A new study just came out. Water is a gateway drug. Every heroin user there has ever been was also found to have consumed water at some point in their lives.
That's where I was confused. I wasn't ripping you for ripping pot smokers. I was merely pointing out that you generalized that pot is addictive. I apologize for misreading you.
Smoking pot is addictive - not as addictive as cigs or alcohol, but it has a degree of physical and psychological dependence. New strains of kind with mega doses of THC are certainly more addictive than the dirt weed people smoked in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. That being said ~ if given the power I would legalize it in a heartbeat.
Well, this was a little offensive to me, but, apology accepted. I'll just clarify, that, from my experience, pot is addictive.
bull I toked from the time I was 15 till just a few years ago, (over 20 years) with 6 month breaks about every 3 years or so. every day after work adn while partying Never experienced a single withdrawal symptom. I could quit toking anytime I wanted....easy cigs...not so easy. trust me, I *know* what withdrawal is like, Ive tried to quit smoking cigs a dozen times over the years.
Alcohol is positively the "gateway drug".It makes saying "YES" a lot easier...in addition to the physical and driving issues associated with it's use. Hydro,as mentioned previously is mentally and physically addictive.If you work out...Basketball,lifting,swimming,skiing,whatever then it is much easier to get it over with quicker and without as much wigginess...3 -5 days.Work up a good sweat each day and let those endorphins assist with the job. Once you stop it's a self perpetuating deal and becomes exponentially easier with each passing day. ...and repeat cycle as needed.
I smoke pot about onces or twice a year.. and only if someone else is offering. So not only am I one of the many lucky few who didn't get addicted to it, I also don't have to pay for it.
I smoked almost every day in 6th and 7th grade, completely stopped in 8th-11th, and picked it up again on occasion recently. No withdrawal symptoms, it was completely effortless. My brother smoked for almost 10 yrs straight then quit (tight on money, wanted to eat right). He also had no problems quitting or withdrawal symptoms.
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I don't doubt that some people can't have problems putting down the bong, but of all the drugs and druggies I know, I know many more people who have quit smoking weed than people who have quit smoking cigs or quit drinking. I'm not saying its easy for everybody. But I think the number of people who have trouble stopping cold turkey are a VAST minority to the average stoner who quits pain-free. This is not the case for every other drug I know of. Heck, people who give up caffeine complain more about withdrawal symptoms than ex-potheads.
Here, everyone smokes hash. I tried it a few times and really did not enjoy it much. I used to smoke a particular variety of weed in LA that made me very calm. Hizbollah hash made me extremely paranoid. I like milder things, like cocaine and Wild Turkey. I think with a mood-altering substance, a person's brain chemistry and state of mind has alot to do with how it affect you. How many people are cheery and fun to be around when they are trying to drink their way out of a depression? The real gateway drug is nicotine. If you are willing to knowingly pollute your body than it becomes easier to justify the short term gains of something else. And take risks. But I don't think a pot-head is as dangerous to himself or his finances as an alcoholic, sex addict, gambling addict or video game addict.
