Zac wrote: ↑24 May 2019
Sorry modekarma but i think you're wrong in a lot of ways. I understand talking about self control when it comes to substances that are only or mainly psychologically addictive but booze and particularly opiates are physically addictive. And once that physical dependence has been reached once it soon goes back there with the next relapse.
Some people have the strength or fear to only do smack and crack within their means rather than robbing etc... i know a guy who does. He spends his benefits within days on them and is a ghost for over a week til he can again.
But that isn't self control or moderation. He's as fucked as those robbing to keep going their two weeks. He just suffers rather than risking prison or worse.
Even though he is being forced to limit the amount he uses due to his lack of money, he is still using it way too much (he is an addict and his withdrawals are more severe due to the excessive amount).
'Proper' moderation with those types of substances might be once every 2-3 months (occasional use does not mean there are no unwanted side effects!). But he is certainly not a candidate for even that dosage schedule and will be lucky if he ever gets the chance to quit the substance for good. At this time this guy needs to stop and for him to instantly try to exercise moderation in relation to his drug of choice will not work. He would need to be clean off the stuff for at least 1-2 years roughly speaking and have developed/demonstrated strong self control for that duration to have any shot with using it again, in a 'sensible' manner.
I knew a factory machine repair guy from a place I used to work at, who could function 'fine' using it every day. Still he was using it way too much from the point of view of the horrible things that stuff does to your body.
The main reason I don't do the occasional experiment with those particular substances (I did a little bit in high school), is that I have no clue what I am really getting out there on the street and getting in trouble with the law sucks.