Professional people and drug use

[Beebee6]

I work in banking and moved to London a year ago for a career opportunity. I’m in my early 30s and have never thought of myself as particularly naive but I’m genuinely shocked by how many of my colleagues regularly use drugs. By drugs, I'm mostly referring to cocaine. They all talk about this very openly as if it’s a perfectly normal and acceptable thing to do at the weekend, after work or when they have spare time without the kids. On the rare occasions when I have been along to social events after work, it’s always offered around and I appear to be the only one not partaking. None of these people are particularly ‘young’ either (most 30s-40s) and are all very successful professional people, who in my (perhaps judgemental) opinion, aren’t the typical drug using types. Some are single but many have families. I mentioned this to a friend of mine who seemed to think that this is now commonplace amongst many working professionals, particularly in the city. I’m curious as to whether this sort of thing really has become more normal and accepted now?

[araiwa]

You are naive

They sound like the stereotype cocaine users

[OwlinaTree]

Yes I think it's fairly normal. People are more relaxed about drug use now I think.

[Haribeau]

Stay on the straight and narrow line and keep your nose out

[bungaloid]

I've never cared much for the legality aspect of substance abuse, so in that sense I don't really care what people get up to. I think any kind of heavy drinking / other substance use culture entangled with work could be kind of annoying.

[Mascarponeandwine]

Yep commonplace in the city jobs. It’s probably the same people I knew 20 years ago (am now mid 40’s) who never stopped.

[SimonJT]

Drug use really is becoming more and more socially acceptable, it is essentialy normal on many nights out now. It isn’t something I do as a parent, but I have occasionally in the past.

[SimonJT]

I mean it isn’t something I do now I’m a parent.

[mbosnz]

This was normal 15 years ago when DH worked in the city. He was less than impressed also. . .

[troppibambini]

Yes it's very common. I'm not in London but in an affluent area full of yummy mummy's and it's very very common.

[PepsiLola]

Professionals can afford it! Cocaine isn't a cheap drug option. Imo they are stereotypical users

[ShirleyPhallus]

I think they sound exactly like the “typical” drug users tbh

[BagpussAteMyHomework]

Ugh. Regardless of the impact on the consumer, I can’t bear the idea of all the people hurt and exploited by the drugs trade. So many lives destroyed to fuel somebody’s lifestyle choices.

[Travellinghappy]

I was shocked when I worked in a day nursery and all the young women used to talk about using cocaine when they went out clubbing. They were always complaining about not having any money, unsurprisingly..

[Inliverpool1]

Coke is cheaper than 5 pints in the uk. It’s self medicating

[Dollywilde]

Perfectly normal among those I know in banking in London. I’m in another professional services discipline along with many other friends and it’s more of a ‘high days and holidays’ thing outside banking, but still exists.

[Beebee6]

Wow, think I must have been living under a rock!

[TapasForTwo]

This thread is depressing. Cocaine is a no no in my circle.

We prefer to stick to legal drugs (alcohol).

[Far2go46]

Find some people who into acid, far more interesting company imo

[Far2go46]

Also loads of people from all walks of life take coke on the regs, don't think it's seen as 'druggy' anymore

[Pianobook]

It was the norm at dinner parties when I lived in London thirty years ago. Never seen it in my current city.

[Whynham]

Coke ain't cheap. It's the only ones who can afford it.

[GrandmasNightie]

Probably the same people who tut about stabbings in drugs wars and county lines yet don’t acknowledge their part in it. No time for people like that. And yes, lots of us do still think it’s druggy and sad.

[Inliverpool1]

Come is cheap

[Inliverpool1]

Coke not come omg

[Thisnamechanger]

Every fucker in the entertainment industry uses it too. Even normal work nights just at the pub get cokey after a certain time. It's makes them all very loud 🙄