Why Does Someone Suddenly Decide It Would Be A Good Idea To Take Drugs?

[dave50]

I don't understand why anyone would want to. Especially those in the entertainment world who become rich and famous, a lot of them decide start taking drugs such as cocaine or even heroin, why? I can maybe just about understand the homeless and destitute perhaps who have nothing to live for and are looking for a few hours of oblivion but someone at the opposite end of the social scale who are successful and have everything to live for , I just don't understand.

[sandyRoe]

Different people have different reasons. Some might start thinking that they're too smart to become addicted. Others want the oblivion whatever the risk to themselves.

[ll_billym]

Drugs make humans feel nice, that's why people do them. Some people do drugs just to feel good and it never adversely affects their life. Alcohol and painkillers are drugs too. Just because someone is rich and famous doesn't mean they are any happier than anybody else.

[VHG]

Remember in some circles drugs are everywhere and "everyone" is taking them so it is easy to just join in.

Also often drugs are given away (at first) by pushers for free (to get you hooked) so it is difficult to say no.

Also some people in the entertainment world also may think it will make them a better musician or writer if they have had their mind expanded by drugs.

Remember also that some people find it hard to "come down" naturally after a show so take "downers" to help the come down, but then need uppers to get them "up" for the next show and so the cycle starts.

p.s. Never taken any drugs in my life, even cannabis, so my comments above are only based on what I may have heard or read in the past.

[andy-hughes]

Robin Williams famously said 'Cocaine is God's way of telling you that you have too much money.'

and there is a lot of truth in that.

Rich and famous celebs are surrounded by people who never ever say no to them, and they live in a rarified atmosphere where every lortal thing is taken care of for them. That leads to boredom and frustration, and a need to experiment with ways of alleviating that boredom.

'The devil makes work for idle hands ...' is another phrase that is appropriate here.

I would agree with the point that a lot of musicians and entertainers simultaiously think that creativity is enhanced by drugs, and that they are too smart to become addicted. Both may apply to certain individuals, both may not apply to others.

So - it comes down to opportunity, money, and boredom - a lethal combination as plenty of musicians have discovered, some fatally so.

[Maydup]

Peer pressure is often behind it, but for some its no different to having a drink or a cigarette. Why do people do drink or smoke? same reason, it makes them feel good and then they get addicted.

[Answerprancer]

I chip into recreational drugs now and then. For me, it adds some variety to my life. Certain substances spice up dull times for me but I get a similar buzz from aerobic exercise or a damn good gig or a holiday.
Everything in moderation is the important factor: if you're going to use drugs, make sure it's *you* that is using them and it's not the other way round.
There is also the 'law of diminishing returns' to take into account - if you over-use you're in danger of a) losing the enjoyment and b) falling down the slippery slope to dependency.

[Answerprancer]

I have to add that when asked the "why do them" question, I am sensitive to the notion that I may be in danger of making them sound attractive. I don't want to do that - I'm just answering a question based on my own personal experience.

[jomifl]

I can sort of see why people would take then as I was prescribed fortrol as a painkiller once and it didn't just kill pain it introduced me to a world without care or worry and a constant state of euphoria. Needless to say I gave them up before I had finished the first bottle. I've been offered recreational drugs a few times but I've always found it easy to refuse them. I think people take them to escape (temporarily)from a situation which they find otherwise unbearable .

[Answerprancer]

I don't use them to escape anything - I use them to enhance or celebrate :-)
Actually - that's not entirely true, I use alcohol to escape, sometimes.

[Answerprancer]

I see drugs as an 'instrument' - by that I mean as a way of chemically controlling and tempering the psyche, mostly I use fairly softcore stuff like caffeine. eg. If I have to go off to work and I've not got the energy, I'll bung down a double espresso but I make sure I have the 'reserves' to deal with the CNS stimulation it generates. If I'm feeling bored or sad, I'll have a couple of pints and that usually helps. If I feel like celebrating but am a bit lethargic, I'll do a line or two of charlie. If I've been invited to a party but I'm not really up for it, I'll dab a bit of speed. It's all temporary and I don't overdo it.

[Answerprancer]

...I don't get on with hallucinogens though (sadly) and I include pot in that.

[douglas9401]

Biiiiiiiiiiiig sigh.

[Answerprancer]

Been puffing the herb Doug?

[maggiebee]

Are we talking about illegal drugs here? If we are talking about drugs in general then we have to talk about alcohol, tobacco and prescription drugs too. Having a drink or three doesn't make you an alcoholic, so why would a couple of joints make you a junkie? Statistics (yes, those damned things) show there are just as many people hooked on prescription drugs than on illegal ones.

[doctordb]

Answerprancer, you're the cliff Richards of drugs.

[Answerprancer]

You mean I've got purple drug nuts? ;-) (it's "Richard" btw)

[Sharingan]

Cliff Richard would make me take drugs ;-)

[douglas9401]

You need to report that to the good folk at Yewtree, Sharingan.

[doctordb]

The police wouldn't let him shari. :)

[Sharingan]

lol @ douglas & drb :)