I think the cultural aspect is also very important. I Europe, having used drugs a couple of times is viewed as completely fine, as long as you are not currently addicted to them. Add to that the lack of a social net in US and you have the perfect storm.
I’m still rattled by videos of the homeless camps in US. Those people have no way out. Drugs at least provide an escape.
Have serious social anxiety? Well, you can’t hide in your room and be addicted. You gotta get out there and mingle and build connections to keep your supply up.
As silly as that sounds, it gives people with nothing to do and nothing to think about a sense of purpose. However chaotic their life may be, they’ve got something to do every day of the week.
I am terribly antisocial. I don’t really have any close friends at all. I don’t invite anyone to come into my home and hang out. I like my family around and that’s it.
When I was using I was always somewhere and always surrounded by people. I didn’t have anything in common with any of them, but we always ran around trying to come up with drugs and looked out for each other so it felt like I was close to people.
That part of it is what keeps most people tied to the life.
It was easy for me to walk away from the people, places, and things.
It’s not easy for people who enjoy having friends and are capable of building honest connections.
I think the cultural aspect is also very important. I Europe, having used drugs a couple of times is viewed as completely fine, as long as you are not currently addicted to them. Add to that the lack of a social net in US and you have the perfect storm.
I’m still rattled by videos of the homeless camps in US. Those people have no way out. Drugs at least provide an escape.
I feel like at that point they should be allowed to have their own state. Utah sounds like a good place.
It isn’t just about escaping.
Have serious social anxiety? Well, you can’t hide in your room and be addicted. You gotta get out there and mingle and build connections to keep your supply up.
As silly as that sounds, it gives people with nothing to do and nothing to think about a sense of purpose. However chaotic their life may be, they’ve got something to do every day of the week.
I am terribly antisocial. I don’t really have any close friends at all. I don’t invite anyone to come into my home and hang out. I like my family around and that’s it.
When I was using I was always somewhere and always surrounded by people. I didn’t have anything in common with any of them, but we always ran around trying to come up with drugs and looked out for each other so it felt like I was close to people.
That part of it is what keeps most people tied to the life.
It was easy for me to walk away from the people, places, and things.
It’s not easy for people who enjoy having friends and are capable of building honest connections.