The basic user

It isn't anything new for people to argue, "but the addicts, the addicts" when I talk about using drugs not abusing them or becoming addicted. It is also a fact that yes, we have no idea exactly how many users are out there as the only people that get counted as using drugs are those who either visit the ER due to problems associated with their drug abuse or enter some type of treatment program either in or outpatient.

However, the lack of research into the total number of users out there in comparison to those experiencing problematic substance use or addiction doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. Some research indicates that there are as many as 12 users of cocaine for every addict to cocaine. That is less then 10% of people who develop any sort of dependence on cocaine. This is the same for all drugs including alcohol.

Some research is done into simple use instead of only focusing on addiction but not much. One man is Peter Cohen at the University of Amsterdam. His research indicates that even the drugs claimed to be most addictive like heroin, they don’t show ongoing rates of use in those who do use them. This means that most people who use it don’t eventually develop serious and debilitating addiction as is claimed by most.

Although I am not denying addiction exists and never have, I am arguing it isn’t the drug however, but rather the person and their environment. Drugs don’t just suddenly result in physical dependence as this goes against scientific pharmacology. It is the person that craves that love and belonging that the drug can artificially create as that person isn’t finding it in healthy and natural ways.

Drug use by most is not about finding artificial happiness but rather using it to benefit their lives while still loving life. It isn’t about escaping or not wanting to be sober for people who use but rather it is for growing, experience, fun, social bonding and more. Drugs are nothing but tools.

I can argue that cars kill and we need to prohibit them but for the most part, we use them as a tool that can have harm. Drugs are no different!