The Trap of Drugs

Stop alcohol

Life has a lot in it—good and bad—pleasant and awful—delightful and terrifying—that’s part of the fun of living, isn’t it? It’d be dull if things were quiet and predictable and orderly all the time. There has to be challenges and strife and goals and barriers to overcome to reach them for life to have flavor.

There are traps for the unwary. Drugs is a big one. They promise extra pleasure and sensation, or (temporary) relief from the pain and suffering of life. But as one uses, one loses—loses dignity, loses self, really—and in the meantime, one’s body bears the brunt of the abuse. Is it really worth it?

Is the promise of temporary relief or stimulation worth enslaving oneself to a degrading habit?

Growing up in Russia, where alcohol use is rife, I have seen people stripped of dignity, lying on the side of the road, unable to even control their own body, let alone manage their life and affairs; their face disfigured by chronic alcohol use. It terrified me as a child that I might lose myself, my control, my captainship of my own life to a substance—I resolved to stay away from drugs and alcohol.

It was not easy to do in a culture where you drink to celebrate and to drown good news and to greet your friends and to say goodbye.

I felt embarrassed when my adoptive father, whom I idolized, would slur his words and sway, balance impaired, after a dinner party with friends—I felt embarrassed for him. But he was having a good time.

One can have a good time without poisoning one’s nervous system and liver.

There is no need to harm oneself to enjoy life.

To think you need drugs to live is a big lie… Drugs take away more than they give, in the long run.

I have no regrets for choosing a drug-free and alcohol-free path in my life. I could not have achieved what I’ve achieved impaired by drugs and slowed by alcohol. A bit of social discomfort and not quite fitting in was worth it for me.

AUTHOR

Aleksey

Hi, my name is Aleksey and I have no regrets for choosing a drug-free and alcohol-free path in my life.

NARCONON EUROPE

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION