Coke heads

[d[-_-]b]

Where would I start. It would fall on deaf ears. And I have learnt to sort myself out. Used to always try and help everyone else with their problems, addictions and suchlike. Its never reciprocated, rarely appreciated and always ends up psychologically and emotionally draining and challenging.

A couple of people that mean the most I have had proper talks with, sent messages to even wrote letters to. But the advice is never heeded. I guess best thing is to be there when they need it and let them know thats the case. They will hopefully give up when they want to. After all who needs some expert preaching who has never done it themselves eh!?

Sorry off on a bit of a depressing tangent here.

I think that's all you can do, you can't force people after all. Like you said, you have to sort yourself out first and foremost.

Whilst I don't fully know your situation, I once had a good friend sit me down and talk. He had, like you, never tried any drugs and was worried for me. I really appreciated it and assured him I was well on top of it, but I was really happy with him for talking to me about it - it's good to know you have friends looking out for you.
I've had chats with friends who I have felt were hitting the drink a bit too much, and like you they just shrugged me off/didn't seem to acknowledge what I was saying, but I noticed a change in them in the following weeks. Again, you have to sort yourself out first and foremost - but sometimes all you need to trigger that is a gentle nudge from a friend.

Hope you don't mind me asking, but what makes you hang around with that group of friends if they're all heavily into drugs and you're not?

[cricketfieldclarets]

I think that's all you can do, you can't force people after all. Like you said, you have to sort yourself out first and foremost.

Whilst I don't fully know your situation, I once had a good friend sit me down and talk. He had, like you, never tried any drugs and was worried for me. I really appreciated it and assured him I was well on top of it, but I was really happy with him for talking to me about it - it's good to know you have friends looking out for you.
I've had chats with friends who I have felt were hitting the drink a bit too much, and like you they just shrugged me off/didn't seem to acknowledge what I was saying, but I noticed a change in them in the following weeks. Again, you have to sort yourself out first and foremost - but sometimes all you need to trigger that is a gentle nudge from a friend.

Hope you don't mind me asking, but what makes you hang around with that group of friends if they're all heavily into drugs and you're not?

Yes thats true. But people just get defensive if I mention it. They know my stance on it and they know what I think. So I guess thats all I can do practice what I preach. It is usually ignored and / or they end up back on the subject of 'you drink!'. Which I do. But not often. There are times when I do when I do drink too much as well. Which again may seem hypocritical. If someone said I needed to stop tomorrow though I could do it easily. Maybe I am just strong willed. I dont have many 'bad' vices fortunately.

What makes me hang around with them? Mainly lifetime friends. I wouldnt cut them adrift. I just try not to be around by it or let it wind me up as much as it used to. But even long time friends aside most people I know take them. Friends of friends. Colleagues. Everyone is at it. I enjoy all of their company outside of drugs. And to be fair most of the time they take it in my company is when I am drinking anyway. But some of them can't even go to the match without taking it - even first thing in the morning. On pretty much any away day at least 90% of people will be at it whether you go on the train, bus, minibus whatever. People will think that stat is exaggerated but I bet it isnt far off. Older generation aside it is staggering the amount of people who take it.

The weird thing is I can and do stay up longer then them, can party as hard as any of them. I think its a placebo at times. Either that or my insomnia is worse than I thought!

Nights out I try to limit to out of town and holidays. Whilst I appreciate that people take it the world over, it just seems a far worse environment in and around Burnley for it. Never ever been in trouble or in a situation abroad, rarely out of town other than when I was young and stupid. Almost all of the times I have been in a bad situation have been in Burnley.

I dont know why there has never been any temptation. I guess logic and sensible behaviour kicks in (for once ) Also helps that my mrs hasnt and never would do it. My sister is almost identical to me in that respect too.

[d[-_-]b]

Well fair play to you, I say. It seems we float around in different circles, though.

I see drug use often, but only used recreationally. I've never seen one person dependant or feeling the need to take it on a day-to-day basis. Obviously that's not to say it doesn't happen; perhaps I'm just lucky.
From reading this thread, it seems it's just a personal choice. And without advocating them, I just feel there's a massive stigma attached to it all. I feel the Government/media can and should be doing more to educate instead of trying to fight something they'll never actually win.
Like someone else mentioned, Portugal decriminalised all drugs (ALL drugs) in 2001. In 2015, the UK had 2815 deaths from overdoses. Portugal had 30.

The sooner people start to see it as a health issue rather than a legal matter, the sooner people get more help, addiction goes down and our jails free up. I can't see why people don't agree with it?

The weird thing is I can and do stay up longer then them, can party as hard as any of them. I think its a placebo at times. Either that or my insomnia is worse than I thought!

Hah, fair play again! That is a feat

[Belial]

Exactly. And therein lies the issue.

