Is the straight way the right way?

So after revisiting the CM Punk/ Jeff Hardy beef, it got me thinking, if you don't smoke, drink or do drugs are you better than the people who do? Are Straight Edge people the ones to lead by example?

I don't smoke, drink or do drugs. I'm just not interested in consuming that stuff. However, I don't label myself "straight edge", don't think I'm better than people who do smoke/drink/do drugs, or think it's the universal "right way". It is the right way for me though, do think it is better for me and I am better for it in regards to myself. I don't brag about it though and only reveal that when it comes around in certain situations. And I don't know if "straight edge" people are the ones to lead by example. That's a matter of perspective. I do think that not consuming these things should be encouraged and that it's beneficial to a person's health (more often than not).

I wouldn't say your health/recreational habits make you a truly better person than someone else, there's more factors than just drinking/smoking/drug-doing into what makes a person "good" or "better" -- if that makes sense.

@thetruebarryallen: True but what about in terms of being more disciplined/ focused/ more self respecting?

Punk and Hardy are both buttheads.

But onto the topic. I used to to drugs, not any more. I personally like to be there mentally and emotionally and handle life as it comes. But that's me and I'm no better then anyone. Lead your life how you want

Again -- I believe it's a more complicated issue than that.

There are some people who would easily become consumed by bad habits should they begin partaking in drinking or drug use, but there are others who know their limits and because of this can partake in safe recreational usage of certain substances.

Someone might consider themselves more "disciplined" because they don't partake in drinking/drug usage, but they could be completely un-disciplined in other areas of their lives.

I truly think it varies from person to person.

To add an angle to this thread: Donald Trump satisfies the OP description perfectly.

On-topic: I think refraining from using drugs, smoking and drinking is certainly a good thing. I don't think those qualities alone can really define anyone, though. I think moral character and integrity are far more important in a person.

drugs is for the weak.

Eh, I don't drink or do drugs and I am a terrible person.

drugs,alcohol and cigarettes cost money that i could be using to buy samurai swords, guns and porn

It's a case by case basis IMO. Drug use ruins some people's lives, it grants other people a recreational activity they can enjoy without hurting other people, for some people it's a mixed bag, and for some they find legitimate personal introspective value in them.

As for me personally, drugs have granted me an enjoyable recreational activity, amazing bonding experiences with my best friends, and unique perspectives that have allowed me to view the world in different ways. The first time I got drunk and high, my perspective was so different than it usually was that it allowed me to consider the world from a different angle, and that's what truly kicked off me viewing the world in a deeper way. Before I started smoking weed, I was a much more bitter individual, but once I started doing so regularly I started to mellow out, and noticed a more positive outlook on life that was reflected in my interactions with other people.

And I have had four psychedelic experiences, three of which were the best days of my life, and all of which were the most self-reflective illuminating days of my life. Those experiences changed my perspective on life in a way that allowed me to make personal and moral sense out of the universe, allowed me to truly understand, view, and develop my spiritual/philosophical/religious beliefs from a logical perspective, and have transformed me into a more empathetic and moral person.

Now a lot of the times I'm alone while high on weed, I think introspectively and come to admissions of ways in which I haven't treated others the way I should, and made resolutions to be a better person in various ways.

I won't say that doing drugs has made me a better person than those who don't do drugs, but I will say it has made me a better person than I could've otherwise been.

Tobacco and alcohol causes more problems- deaths- than illegal drugs but for some reason they're not addressed as much

@tosca: Well not everyone who does drugs/alcohol does it to cope.

I'd say I'm healthier but not better.

It's a personal preference, nothing more.

I prefer the straight route, but Better is a very subjective term. Everyone can decide what they want to do with themselves, and it's their business. Talking about performance, you're more likely to be more efficient if you're not intoxicated I suppose, but that's about it.

All I know is that I like really good rum and whiskey.

Germans are efficient, Germans drink beer....therefore beer makes you efficient :)

Done in moderation, smoking, drinking and drugs is fine. Well, smoking done in moderation is still harmful and the other two cost money. Apart from that, nope.

I was expecting this to be about something completely different.

Yeah. Same here.

No point in doing drugs for me, I feel completely stoned even when perfectly sober.

I wouldn't know

@xwraith: About gay people? I guess I could have worded the title better

Straight edge people are normies. The extreme top and bottom of society both do loads of drugs.

When i saw this thread i,m immediately thought of this scene..lmao

Yes, it's the right way. However, we're still not perfect. We make mistakes, no matter what.

@jonez_: IIRC, drug use doesn't vary as much by class as you may suspect.

All these people saying drugs are for the weak, I'd like to see you go into work and be productive after being on the Sesh for 3 nights in a row. LOL

So drinking? Not just that but getting wasted?

...

Wut lol. Plenty of decent people smoke or drink its how you do it in moderation that counts. Having an addiction and dependence on it is whats bad. Plenty of non smokers and drinkers can be horrible people. I personally don't do either three but this is a weird thread

@stardance: The Sesh Is not just drinking lol ????

This

I think @darkdetective27 will agree that if you're not straight, something is wrong

But in all seriousness, yes. Buddhists believe they cloud the mind and keep us from finding peace and higher thinking

What we do often has a cost and a consequence, and choosing to abstain from such things, even when it's hard, is making an effort to choose not to succumb to be responsible and not support those activities or succumb to the consequences. Though I find this mainly applies to living in a first world where we are informed, often don't have to suffer inhuman living conditions, and often have the power to make a difference if we really want to. There's also something to be said about people trying to be the best they can be, physically, mentally, and morally, so that when the time is needed for them to step up, and/or contribute to society overall they can.

Not to mention as someone who's pent most of my life with people who suffer mental impairments or other invisible disabilities, it's kind of hard watching people throw away their sentience in such a careless manner

As for thinking if you're better or less than someone, I always saw thinking that way in any situation to be kind of a waste of thought. I think it's better to focus on being the best version of yourself (though I will admit, sometimes seeing someone who I think is better than myself does help motivate me to try harder sometimes)

I go to the gym, never smoke, drink or do drugs and the feeling of self righteousness is truly glorious

Certain drugs are nonaddictive and turn you into a superhuman. Most of this thread would be amazed at how big of heroes they'd turn into. I'd say you're better at being a person, but I doubt anyone here knows what I mean. There's more to it than the smoking or whatever. Just doing these certain drugs doesn't make you better or worse than anyone. The reason why you're doing them in the first place or what you're like when you do them for that matter are two things that would actually say something about you, whether it be better or worse. The same could be said for why you don't. Long story short: Everything is still case-by-case, so no, being straight-edge by itself doesn't prove anything.

LSD should totally replace Adderall.

I used to do drugs, parties, smoke, and drink but after going to a straight conversion camp, I'm straight now.

@poeticwarrior: So this one time at straight conversion camp... LOL! Unless you're serious then good for you.

@elijah_c_washington: LSD ftw!

It just mean they are more healthy, now let me finish eating my chick fi la sandwhich.

Actually I think so yes.

The moment we deal with stuff where people need to say "do in moderation" or something like that you know you are dealing with someone doing something they aren't supposed to and they need to limit themselves in doing that. A better person wouldn't tempt themselves in the first place. Same goes for rape and murder, there is no such thing as "in moderation" with things that can harm anyone