I've done heroin a few times, never injected it but I used to chase the dragon now and then, I was always careful not to make it a regular thing though. I'm sure it is very addictive but I've never felt any compulsion to take it.
I think what makes it addictive for some people, especially those in poverty or with other problems, is that it's a very reassuring high. It takes all the glum away and leaves you cocooned and warm and cosy for a while. That could be something that you would miss if it was exactly the sort of thing you wanted.
No, a place where there aren't homeless people scrounging pennies for hard drugs because someone gave them the impression they wouldn't get addicted in the first x days.
Fair enough.. if it makes you feel any better, I've never done heroin, and I've never supported it. It's one drug that actually scares the crap out of me. I've also seen my share of destroyed lives but I've also seen people pull themselves together and raise families, to my eternal delight. Some of my greatest sadness has come from watching friends suffering under the grip of a heroin addiction. You feel powerless to help, it's a terrible feeling. I'm sure it's nothing compared to what they're going through.
The thing is I'm not disputing Mooses comments outright, I do think he's telling porkies but that's not why I argued with him.
I just think he's too relaxed about the information he releases.
In regards to addiction, addiction is a very odd word, whilst your body may not crave the drug, your mind can and will crave the effects the drug has on your body (if you enjoyed it, especially). That's why 'instant addiction' has a grey area. You can become instantly addicted to anything, racing, flying, sailing, and numerous sports.
So why can't you be instantly addicted to the very euphoric effects of a drug where you feel no immediate pain or bad emotions? All people are saying here is that your body doesnt' instantly DEPEND on heroin.
You can still be addicted to something your body doesn't DEPEND on and Moose especially throws it around as if it's just like cocaine and cannabis.
Not to mention that injecting ANYTHING is a seriously high risk way to ingest a substance regardless of the needle quality and hygiene.
Alot of people start drugs cos they are dumb enough to listen to another drug user tell them it's "OK" and "not as bad as people say" or "not addictive" and then these people go into the scenario with the impression they won't have any problems physically OR mentally.
There's a massive difference between someone who takes drugs and a drug addict. It's the same difference that exists between drinking a bottle vodka a day and having a glass of wine with dinner. It's entirely possible to use drugs recreationally and not become a drug addict, in fact the vast majority of drug users, both alcohol and narcotics, do just that and get on with their lives absolutely fine thankyou very much. Drug addiction, any addiction in fact, is a symptom of a larger problem, be it poverty, depression, environment... or just circumstance (edit: or just boredom, frankly). I agree with Moose, having grown up on a poor housing estate in Glasgow, lying to children about the effects of drugs just exasperates the problem (it did for my peergroup). Anyway, that's all I can be bothered to type about the subject.
How are the harmfulness and the crime calculated in that? Is it relative or absolute numbers? And is does the use and possession of alcohol and tobacco being legal make those less criminal as well?
And i've seen people, and family's destroyed by car crashes, loss in a family, Anorexia, teenage rebellion, etc
Heroin's just another in the list of long things.
It all depends on the persons attitude and personality, drugs will NOT and CAN NOT addict you by just taking it *ONCE*. Or even moderate useage. It is the PERSON at fault because they don't have self control, i am sick and ****ing tired of people blaming drugs for others lack of self control.
Its as bad as blaming columbine school shootings on marilyn manson or video games, its a scape goat, people don't like to take blame. You choose to take the drug, if you can't control your useage why the **** are you taking it in the first place?
I've smoked cigarettes a handful of times, agian, said to be a very addictive substance..but oh wait? I can go 6+ months without ever wanting one?
I can gaurentee if i could do heroin once, and never again.
Why? Because Methamphetamine is said to be just as addictive, and yet...i've done it once, and never touched it again. Because i have self control. Crazy how that works, hey?
sorry, I posted the wrong chart... I mean to link to the chart in the second article here. I don't put much weight into that chart because it's tough to distinguish between harm to self and harm to others. There's more info on that study in the articles.
Strange, cannabis dependence bar is as big as alcohols, but i don't find it addicting at all. I smoke, i laugh, i don't smoke, i'm ok... Or is it just me? Anyway, this encouraged me to grow shrooms!
I was talking about mental addiction too. If i had a shitty day, i don't feel the need to smoke it, i'm just sad. None of my friends are daily smokers too, it's just like - J? Ok. No more weed - let's go find something else to do. Might be bad quality weed, but i get high as **** every time, so maybe it's just me...