i don't think this is flaming, but i don't think you can extend your idea on why EVERYONE PERSON WHO DOES DRUGS DOES THEM when you have only your experience to draw from.

it's the same reason i can't say for certain that you're wrong; i can make guesses at why some people do them, but i can't be sure.

this isn't an addict defending himself; i drink on occasion, can count the number of cigarettes i've smoked on one hand, and tried pot twice.

i'm just saying: speak for yourself.

Billy, quite frankly most psychologists will say that there is a reason why people use a lot of drugs and alcohol. It's an unhealthy coping mechanism at best and a means of complete self-destruction at worst. There's a difference between experimenting with drugs and using drugs to escape from your problems. Where exactly do we draw that line? I'm not exactly sure.

I sure hope you can leave drugs behind, cutie...

But, it's true... If you're going to work with children and all... You gotta be clean!

i'm sure there are reasons, but i don't think escapism is the catch-all term for them.

i hate talking about this subject because anything that isn't "drugs are bad bad bad they ruined my momma and my daddy and i will never do them because i am a good boy" has a stigma attached to it.

did i condone them? no.

again: i don't like the idea that one experience can speak for all others.

While I stand by what I believe, I agree that one experience I had doesn't speak for everyone, but I am talking about multiple instances where I did try and hide my feelings behind the bottle and such. I just needed to get this out of my system.

Eric