Even weed. Supposedly harmless. Most people I know who smoke or smoked this heavily are either very paranoid, edgey, antisocial and / or comspiracists!!!

I have tried it a few times and fortunately it has never ever done anything positive for me. Dont know if I was missing something or did it 'wrong'. But it didnt make me feel good, relaxed, chilled - nothing! Maybe a bit sick. Its the only thing I have tried and even feel guilty about trying that! Thankfully it did nothing but if it did who knows what it could have lead to.

I think one of the issues is the amount of things people mix. Drugs and alcohol are never going to be a good mix. Mixing different drinks was always said to be a no no and with good reason as thats bad enough! In fact come to think of it, the only times I have had problem with drinking is drinking lots of very different drinks very quickly.

Ten pints and I would be fine. 10 pints of lager and cider less so. 5 pints of cider, a few lager, and shots / spirits and you become a totally different charachter altogether. Especially if in the wrong environment, frame of mind or company.

You're right it definitely changes the way people are and eventually become. I actually had a friend die of an OD when I was 16 too (he was only 15), and I ended up losing my best mate at college because he ended up living over Preston and getting into allsorts. I'd go over and speak to him and he was a completely different person than the one before he moved there. I know all about mixing drugs/alcohol too, and also used to occasionally get roped into going out with a dodgy circle of people (mostly workmates and their mates) at one time in late teens/early 20s. I saw changing through their drug use... we'd go out at night, end up at a house party, and suddenly they would become a different person, usually angry/staring/argumentative etc. At one time it was case of going to pubs and walking into the loos and lads were there with keys out - it was as if it was just the 'done thing'. These days I don't drink a drop during the week and at weekends might have a few with my gf. Once every couple of months I might have a blowout if it's an occasion but generally speaking now there's no spirits/shots or anything it's just beer and sometimes wine. I think it's a bit of a sad world when people have to rely on substances to have a good time... unfortunately though I can't ever really see that changing

[cricketfieldclarets]

Well fair play to you, I say. It seems we float around in different circles, though.

Like someone else mentioned, Portugal decriminalised all drugs (ALL drugs) in 2001. In 2015, the UK had 2815 deaths from overdoses. Portugal had 30.

That stat sounds impressive. But The UK has 70m people and Portugal has 10m. That means it is 0.0004% of Brits or 0.00003% of Portuguese. It also doesnt take into consideration many other factors. Like what the stats were before and after. And individual circumstances. Difference in lifestyle and how and what is taken. But either way both numbers are too high even.

Stats can be misleading. The highest death rate from drugs is Iceland. And you would also see Seychelles in a top ten list. Its all relative.

There are probably very few Muslim countries on any list and they are even stricter than us!

[cricketfieldclarets]

Well fair play to you, I say. It seems we float around in different circles, though.

I see drug use often, but only used recreationally. I've never seen one person dependant or feeling the need to take it on a day-to-day basis. Obviously that's not to say it doesn't happen; perhaps I'm just lucky.

I wouldnt say they are addicted in the sense of needing it 247. Its like I posted earlier. I think they are addicted in the circumstances not in life in general.

Its like me having to have a drink in those same circumstances. But I dont. I can regulate that. Away games are a good example. If I really needed to in the situation I would get someone else to drive or go by train or bus. As it happens I drive to pretty much every away game and have a couple a season where I dont. I was meant to go by bus last week and this but circumstances have changed but it doesnt bother me.

But even on away days if someone drives, most drink heavily and or take stuff. I think its circumstantial habit.

Between 17 and about 24 I would have been the same match day. Was impossible to go home or away without getting on the beer. But it was through habit and who I was with and not enjoyment.

[bfccrazy]

That stat sounds impressive. But The UK has 70m people and Portugal has 10m. That means it is 0.0004% of Brits or 0.00003% of Portuguese. It also doesnt take into consideration many other factors. Like what the stats were before and after. And individual circumstances. Difference in lifestyle and how and what is taken. But either way both numbers are too high even.

Stats can be misleading. The highest death rate from drugs is Iceland. And you would also see Seychelles in a top ten list. Its all relative.

There are probably very few Muslim countries on any list and they are even stricter than us!

You'd be surprised with some countries - Pakistan has a hell of a lot of deaths due to hallucinogenic moonshine which is pumped out with dodgy batches full of poisons and petrol. It happens in a lot of muslim countries but is just more hidden due to the rules/laws. Bahrain is also rife apparently with the money being pumped into there.

