Making others uncomfortable when high

[Beltane]

SWIM's been thru rehab a couple times, and has found, almost universally, that most hard-core drug users are despicable. They lie, cheat, steal, lie some more and then steal some more. This is what he's gleaned from the countless stories he's sat through.

SWIM is different. And SWIM knows of a very few others who are also different. SWIM is an good guy-- he doesn't steal, make messes or break things-- accidentally or otherwise. Still, SWIM can't escape the fact that over and over, during periods of heavy use (coke, ketamine [especially,] opiates, DXM, etc.) he invariably makes those around him uncomfortable.

This has caused numerous problems for SWIM, losing a couple decent friends with sentiments like, "You're a great guy, but I just don't want that in my life."

Simply being impaired, during these periods of heavy use, SWIM has alienated some pretty decent people. Now SWIM wonders if others ever run into similar situations.

SWIM is 99% normal: 9-5 job, homeowner, responsible pet owner and maintainer of a clean and comfortable living space.

SWIM gets frustrated with the world at times like these, thinking, "So SWIM's fucked up, so what? He's not hurting or stealing from these people that surround him. So why the problems?"

SWIM doesn't like to hang around with junkies, and associates almost exclusively with truly "normal" people. SWIM wonders why these normal people are so intolerant of a person who chooses to spend a part of their life exploring alternate states of consciousness.

SWIM would probably be well advised to live alone and do his thing in private, but he's not happy when he's not living with cool roommates. Still, said situation arises more than he cares to deal with.

Any SWIYs found a way to deal with such situations in a positive manner? SWIM would love to hear thoughts-

- Beltane

[Nature Boy]

Perhaps SWIY should consider making his substance use as private as possible. SWIM only really openly uses cannabis, which is socially acceptable to a degree, many of his newer friends don't know anything about his experimenting with harder drugs and more powerful psychedelics. Then again, his use of these isn't frequent enough to draw suspicion. Personally SWIM would be a little offended if his friends rejected him for having his fun with drugs whilst not directly harming others. Perhaps SWIY should explain that to them.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Helpful and well thought out advice

[Beltane]

Originally Posted by Nature Boy

Perhaps SWIY should consider making his substance use as private as possible. SWIM only really openly uses cannabis, which is socially acceptable to a degree, many of his newer friends don't know anything about his experimenting with harder drugs and more powerful psychedelics. Then again, his use of these isn't frequent enough to draw suspicion. Personally SWIM would be a little offended if his friends rejected him for having his fun with drugs whilst not directly harming others. Perhaps SWIY should explain that to them.

SWIM's next course of action: total honesty. Tell the people he considers letting into his life that he has a penchant for mind/mood altering substances up front. Let them make the decision before it becomes an issues. Good advice-

- Beltane

[Alfa]

Originally Posted by Beltane

Still, SWIM can't escape the fact that over and over, during periods of heavy use (coke, ketamine [especially,] opiates, DXM, etc.) he invariably makes those around him uncomfortable

Please elaborate on this. What exactly does SWIB do, that makes those around him uncomfortable during periods of heavy use? How does SWIB behave?

Originally Posted by Beltane

Simply being impaired, during these periods of heavy use, SWIM has alienated some pretty decent people

Are there things that these people have said to SWIB about his behavior? Especially recurrent comments.