Are alcohol and cigarettes really that enjoyable?

Question

Well, not that I'm interested but yesterday my new classmate (well, they shuffled students this session) asked me, "So will you do drugs, use cigarettes, go clubbing or drink alcohol when you grow up?"

I replied, "I will do none."

He said, "How will you enjoy life then?"

I replied, "I will do whatever I want, whatever I really want to do. I'll lead a passionate life where I'll do whatever I want."

"And what do you mean by whatever you want when you're really doing nothing thrilling? Won't life he boring if you don't have something you're hooked to?"

"Well, music is like my own alcohol. I'm addicted to it in my own ways. Writing is my own cigarette and it relieves my stress in it's own ways."

"Won't you at least try drinking aged wine because every rich person should do that."

"No one in my family drinks or smokes. And they're successful and happy without that."

"Wow, I mean okay but you will learn it hard way that your life will be pretty boring. I mean you would look quite cool while smoking and you will be quite popular in clubs if you go clubbing but anyways."

My question is, why is drinking and smoking so much overrated? Aren't they bad? Do they really worth all the damage they do? I don't think so.

zeitgeist057 · Accepted Answer

Both are drugs, nicotine and alcohol. They have altering effects on the body and mind. Nicotine is a stimulant, and causes a quick rush of euphoria. But I was a nicotine user for many years and I can tell you it is not worth it.

Are alcohol and cigarettes really that enjoyable?

Nicotine: The high you get isn't even really noticeable for 90% of the time you use nicotine, only the very first time in the morning when your nicotine levels are low, or if you have another extended length of time without nicotine. Other than that, it is more just a tiresome "maintenance dose" to keep from feeling irritable or crappy due to the lack of the drug. The negative effects on the respiratory system are profound, as well as other body systems. One of the single most impactful things a person can do for their health is to avoid/quit smoking.

Alcohol: I drank a lot in high school and college, and was a bartender for several years as well. Alcohol is popular because it produces a pleasant physical sensation at first, but it is actually a depressant, so notable effects are decreased reaction time, loss of coordination and balance, slurred speech, drowsiness, and decreased sensation. Increased flow of blood to the capillaries causes a warm feeling while paradoxically lowering core body temperature. The main appeal is as a "social lubricant". People loosen up their inhibitions, feel more confident and relaxed, and therefore enjoy themselves more in social settings which might otherwise produce anxiety. It is this principle effect which is the cause of alcohol's popularity.

On the dark side of alcohol, it is addictive for both its physical properties and psycho-social reasons. It is a very strong drug and as it is easily obtained, people often self-medicate for a wide variety of complaints from depression to chronic pain. Ironically, taking a depressant to cure depression is never a good idea and predictably simply leads to a more severe depression. Liver damage is another consequence. It is generally accepted medically that a drink every now and then has little to no negative impact, and perhaps even some slight benefit.

I no longer use tobacco and never plan to again in any form. I infrequently drink alcohol, limiting it to certain social events like my family Thanksgiving get together, or for example one day last week I went to a restaurant and had a draft stout with my cheeseburger. The last time I had alcohol before that was my sister visiting about a month ago.

I enjoy a high quality alcoholic beverage every now and then, but if you choose to forgo them your entire life, I would say you are missing out fairly minimally. It would be on the same level as if someone decided to exclude some other random thing from their life. One can certainly live a full life without ever having sushi, skydiving, scuba diving, cheese, wine, potatoes, sex, or meditation. I think it's more about if you start to eliminate too many things from your life, you start to miss out on the full experience. I choose to participate and include more things in my life, but I also understand the desire to keep unhealthy choices either limited or excluded entirely. Best of health and life to you!

CB-Raido-Time · Accepted Answer

Both are addictions not habits as they myth goes. They are addictions because once addicted you require it to feel normal.

SteveSmith1985 · Answer

As someone who both drinks and smokes: You are not losing out on anything at all, by never drinking or smoking. If you're not inclined to, then by all means don't. You are missing nothing.

Alcohol isn't "overrated" people like it for a reason. But it's by no means the only way to enjoy yourself. And it comes with all sorts of drawbacks. Everything from acting in a way that you regret when drinking (which can be minor or life ruining), not to mention the fact that alcohol is as addictive as a lot of other drugs. Nobody with an alcohol problem planned to have one. It happens to people, somewhat at random. If you don't drink at all, you're at zero risk of alcohol becoming problematic in your life. I've always had friends who didn't drink. I've always respected that. Once you make it clear that you don't drink, that should be the end of it. Anyone who tries to seriously pressure you to drink is an idiot. Even at 14... that persons an idiot. It should be your choice, and that should be respected. But no, you are not missing anything. If you don't feel like you're missing anything, you are 100% right about that.

