“The usage of a substance, regardless of what the substance is, has no bearing on whether or not someone is intelligent.” Thoughts on this statement?

[Kingofkings1992]

Agree

Disagree

Other ( I’ll explain further in comments)

[Chazmatazz269]

It’s true. Most of the alcoholics and addicts i’ve known, there have been hundreds, are also some of the smartest people i’ve ever met. Despite this, nobody ever outsmarted their addiction. Many have died trying. I’ve known a few. I still might end up among them.
That old cliche, “Ignorance is bliss,” has a flip side. Knowledge breeds misery. We’re often using to numb the pain of what we know, think and feel.
Addicts tend to be very intelligent and resourceful, perfectionists and control freaks.

[OneViewpoint]

@Kingofkings1992

I agree. Concrete, glass, wood, steel, paper, boogers, antimony, silver, thorium, and hydrogen sulfide, and nitrogen tri-iodide are all substances. None of them are going to make you any smarter.

[dustybiker2]

Need for a vice is an addictive issue stemming from genetics. Intelligence is also genetic but the two have nothing to do with each other. How someone processes the shovelfuls life throws at you is choice usually based off what experiences you have seeing those handle issues growing ip. Choices are more learned.

[dustybiker2]

*up...

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

Anyone can become an addict and be brilliant at the same time. Look at Ernest Hemingway, that man was a vicious alcoholic and he was still regarded as a literary expert.

[Summeroflove]

It can definitely cause someone to loose intelligence but I agree and studies have shown it. But that’s not to say people know better

[Kingofkings1992]

Heavy substance use can definitely fog your brains ability to think clearly, but that’s not exactly “losing intelligence.”, as intelligence is innate.

[Summeroflove]

It can kill your brain cells for sure

[jshm2]

Seems whoever wrote that idiotic statement has never heard of "bleach" and the daft cunts who try to "cure" themselves by drinking it.

[Kingofkings1992]

Opinion noted, however it’s irrelevant to the question

[Genie23]

I don't agree as usage of any substance long term does affects you at some point, your brain cells starts to die and brain tissue starts shrinking.

[loveslongnails]

Up to a point, depending on the substance. You may start out intelligent, but the continued use or abuse of certain substances will strip you of that intelligence.

[NaultD]

If substance abuse is in question. It's about JUDGMENT not quantifiable facts.

[7Phoenix7]

I agree 100 percent.

[Gwendoline]

Unless it causes brain damage.