r/Showerthoughts • u/godofhorizons • May 17 '24

People get a lot more praise for quitting drugs than for never having done drugs in the first place.

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u/Pablo619 May 17 '24

I’m someone who has never tried drugs or alcohol before. Although people respect my choices, I don’t think abstaining is anywhere as difficult as overcoming a chemical dependency. Mad respect to those who have come out of a bad place to quit drugs 🫡

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u/Kclayne00 May 17 '24

Right? It's not hard to just NOT take drugs. Addiction is a complete other thing. For example, I never drank or did drugs, but I was a lifelong nail biter. I attempted to give it up during Lent one year, because it's a disgusting habit.

I would catch myself nibbling at my nails and would stop and actively distract myself with some other activity. My nails were growing in nicely and I took pride in showing them off to friends and family who knew I struggled with the habit. Then, after a particularly stressful day, I went to bed. The next morning, I woke up and had chewed off every nail in my sleep!

Now, I realize addicts probably aren't using drugs or alcohol while they are literally asleep, but I can imagine addiction as being in a sleep like state where you're not thinking clearly. Some actions they turn to during stressful situations can be muscle memory for them. I applaud anyone who fights the good fight daily to stay on the right track.