The Hypocrisy of Alcohol Versus Drugs
I don’t know all the drug and alcohol laws in every country, but here in America, hypocrisy is the golden rule. The way society and law enforcement perceives drugs is an outrage. I find it disgusting how liquor guzzling people look down on those who use drugs. This may sound like a bizarre statement to many - please read on.
Does Occasional Use Make You An Addict?
If a person drinks beer occasionally or maybe has a glass of wine with meals, they are considered normal. If a person smokes pot or snorts an occasional line of cocaine, they are widely viewed as a scumbag drug addict. By that same rationale, if marijuana were legal, it would be considered normal to smoke it and would lose the drug addict label. I find it amazing that one of the most dangerous drugs known, alcohol, is legal. Not only is it legal, it is socially acceptable. It is considered a reward for a hard day work or for a celebration of any kind. It is advertised everywhere and incessantly tantalizes young people. Don’t you love the funny beer commercials during the superbowl? It’s socially acceptable to be a legal drug abuser.
beer drinking girls
Imagine these ladies having crack pipes instead - how would it change your perception?
Alcohol is made into fancy, colorful and delicious mixed drinks. Influential actors and musicians are famous for being drinkers and drug users - they are admired for it. I would argue that musicians like The Beatles, Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix would have not been as good without using drugs. I’m not saying you should use drugs to improve your artistic abilities, but certainly affected the minds of these people. I have made millions of drinks for millions of discerning alcohol drinkers, it’s like bartending in a crack house. In Burma and Thailand, methamphetamine is known as yaba. It is offered in strawberry, banana and other assorted flavors - how horrifying is that? To make a dangerous drug taste like candy so it appeals to children certainly is a terrible thought. Alcohol based mixed drinks are the same thing! The difference is, one is legal, the other is not.
You maybe thinking that methamphetamine is by far worse than alcohol. I hate to tell you, it is not. Alcohol kills more people than all drugs combined. Alcohol is physically addictive; methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, hallucinogenic mushrooms, peyote and LSD are not. A highly addicted alcoholic can die from the withdrawal, much like a person addicted to xanax or heroin can.
95% of all drug related deaths worldwide are caused by alcohol and tobacco
To see a judge sentence a 19 year old to prison for 8 years on a first offense drug charge because they had one 10mg valium is an absolute injustice - especially if that judge goes home and drinks a liter of scotch. I saw that happen yesterday and it really got under my skin ( I am only hypothesizing about the judge drinking). Nearly all young people will try drugs or get drunk at some point. Most will outgrow their use, but many will end up destroying their lives. I have what I consider the most accurate comparison chart of respective dangerous drugs including alcohol here: drug comparisons.
Should Drugs Be Decriminalized?
I believe that drugs should be completely decriminalized in favor of treatment. It’s ridiculous to send someone to prison because they are caught with drugs. Prison will only worsen things and ruin that person’s life; however, a person selling large quantities of illicit substances, does deserve prison.
So I ask you, should alcohol be illegal? Should the laws be changed in favor of treatment for people? One of the oldest arguments is that if alcohol is legal, then marijuana should be legal too; it is in some states and countries. In my opinion, marijuana should be legal. If not, then make alcohol illegal.
nicole richie cocaine
Nicole Richie licking cocaine off a plate. How appealing is that?
What is a more difficult drug addiction to conquer: cocaine or alcohol? I would say that alcohol is much more difficult for most people. What is another completely legal drug that is one of the most difficult to quit of all? Tobacco. To quit smoking cigarettes is probably as difficult as heroin or alcohol, maybe even more!
The point is, we all live in an extremely biased world filled with hypocrisy. I believe that all substances that alter the mind are bad for you. They destroy lives, cause heart attacks, cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, brain damage and so forth. I will never personally judge someone for using drugs. I will however help them if they want it. What bothers me to no end is someone who drinks alcohol saying something negative about a drug user. If you drink alcohol, even in scarce moderation, you too are a drug user and are no better than a crack head…period. If the previous sentence offends you and you drink, you might be a hypocrite! We are all equal and should be treated as such.
* What are some of the drug and alcohol laws in your country?