Cigarettes. Now cigarettes ARE overrated. Smoking cigarettes is the stupidest goddamn thing. And I'll tell you why:

So the first couple of cigarettes you ever have (or if you are a very occasional occasional smoker)... will give you a "buzz". It will make you feel slightly euphoric, and slightly dizzy... and only for about 5 minutes. It's called a "head-rush" or a "buzz"... and that's all well and good.

But the thing is, smoking does NOT give you any sort of buzz unless your body is new to the nicotine. Once you get even somewhat regular about smoking... it no longer gives you any sort of buzz. You hear a smoker talk about smoking when they're stressed, or to relax and whatnot... and that's true. BUT it's not because cigarettes are relaxing. Not at all. It's becuase you are stressed out, AND ALSO addicted to nicotine. So satisfying your body screaming at you for another hit-of-nicotine DOES indeed feel more relaxing... but only because your body is screaming for nicotine in the first place.

Let me put it this way. You get up in the morning... and you feel... good/regular/normal.

I get up in the morning, and feel like crap until I have a cigarette. THEN I feel good/happy/normal.

Then after about an hour... I start to feel like crap again, because I need a smoke. So I have a smoke TO GET BACK TO NORMAL.

I have to have that smoke to KEEP FROM FEELING WORSE... not to feel better. I only feel better insofar as I don't feel worse (from an unsatisfied nicotine craving).

So all day, everyday, I am constantly smoking myself BACK TO NORMAL (back to where you are all the time). It's a handicap. Nothing more. Smoking is beyond overrated. It's not even a fun drug! It's something you kill yourself doing... to try and continually "chase" normal. Smoking is so stupid it's unbelievable. But its also goddamn addictive. I have a cigarette between my fingers as I'm typing this right now. And I've hated being a smoker for at least 15 years. You are an idiot to take up smoking. Anyone is these days. It's so stupid. There is a case to be made for why someone chooses to drink. There is no case to be made for why someone chooses to START smoking.

Overall though. You keep doing what you're doing. There's nothing wrong with that. You're not missing out on anything. 🙂

hammeronfire · Answer

Eh. Alcohol is good in moderation. It releases your inhibitions and can make you happier than normal or sadder than normal depending on context. Cigarettes give you a strong head rush high that can literally make it so that your clothes bother you cause you feel every single little movement on every part of your body. They are very dangerous and very addictive tho. I’d say both are okay in moderation and as long as you don’t allow yourself to get addicted you should be fine. They are both difficult to quit and have physical side effects of withdrawal should you develop a dependency. I’ve done both, never got addicted to either one, and I’d say mainly just to avoid nicotine in general and only drink once in a while if you’re gonna do it. If you really want nicotine however, just make sure you don’t get addicted. The way I did it was to not smoke every day or even every other day and tk not smoke more than one. With vaping it became a situation dependant thing that when the situation was over I never did. So meh. They’re both pretty meh
Long winded answer for a meh I know but, eh, meh 😂😂

Anonymous · Answer

In a way, yes. Cigarettes provide an incredible feeling of calm, relax, and bliss. Alcohol can make you feel less introverted and more outspoken, it removes these walls and social barriers we have with people. It makes it easier to socialize. And this is coming from someone who has tried them both, and now does neither.

However, cigarettes are VERY bad for you and while the chemicals themselves are already very addictive, people become reliant on the feeling of calm to overcome their stress, which is a very unhealthy dependence/habit to form. There are other ways you should help fend off stress.

Alcohol isn't as bad as cigarettes, but it's still not good for you.

As for your classmate, unfortunately, there are people out there like that who don't know how to have actual fun without alcohol and it's really sad. I doubt you're convinced by them, but don't believe them when they suggest fun can't be had without alcohol or other drugs.

And I think it's great that you plan to do neither.

NamerOfStars · Answer

Well, I can't speak for cigarettes, but for alcohol, absolutely- just not for its own sake.
Cinnamon is delicious, but you wouldn't just eat piles of it by itself, would you? Booze is dangerous if you overindulge, true, but the REAL harm it can bring is when you let it become a necessity- when it stops being something you take to add to joy, and starts being something you take to acquire joy. Avoid that, and you'll be fine.

As to the inherent damage that it does, well, there isn't any. A glass and a half of red wine a day, and your odds of dying of heart disease drop like a rock. Is teetotalism worth the damage IT does?

serious · Answer

I don't know who is this friend of yours but that is totally wrong. Drinking and smoking will absolutely do you no good.

