Escapism & Drug Use

[quili]

Swim has a friend who is pretty critical of her drug usage. Swim hates the term "escapism," or rather dispises blanket statements that would suggest something like "all usage of drugs are an attempt to escape reality and therefore suggest that you are unhappy." So silly. Swim knows there are specific instances when she uses drug x, y, or z to avoid this or that (not to mention the term reality is debatable in the first place), but in general she feels her usage is for: 1) varied and different experiences 2) fun 3) curiousity/exploration (which relates to 1) and probably others.

So the question(s) swim has are something like this: how do others feel about the term escapism? Do others feel they frequently or generally are using for this reason? What are others' reasons for using?

[FrankenChrist]

It is natural for humans to have escapist tendencies. A toddler will spin rounds on the playground, just to experience another state of reality. It is actually more unnatural to feel guilty about perfectly normal things.

The church stamped out all religious ceremonies that got the believer into very different states of mind, to guarantee a stable society. This is why "no drugs" are the norm today.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Intelligent post.

[IHrtHalucingens]

SWIM has also been subject to the assumption that his drug use is escapism, and also doesnt like it. he has been told numerous times by his parents and the shrinks he has been sent to see by his parents that his drug use stems from deep depression and he uses them to escape the life he hates so much. Lol this is the biggest load of crap SWIM ever heard, he knows that some people fall under these circumstances, but SWIM definately doesnt. He very much enjoys his life and is very happy and content with it. SWIMs drug use stems mostly from curiosity and boredom. in his town there is not alot to do but get high. This is how he started, then once he realized the power of drugs and his respect for them grew he now uses drugs for the mind expanding experience and for a better understanding of "reality". The pleasure and novelty of drugs has become a secondary factor.

Reputation Comments on this post:

i agree totally with non-users assumptions on escapism

[Orchid_Suspiria]

It depends on the type of drug,some psychedellics are not an escape at all infact they may bring things that hurt or bother swiy to the surface even more.On the other end of the spectrum things like opiates and any sort of downer is very much an escape.

[Heretic.Ape.]

Labmonkey says that if you're looking to escape your own issues psychedelics are not likely to accomidate you. Alcohol on the other hand, he's done his fair share of drinking to escape.

[Orchid_Suspiria]

Swim knows of no better escape than some good,high quality,smack.

Reputation Comments on this post:

I agree, nothing else matters with this

[tayo]

experimentation can lead to realizing that hmm this drug is better than those people. and that could be considered an escape. and for psychedelics (most), that's a reality that could be considered a rebirth at times.

"escaping" reality doesn't mean that you're unhappy, it means you're unhappy with a certain reality, for instance inhumanities... but escape might be used if someone were in a situation where they didnt want to talk to someone so they literally went outside to "smoke a cigarette" but really it was to escape literally, from a situation.

[Humanity]

Seems to me that when someone starts using to escape life's misery, that's when things get unhealthy for you. Seek help...

SWIM has only ever smoked MJ for fun, as he doesn't take it as something you could "expand your mind" with; and has tripped on shrooms once - didn't really have a goal there, but it sure wasn't escaping.

[soma]

To my kitten, psychedelics and opiates are good for fun. To escape, now that just screams alcohol and benzodiazepines.

[hippieduster]

Escapism is the totally wrong term with psychs. Sometimes you need to get away . Helps you out and makes you learn about your inner soul!!