* The cute girls drinking beer is German Beer Girls by TripleDuck
* The picture of Nicole Richie is from Nicole Richie really likes cocaine
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39 Responses to “The Hypocrisy of Alcohol Versus Drugs”
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well i for one have never been arrested for doing drugs,, or the things i have been doing while on drugs……. and god knows i have done truckloads of them… but add some alcohol and look out honey its on,,, and probably wont stop till i am in jail… you tell me……
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I really don’t like it when people lost control of their full capacity whether it be from alcohol or from any illegal substances. I’m not a prude, I’ve tried lots of stuff in my past and I decided I didn’t want to be that person. I still have an occasional glass of wine with dinner (maybe twice a month) but if that became illegal, I’d miss it a little but still be fine without it. I think it is the abuse of these things and the fact that some of them are so addictive that causes problems. I would have no problem with some drugs being legal for medicinal use (I personally wouldn’t want to use them because there are plenty of other, legal drugs that will be prescribed if I need them) but I’m not convinced any of them really have any medicinal value that other, already legal (when prescribed) drugs don’t already have.
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Oh, I meant to add that at first, I thought one of those German girls was Elisha Cuthbert!
teeni’s last blog post..Im Chatty and The 4th Occasional Teeni Awards
Well Paisley, I certainly don’t want you to go to jail. Be very, very careful and take care of yourself
Hi Teeni, I have done my share of partying and lost many brain cells because of it. The last addiction I overcame was cigarettes - it was by far the most difficult of all. Now, I am pretty much a health nut; although, I do eat a lot of chicken & fish…haha! I really have nothing against alcohol, but marijuana is a much safer drug.I just think counseling and treatment are a much better punishment than a felony charge and prison sentence. I hope one day they change the law.
Hahaha…she does look like her. Her name is actually Helga Von Schneider from Nuremberg, Germany. She loves to guzzle gargantuan mugs of frothy lager and is known to frequent Rhine River steamboat tours
I had a laugh at the start of your post. When I started at AA most people went out of their way to point out that they didn’t do drugs - they were just alcoholics - I always found that quite funny.
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Hi John! Haha…yes, that is something I’ve heard many times in much the same way. I hear it all the time…I might be an alcoholic, but I would never be stupid enough to do drugs! Alcohol is a drug! Anyone who can quit drinking and really work a recovery program has my absolute respect. I believe that alcohol and opiates are by far the most difficult of all addictions. Thanks
I come from the school of a drug is a drug is a drug and that includes alcohol. I’m an addict and I know from my own experience that ANY mind or mood altering substance is not okay fro me to use…..they all in one way, shape or form lead me all down the same path of self-destruction.
As for me, if your an addict…..they all lead the same place…nowhere.
It does amuse me how alcoholics and society in general tends to look upon the addict that uses other substance…the “bad” ones.
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Hi Bobby, thank you for visiting my Pheebs today, she’s so pleased! I can’t wait for my EC ad to appear here. Now that I’ve seen yours, I know why you don’t really like it. It does look scary yes?
Sorry to be off topic!
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Hi Bobby
Having seen the effects that drug addiction, even marijuana, can have and knowing the susceptibility of impressionable teenagers, I now no longer believe in legalization as a way of control. Alcohol is dangerous too but it is too widely accepted for society as a whole to believe this - dependence on it seen as a weakness that comes with an “it could not happen to me” attitude - until it does happen.
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Sigh, anything addictive and destroys lives should be illegal or truly controlled. “Controlled substances” — alcohol, tobacco, narcotics — can cause you to become physiologically or psychologically dependent on them. Sometimes, it even causes people to do the most stupid things. What’s tricky is that we also see ads or articles about the “benefits” of some of these substances. So, I agree with you when you said “we all live in an extremely biased world filled with hypocrisy”. When you experience alcohol, tobacco, & narcotics (at any age), you are expected to determine your own limitations. Sometimes, that is quite difficult to do especially when it is both socially acceptable and considered a reward. Your addiction may have started from the very first time you’ve tried it. I am not here to judge anyone who drinks alcohol, uses drugs, or is a chain smoker. I’m no angel…and have been through my own share of mishaps. I just want to say that since we do live in such a world, please do think about your limitations or even before doing anything. Think of the possible end result: how it will affect your family, your friends, your life.
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I wish they wern’t so addictive outside of that they are so much fun…
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Yes! They lead to nowhere and end with prison or death. I just hate the mixed signals society dictates to people. It’s ok to chug down 190 proof grain alcohol, but anything else and you’re a scumbag. Prescription drug abusers see themselves as not being as bad as those who use street drugs too. It’s hard enough to quit drugs without having society brand you a degenerate
Well, I wanted something a little strange, but until I find what I’m looking for, I will continue with that picture. I can’t wait to see your ad here too Marzie!!!