They are self destructive, they are the ones that push a person towards a slow and steady death. There is nothing cool in drinking and smoking.

In my view, it is more cool if you lead a disciplined life, it is the coolest if you stay away from bad influence and follow your passion, your goals and objectives.

These are all peer pressure, so never fall in to that trap. Your health and well being should be more important to you than having such friends or company in your life.

Unit1 · Answer

Nicotine (cigarettes) definitely not. For medical reasons obviously.

Alcohol is a gray area. You'll be fine whether you consume it (responsibly) or not. I only like it if I can make an artistic taste with it (picture below).

Take a look at these 2 pictures and you will notice a psychological factor

medicalopedia.org/.../Alcohol-Abuse.jpg

The difference between those 2 is the responsibility involved in alcohol consumption (or lack thereof in the latter case).

Of course the alternative which is to not consume any alcohol is just as good.

MysticDevice · Answer

Alcohol, yes kinda.

Cigarettes? Ha! Disgusting. They smell awful, they taste awful, and they just annoy everyone around you.

Alcohol: Yes, it is technically poison and it impairs your judgment. Which is why they always say "Drink Responsibly"

There's a thousand different beers
A thousand different wines
A thousand different whiskey
You get the picture.

Personally, I am a beer snob. I always keep an eye out for different craft beers to taste and I always look for small micro breweries to check out.

PBandJ_Nerd · Answer

I've never tried cigarettes, but a little bit of alcohol isn't too bad. Not getting tipsy or drunk though. But at your age it's good to abstain from drinking and smoking until you're of legal age. I always drank welch's sparkling grape juice (red & white) when I wasn't old enough to have actual wine. I still like that stuff to this day and will drink it if I don't like the alcoholic drinks. Or don't want any alcohol.

Puppystarfish23 · Answer

I have mixed feelings on it and I'm currently trying to quit drinking myself as I'm a total light weight for a British person and its got me in some messy situations to say the least.

The only thing I miss is cocktails because they are actually really fun and exciting and tasty.

As for smoking I only smoke occasionally like once or twice a year if I'm at a wedding or something. It definitely gives you a buzz but no different having coffee I think personally

AdithyaR · Answer

Personally I can't stand either. The smell of alcohol makes me nauseous and ciggerate smoke makes my nose all blocked and sneezy.
But everyone has their own tastes and preferences so I guess there's people who genuinely enjoy them. Alcohol is definitely pretty widely enjoyed considering how ingrained it is in social culture.

Paige90 · Answer

Cigarettes are nasty and I have absolutely no interest in being around a guy or girl that smokes.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

This new classmate of yours has a very small mind. (And probably a low IQ as well.)

What they don't understand is that if they spend all their money on alcohol and cigarettes, then they will never have any money to do anything that is actually interesting!

Still-alive · Answer

ehh teenagers trying to peer pressure you. just ignore em. do what you love.

I occasionally drink at family events or with friends. it can help take some of the edge off when i get a little buzz going but otherwise i don't go nuts with it. and i never tried cigarettes nor do i want to.

WhiteBoyChill · Answer

Well for one thing I don’t think “drinking and smoking is so much overrated” just because one guy tried convincing you.

And for another, take it from someone who’s done both. You certainly aren’t doing yourself any harm by choosing to avoid that stuff.

Not that I’ve ever had an issue with addiction toward either one, but either way, I don’t think any mentally healthy person believes cigarettes and alcohol are an essential. And I’ve certainly managed fine without either one.

QuietVerbena · Answer

I totally agree with you. I drink wine and a cocktail on occasion, but I don’t do any of that other stuff anymore and I’m perfectly happy with my life.

Pinay_ako · Answer

I did these things when I was in college. Smoking 🚬 was enjoyable with alcohol for sure. But I chose my health over them.

Anonymous · Answer

I can assure it is not. None of them are. Degrades your personality beyond repair. My dad gets tobacco. His teeth are not at all presentable. He restrains himself quite a lot, just because of this.

Rockstarrrrr · Answer

I'm 26 and I NEVER saw the appeal.. didn't even bother to try them... Not even once... I'm starting to think it's like a peer pressure thing for a lot of people...

RockyHammock · Answer

Drinking and smoking isn't enjoyable. Even among alcoholics they don't find joy in drinking. Instead what people crave more than anything is the surreal escape that comes after.

AsaKyo · Answer

Nah, it's just a habit  I've never smoked and I've only had alcohol a few times and I couldn't handle it well, but I'm just assuming that's why other people do it

Are alcohol and cigarettes really that enjoyable?

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