For discussion

[TNBear]

thoughtcatalog.com/2012/discussion-which-drugs-are-acceptable-and-which-drugs-are-real-drugs/

[Tsavodiner]

Well, start with a definition:

www.wordiq.com/definition/Affect

Any external element that changes it is an "influence", whether it's a drug or not under the common understanding of the word.

If your survival depends on your affect being accurate and dependably realistic to rely on, you shouldn't mess with it unduly, which is why I don't.

Interesting choice of subject, given your signature. Freudian?

[TNBear]

Not sure how affects became involved , but I do consider alcohol a drug, and a very potent one at that. Tobacco also. Both the foregoing most likely are responsible for more grief and suffering than some illeagal drugs.

[Justin Thyme]

I have no problem with anyone using any drug. I often have a problem with their behavior while under the influence of that drug and I do not allow them the excuse of "I was high" to mitigate their behavior.

I stopped using the illegal drugs years ago, about 34 years ago to be more specific. I reached a moment in my life where reality was much more important unaltered than it was altered so I quit drugs, alcohol and tobacco. After about five years of complete sobriety I went back to moderate usage of alcohol and tobacco. I realized that my misuse of alcohol was not due to alcoholism but just being a dumb kid and an occassional cigar probably wasn't any worse for my health than all the other pollutants in my life. I've stayed completely away from the illegal drugs due to the fact that they are illegal and I've had no particularly compelling reason to risk the legal problems just to get high. I've actually had no particularly compelling reason to want to get high. The occassional glass of whiskey along with a cigar is all the chemical stress relief I need.

But, just because I don't feel a need to get high doesn't mean it can't be therapuetic or just plain fun for the next guy. As long as they behave themselves and don't put anyone or anything at risk why should I worry abobut what they ingest?

[Bob]

As far as using drugs, I'm in pretty much the same boat as Justin.

I do believe that if Marijuana was legal and taxed as is alcohol the abuse of prescription drugs would decline.

[TNBear]

Possibly alcohol use/abuse as well.