I agree that all drugs including alcohol are bad. They should be decriminalized though. Treatment and counseling is far more effective than a prison sentence. If a young kid makes a few mistakes, their entire lives are ruined…that is the real problem
Wouldn’t it be great if anti alcohol public service ads were shown in the media 24-7? They only warn about drunk driving. They never mention how many people die from it. I know a 22 year old girl who died last year from drinking beer for only a few years. Her liver shut down and alcohol induced liver failure automatically disqualified her from getting a transplant. I’m no angel either, but I did finally grow up!
In Singapore, the govt is strict. Cigarettes and alcohol can be bought by 18 years and above. And if you are caught smuggling drugs over (I forgot) a certain gram, you will be hanged till death.
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This hyprocisy has been going on for a long time. I actually was brought up on that. Over here when your 12 years old schools educate you on the dangers of drugs. Alcohol is not considered equally bad as drugs, therefore we didn’t need to be educated on that. And it’s still like that today. Hence I’ve never done drugs, ever, but I enjoy a drink or 2. BTW, using and growing (limited,for own use) marijuana is legal over here.
It’s the same discussion and hypocrisy with sex vs violence. Kids need to be shielded from sex, but violence is ok.
Marijuana should without a doubt be legalized immediately. The number of inmates in US prisons today on pot trafficking charges is enormous. This is a complete and total waste of resources.
Jonathan Richards
Federal-Prison.org
Hypocrisy is the American Golden Rule?
And, I thought the Golden Rule was whoever has the most Gold makes all the rules!
Meanwhile back to your party, any issue in a capitalist country could be easily solved by Supply and Demand. Demand drops when there is no supply.
Prohibition (1919-1933) was a poor attempt to stop the supply of alcohol. The government overlooked (or did they?) the key problem which was and is: the Profit of the Golden Rule drives the Drug market.
Where have I seen Helga Von Schneider before? Maybe, Miss Moneypenny’s Six Word Meme-oirs might help me remember?
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Hi Haney! Singapore has tough penalties
Here you have to be 21 to drink but 15 to drive. I think all the 15 year old drivers drink though!
Eating razor blades is fun (and impressive) until you use the bathroom
Where do you live, in the Netherlands? I think it’s virtually impossible to shield kids from violence and sex, that is a job for the parents - a very difficult job.
Hi Johnathan, I completely agree. I know many parents and religious groups would have a major problem with such a law. The only thing that having pot illegal does, is fill jail cells, it has absolutely no effect on it’s availability - people will get it regardless. BTW, that’s a very interesting book you’ve written
Yes Debbie! The hypocrites with all the gold make all the rules. Remember the US gold seizure in the 1930’s? Every American had to forfeit their gold to the federal government or they got 10 years in prison! It was the greatest crime in American history. That’s when the “redeemable in gold” logo was removed from the dollar bill. Now it’s redeemable in nothing!!!!!
I would rather spend the evening with a bunch of stoners (on pot) than a bunch of drunks anyday.
Drinking affects people normally for the worse.
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I only wish I were a health nut!
Drugs, Alcohol, tobacco are just some of the things the Government lies about or does not tell the whole truth. Prescription drugs to me are just as bad as illegal drugs. I smoked Mary jane for a loong number of years and stopped “snap” just like that. I have been on Sertraline (Zoloft) for a couple of years and am hopelessly addicted. I have tried to get off this drug numerous times and only with research, found out that I am not alone. So you tell me. Which is worse? Drugs the pharmaceutical companies make or a natural high with Mary Jane?
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There is a difference between a part time user of alcohol and marijuana and those who cant get through the day without. I smoke cigarettes, a terrible addiction, I also drink alcohol but not everyday or week. Yes I can safely say my addiction is cigarettes. However, I have shared my life with a habitual pot smoker, and I’m talking 3 to 4 times a day smoking joints or bongs or both. It isn’t worth the hassle of the paranoia and erratic behaviours experienced to ever go there again. I don’t believe jail time is the answer but I will fully support against legalisation of marijuana. I have seen and lived first hand what addiction to pot does , so don’t anyone tell me it isn’t addictive and has no side effects. Small casual users are ok, not these people who can’t get through a day without being stoned or drunk.
Hi Ettarose, I had a friend who died from xanax withdrawal, which is a common prescription medication. Xanax withdrawal is one of the most difficult drugs to quit known, yet is not thought of as being that bad!
Some of the most erratic behavior I’ve ever seen is from people going through cigarette withdrawal. I quit several years ago but it was extremely difficult. I know that until the day I die, I will be in tobacco recovery - the addiction NEVER goes away. Marijuana is psychologically addictive but can be tough to quit for some people. Overall, alcohol is by far more dangerous than pot.
