicotine. Now I am totally empowered and happy to be off pot, as well.
A person who habitually uses pakalolo probably thinks they are getting high when they smoke. I came to find that the "high" was really "normal" and the "without" period was a difficult downer. Without pakalolo altogether, everything is on a much more level plane.
I still use caffiene and raw sugar. (maybe someday....)
Personally, my life has become MUCH more enjoyable and productive in the 15 years without addictive behavior.
How do you quit an addictive substance?....ANY WAY YOU CAN. Meetings, therapy, gum, whatever works. Just know that the joy of being free of a substance comes only with total abstinance.
So that's kind of my thought on the "gateway" thing. Back to the thread.......I think of all the drugs out there; Pakalolo is probably the least harmfull and does have positive pharmiceutical qualities. Just don't be fooled into thinking it can't be abused. You may be only hurting yourself, but tell me; Who is more important than YOU ?
Sorry for the ramble.
One day at a time, My friends!
The whole "gateway" drug concept is pretty much a myth. Some people are predisposed genetically to have addictive tendancies. If they smoke ciggies, they're hooked. If they drink alcohol, use meth, heroin, caffeine, sugar, or yes, marijuana, they have a higher chance of having dependency issues.
Some drugs are much more addictive than others and are more difficult to quit. Some are more harmful, both to yourself, and to society. Nicotine is one of the most addictive and harmfull.
The only way for an addict (of no matter what substance) to overcome their addiction is to quit altogether. An addict can "manage" a dependancy; even be "functional" while continueing to use a substance. The underlying dependency is still there, however. The only way an addictive personality can deal comfortably with an addictive substance is to abstain totally.
So here's the deal. If you can enjoy a beer or a joint after work, or a few on your day off and not really think about it for a period of time; that's awesome ! If, on the other hand, you can't wait for "beer thirty" to come around most every day, or can't function without a bong hit and coffee in the morning, you've probably got issues.
I used pot, nicotine, caffine, and sugar (all powerfull drugs) to get off alcohol (powerful AND destructive for an addict). I then used pot to get off nicotine. Now I am totally empowered and happy to be off pot, as well.
A person who habitually uses pakalolo probably thinks they are getting high when they smoke. I came to find that the "high" was really "normal" and the "without" period was a difficult downer. Without pakalolo altogether, everything is on a much more level plane.
I still use caffiene and raw sugar. (maybe someday....)
Personally, my life has become MUCH more enjoyable and productive in the 15 years without addictive behavior.
How do you quit an addictive substance?....ANY WAY YOU CAN. Meetings, therapy, gum, whatever works. Just know that the joy of being free of a substance comes only with total abstinance.
So that's kind of my thought on the "gateway" thing. Back to the thread.......I think of all the drugs out there; Pakalolo is probably the least harmfull and does have positive pharmiceutical qualities. Just don't be fooled into thinking it can't be abused. You may be only hurting yourself, but tell me; Who is more important than YOU ?
Sorry for the ramble.
One day at a time, My friends!