[cricketfieldclarets]

You're right it definitely changes the way people are and eventually become. I actually had a friend die of an OD when I was 16 too (he was only 15), and I ended up losing my best mate at college because he ended up living over Preston and getting into allsorts. I'd go over and speak to him and he was a completely different person than the one before he moved there. I know all about mixing drugs/alcohol too, and also used to occasionally get roped into going out with a dodgy circle of people (mostly workmates and their mates) at one time in late teens/early 20s. I saw changing through their drug use... we'd go out at night, end up at a house party, and suddenly they would become a different person, usually angry/staring/argumentative etc. At one time it was case of going to pubs and walking into the loos and lads were there with keys out - it was as if it was just the 'done thing'. These days I don't drink a drop during the week and at weekends might have a few with my gf. Once every couple of months I might have a blowout if it's an occasion but generally speaking now there's no spirits/shots or anything it's just beer and sometimes wine. I think it's a bit of a sad world when people have to rely on substances to have a good time... unfortunately though I can't ever really see that changing

Agree with all of that.

As for now, there are a few people I know who I wish I could get through to about the harm of excess drink, any drug use (in my experience from the outside) and definitely mixing the two.

Absolutely changes the way they are, what their priorities and ambitions are etc.

Most change dramatically. Lose interest in any sort of hobbies, sport, general interests other than living for the weekend and spiraling out of control. Its difficult to give them that focus if they dont have it themselves.

One of my best mates took his life. He was a drinker but it was the drugs that changed him. Drink changes us all but it tends to be temporary unless you are completely dependent. In my experience anyway.

The drugs completely changed him. What he wanted in life, who he was, what his priorities were and who mattered. Off the drugs and behind closed doors the nicest person you could ever meet. On the drugs and in front of other people persona became the most important thing.

To give an example of how bad the drugs were. He once walked into the bank and got a fairly substantial loan and spent all of it on designer clothes and cocaine. Its not even logical. Days later he sold the clothes to buy more cocaine! The lad who bought the clothes was also one who took the stuff with him. Ruthless.

Then when he has a downer from the drugs he has not only spent all that money on them, he has spent borrowed money on it which he will be paying off over three years. And also sold his clothes (FFS) to fund more of it. A Vicious downward cycle.

Not saying drink can't affect people. Look at Gazza. Best. A Crying shame. But if their vice was drugs I guarantee they would have been in an even worse position!

[cricketfieldclarets]

You'd be surprised with some countries - Pakistan has a hell of a lot of deaths due to hallucinogenic moonshine which is pumped out with dodgy batches full of poisons and petrol. It happens in a lot of muslim countries but is just more hidden due to the rules/laws. Bahrain is also rife apparently with the money being pumped into there.

I couldnt even get a pint in the middle east the lousy bastards

But thats what I mean about stats. You have backed up the point I was making. They are irrelevant and easy to manipulate.

[gogogadgetlegs]

They aren't snorting cocaine, or if they are its very very weak.
They aren't willing to listen or consider that what they're sniffing could be made up of a number of things, including poisons and paracetamol.

With a bit of luck they'll end up seriously ill through their own stupidity.

Nowt like a bit of empathy or concern for the users to make you wish the commenters fingers would fall off.

[Spijed]

Not saying drink can't affect people. Look at Gazza. Best. A Crying shame. But if their vice was drugs I guarantee they would have been in an even worse position!

Ever since I gave up drink I can guarantee that as soon as I tell someone I don't drink I get the reply "I don't drink much either". It seems therefore that no-one drinks that much.

However, if that's the case, the medical profession have got something horribly wrong in their judgement of drinking habits in this country, if the vast majority of people don't drink that much alcohol. Perhaps they are wasting money that goes on those alcohol awareness campaigns.

It's said that the rule of thumb for a GP to work out how much someone drinks is to simply let their patient tell them their consumption levels and simply double it as most people are in denial as to how much they intake.

The question is, who should you believe - Gastroenterologists who see liver problems on a daily basis, or members of the public who know how much they really consume?

[pushpinpussy]

i cant believe the amount of drug taking **** we have on this messageboard. you should feel ashamed not come on here bragging.

[Six fingers]

How do you tell if someone is addicted to coke

[bfccrazy]

How do you tell if someone is addicted to coke

They usually have a cold - I hear it's because of the ice cubes getting stuck in their noses whenever they sniff it.

[cricketfieldclarets]

Couldnt help but laugh at this and think of this thread

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvcwaXL1T04&sns=em" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[cutsy123]

i cant believe the amount of drug taking **** we have on this messageboard. you should feel ashamed not come on here bragging.

Simply lovely

[Ightenclaret]

TBH, I'm just glad I got left behind. Getting high is just a reminder of how disappointing our reality is.
Until Burnley start playing everyday, it's a crawl from one Saturday to the next.

[Quicknick]

Always been pleased that I didn't bother with coke. Cokeheads are the most tedious company. They always think they're fascinating when they are talking their rubbish.