You can never convince me that marijuana isn’t addictive , I said that alcohol and cigarettes are addictive and fully acknowledge that. Those who play down the effects of pot and the psychological effects are kidding themselves. Alcohol is dangerous, very much so but don’t stick your head in the sand over pot.
At the end of the day, whether it is addictive or not, if one has to spend the day being stoned, day in, day out, what does that tell you. Cigarette and alcohol addiction is just as bad with behaviour changes as marijuana. Those who smoke pot everyday, all day have their heads buried in the sand if they think it doesn’t affect their behaviour . They live in denial as much as the next addict.
Hi Nunyaa, I do agree that pot is bad and people do become psychologically addicted to it. However, a person cannot die from quitting smoking pot like they can when quitting alcohol. I really don’t want pot or any drug to be legal, just decriminalized. Drug treatment produces better results than prison. I think alcohol and tobacco should be controlled substances and treated the same as all drugs. Putting people in jail because they have pot is counterproductive and a waste of taxpayer dollars.
You had better believe that, I also realise that smoking pot does help in cases where conventional medicines don’t. Pity those that have to face the stigma of being in posession of an illegal substance if this is the case. Wouldn’t it be a great place if ciggies , alcohol and all those other nasties weren’t around, now, where is my coffee ?
I have to disagree on this one. The reasons people look down on others who do drugs (except alcohol) are:
1-pot is a “gateway” drug. If someone smokes pot, they are far more likely than the general population, to do other, more heinous drugs.
2-if someone is wiling to break the law to do drugs, it makes you wonder what other laws they are ignoring
One other thing, cocaine and methamphetamine are powerfully addictive. Who is going to “snort an occasional line of cocaine?”
I have never done any drugs (ok, an occasional glass of wine) but I have known lots of people who do, in varying degrees of intensity. My ex husband was a boxer and became addicted to pain pills after an injury. One thing I’ve observed is the ambitious, hard working (illegal) drug user is almost nonexistent.
Should alcohol be illegal (assuming we’re going to criminalize certain drugs)? Probably.
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Yes pot is a gateway drug, but so is alcohol. People often forget that alcohol is a drug an much more difficult to quit than either cocaine or methamphetamine, neither of which are physically addictive, but are psychologically addictive. You could do meth every day for 10 years and quit cold turkey with absolutely no physical withdrawal symptoms - I know because I did it.
Who is going to snort an occasional line of cocaine? I would say from my experience, most people who try it or go through a party phase in their younger years. Only a small percentage of people who try it actually become addicts, contrary to popular belief.
The hardworking, ambitious illegal drug user is nonexistent? Not true. The number 1 abused drug in silicon valley by computer programmers and mathematicians is methamphetamine. Cocaine is extremely popular among doctors, lawyers and politicians, many of whom used it to study in college.
I overcame all my addictions, and live happy and clean. I never drank alcohol because it wasn’t conducive to studying and learning, which is why I did them beieve it or not. I was able to read a book in three hours while doing it. My friends who had the same problems as me, but were also alcoholics have not been able to quit. I have gone to 19 funerals in the past 3 years. The friends of mine who were imprisoned for drug use, are ruined for life.
Drugs should not be legalized, but decriminalized in favor of treatment. Thank God I saved myself and never got locked up. 95% of the people in today’s prisons are just drug abusers. the other 5% are murderers, rapists and so forth. All drugs are bad, but society should not look down on these people, they need serious help, not a prison cell.
Thanks very much for reading this Robin. I am literally lucky to be alive and in perfect health. I take really good care of myself now. I am very glad you never tried drugs, and I think wine in moderation is very healthy, especially for circulation and heart health. Have a wonderful day
You are truly fortunate to come out of your partying days unharmed. OMG 19 funerals! I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself now!
I don’t know anyone well who does cocaine, but I have known some meth addicts who were nothing short of pitiful. If someone wasn’t addicted to meth, why would they do it until their teeth rot and they have sores all over their body? An internet search brought up lots of sites describing both drugs as very addictive. Perhaps they are similar to alchohol in that I could stop drinking my glass of wine any time I choose but other people might have a much harder time doing it? Take care, Bobby.
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I’ll tell you this, I no longer have friends in my life who use drugs as I cannot hang out with them. A requirement for someone to be my friend in real life, is that they cannot bring or do any drugs in my presence - I will leave. My health and freedom are far more important than risking everything just to be someone’s friend. I will help them if they want it though. It was easy for me to quit drugs and I have no desire to ever be high again. I think people who smoke meth and never brush their teeth are asking to die. I never smoked it or shot up, thankfully. I love my life and plan to live to a ripe old age, hopefully with a really nice wife…if I ever meet her…haha