This sucks man. I am THE only one.

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>Has anyone else been through this? Over the past few weeks I've learned a lot about my fellow friends/classmates/dormmates in terms of their drug habits. I already knew about a lot of people, but recently the frequency of drug use among people I wouldn't suspect has risen, and it IS surprising to me. I guess I was too naive.</p>

<p>The "nicest" kids, the "smartest" kids, the "most responsible" kids are the ones on weed and vodka on the weekend besides doing Adderall on the weekdays to get through their classes. I found out that basically, on my hall, I am THE only one that doesn't do any form of drugs. There are like forty kids, mostly really smart, really nice kids, on my hall. And I am the only one who hasn't done anything drug-related.</p>

<p>Its been a mind-blowing few weeks for me. The nonchalant "confessions" and descriptions of drug use have been just pouring out.</p>

<p>I'm sure some of you guys have already been through it. My view of some people has definitely gone up in smoke so to speak... I don't think badly of them for their decisions, I'm just really surprised. Anyone relate? </p>

<p>I'm just a freshman so I'm not as worldly as many of you guys are. I guess I seem really naive and stupid for expressing surprise at the truly immense frequency and distribution of drug use.</p>

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<p>I went through the same thing as a freshman in hs -- it really can be mind blowing! (I don't plan on touching alcohol or drugs -- and no, I'm not a prude, it's just not my thing...but sometimes it's amazing that for so many people, it is.)</p>

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<p>in my high school, this guy in my class who's like a total pothead.. and i mean 'weed is life'.. he got the best IGCSE scores IN THE WORLD for several subjects he took.. and he never even really concentrated.. haha kinda funny he's just smart like that :)</p>

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<p>Nothing wrong with certain things - drinking, smoking, etc. in moderation is fine. Adderall can be addictive and is not so fine.</p>

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<p>Smoking in moderation? Hmmm....</p>

<p>I don't judge people based on their decisions with substances, but I'd hardly encourage any smoking, even in moderation!</p>

<p>Edit: Just occured to me that perhaps you meant pot. My post was in reference to cigarettes.</p>

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<p>i had a friend who showed up to take the sat completely stoned. he wound up with like a 1510 and was "dissapointed in his score" and decided to take it again, non stoned and wound up with a 1410.</p>

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<p>lolol, thats something :)</p>

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<p>I have classmate who I learned is a frequent user of weed. He also happens to be one of the smartest guys in my engineering class, but he doesn't want to get a job. If he smokes as much as others say he does I doubt he would ever pass an employer's drug test.</p>

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<p>i am not into the drug thing at all (whether it be completely illegal ones such as weed, or prescriptions), but if other people are, then that's their choice. for some people that works for them. i have a friend who never goes to class or reads the books she has, but will stay up for two days in a row (on adderall) before an exam and she completely aces them. that works well for her and she has a 3.8, so i won't knock it.</p>

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<p>Sure there will always be exceptions to the rule, but that DOESNT mean that drug or alcohol use will work out as well for you. Alcohol and drugs of course have different affects on different people. Your friend might smoke weed and get straight As, but youll smoke it loose your sense of concentration or whatever. Point is that whom ever smokes and/or drinks for recreation or to get through the semester are usually the ones who end up abusing the substances they claim they "casually" take.</p>

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<p>For some people the drugs work. But it doesn't work the same for everyone. </p>

<p>The thing with the Adderall, obviously most of these students I'm talking about are not ADHD and don't need it, and do not have a prescription for it. What they do is buy the Adderrall-- pill by pill-- from someone else who got it from someone else who knows some random jackass that stole it or bought it from someone that actually had the ADHD as their prescription drug. No joke. Its already passed through so many hands- been stolen, been given, been bought and used or resold-- its incredibly sketchy. Stupid, even.</p>

<p>The money you get for selling the pilfered Adderall you spend to buy your pot. </p>

<p>Even if the drug worked for everyone, and helped everyone focus when they studied and led them to eventually acing their tests-- where is the **moral facet? Are grades really so important that you would go to such lengths to do well?</p>

<p>Does anyone care that its illegal? Does anyone care that they were acing a test out of dishonest means? Does anyone realize that people CAN ace tests withOUT using prescribed drugs (that they bought for six bucks a pill from someone else)? Does anyone care that you're not suppossed to take other people's prescribed medicine? Does anyone care that some of the drugs they buy has been stolen in the first place? </p>

<p>I guess not. Wow, I love being an American university student. No one gives a **** about anything. College is quickly becoming the most disillusioning time of my life. Honor, honesty and intergrity have become the biggest jokes on campus.**</p>

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<p>Have you chosen a roommate for next year yet? If not, it sounds like you might want to be careful with whom you pick. If they get caught doing something in your room, you could end up in a lot of trouble...so be careful. That said, I can't imagine the entire school is like that, so don't let it color your experiences too much.</p>

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<p>My daughter attended one dance at her high school in freshman year. There were so many kids smoking pot in the bathrooms and outside she has never gone to another dance. She has seen two individuals in her school go to rehab - one changed schools so they would not end up hanging out with the same people and make the same mistakes. The other was kicked out by parents senior year and eventually ended up in rehab with their help. The student left the area after rehab. She couldn't understand how these bright, smart young people ended up letting their lives fall apart before they were out of high school.</p>

<p>Does your school have a healthy living/substance free dorm - make it a point to sign up for this type of dorm. You will be in a better atmosphere for you and meet others who make a commitment to healthly living. There may even be some individuals who have already gone through rehab and realize this type of dorm is better for them.</p>

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<p>Hmm. Well I don't know about the OP, but at my school we have a substance free/"healthy" living dorm and many of those students still uh... partake in a certain "natural" product that one can't exactly buy at the Whole Foods. </p>

<p>I agree in that substance abuse-- whether drugs or alcohol-- is unstoppable. It reaches every subgroup and clique and social status. It is to be found anywhere on any campus. Even the "healthy" living dorms. Hypocrisy when it comes to drugs is also to be found everywhere. You just can't escape it. Maybe if you go to a Baptist university of something.</p>

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<p>I don't think that the marijuana use is too troubling. Excessive alcohol and drug abuse, yes. What school do you go to, btw?</p>

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<p>I believe that drugs are drugs are drugs are drugs are drugs. How can you put pot in one catagory and say "Ok this is safe or not as bad" and then say that crack, or coacain are horrible substances?They call pot the "gateway drug" because it leads you into substances like coacain. Its all still unhealthy and its all still illegal. You cant really put pot into a separate catagory 'cause its just not possible.</p>

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<p>rayj, I've never even smoked pot and I still know better than that. It's not illegal because of currently held scientific beliefs and the "gateway" connection is no stronger than the "gateway" connection of, say, cigarettes. Smoking pot might be unhealthy, but it's healthier than getting drunk or smoking cigarettes. But why are those things legal? Because they're socially acceptable. There are drugs that are very harmful: crack cocaine, meth, ecstacy, heroine, cocaine, etc - and those that have little toxicity: marijuana, LSD, psilocybin.</p>

<p>Again, I don't use drugs (except for alcohol, sometimes - and caffeine, frequently), but my conclusions aren't "out there." Think critically and think for yourself.</p>

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<p>Nope, sorry, cant say that I agree with you. Durgs are still that to me, drugs. It doesnt matter how you try to spin it. There are harmful affects to your so called "socially acceptable" drugs like caffine, and of course nicotine. These things are legal because industries profit of the wide spread nicotine addiction and the fact that people cant stop going to Starbucks three times a day. I really believe that its not just the drugs themselves but the developd addiction that goes along with it. Its very simple any thing done in an excessive amount for prolonged periods of time and for reasons that are physically and mentally unhealthy can lead to addiction. </p>

<p>And I completely believe that pot is a gate way drug. Its very simple. If your a person who normally drinks alot of tea and the caffine dose just isnt doing it for you anymore what are you going to do? Upgrade to something stonger like coffee. Coffee isnt getting you off like it used to? Start drinking espresso. As I said, it really very simple and a completely valid point.</p>

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<p>Oh man. First of all, RayJ is making some extremely naive statements.</p>

<p>First of all, drugs are drugs because society labels them that way. Alcohol is legal but in many ways people would agree that it's more dangerous than alcohol. Alcohol tends to make people quite aggressive, this is why you hear about guys fighting at parties, kids being beaten by their alcoholic father, etc. Weed actually doesn't really do this. It calms people down and they end up pretty relaxed. The only thing is, one is legal one is not. And it's not for safety concerns so don't go there. It's for the concerns about society. People feel that our society isn't ready to have weed legalized (while in amsterdam for instance it is). And yeah, I agree with that. We've got lots of dumb people who would just sit around and smoke.</p>

<p>The other thing is medically, most sources will say that weed doesn't have much of an affect on the brain and it's not a addictive. The people weed becomes a gateway drug for are the types of people who just want to try drugs. It doesn't compell you to go out and get more and more high.</p>

<p>To me, Weed is a personal choice. As long as it's done in moderation it's okay. And I know people who actually perform better while smoking. They're people who are naturally suffer from excessive anxiety and the weed helps take the edge off.</p>

<p>Considering people take things like zoloft, prozac, etc -- I don't see weed as a substance much different. The people perscribed drugs in America are actually over perscribed in my mind. Just like with ADHD.</p>

<p>As for the whole issue of taking Adderal to improve performance in school, I'm semi-guilty of this. I take piracetam before tests. The thing is, Piracetam's not legal in the US but people don't really even know if it works. You can take XXX pills and never overdose. But, i've noticed that I do better on exams while on it, so even if it's a placebo effect it's okay with me because that just means i'm really capable of doing good work.</p>

<p>As for Adderal specifically, i've got friends who do this. And yeah, it's kind of an unfair advantage but at the same time, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. You know what, that margin between an A and a B can be just a few points, and if taking a drug that keeps you up all night will help you grab that A, why not? The rest of society, employers, etc aren't going to sympathize with your situation. Jobs, grad school, etc are getting more and more competitive each year -- and what it comes down to is if you're willing to go the limit to TAKE what you desire because society isn't going to willingly give it to you.</p>

<p>I've got friends who take Adderal and none of them feel addicted to it, maybe the people who do are just psychologically addicted. They probably begin to believe that the only way they can make a good grade is to take the pill.</p>

<p>And I was against taking anything drugs that would help me study initially, but when you're classmates are doing it, and you're taking 22 hours (the average course load is 15 hours at my school, i'm basically taking an additional 2 full courses in comparison to everyone) you're going to be pulling things like doube all nighters, having weeks where every day is a test, etc. And when that time comes, sometimes you'll need a bit of an advantage to keep you going strong -- and that's why I decided to go with piracetam (which again, could be just a placebo)</p>

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<p>And all youve done is waste alot of typing space and being insulting. First off please DO NOT come in here and call the opinions of another person "dumb" Because I am entitled to my opinion just as you are entitled to yours. I could call you an ass for the comment you directly toward me but that wouldnt be very nice now would it. For future refernce state your opinion with out insulting the opinions of another. That makes you look "dumb" and disrepectful.</p>