Recreational drugs after 40

[Inthebathagain]

In the two years, I've become aware of several friends, family and acquaintances who take lines/pills/tabs regularly. Some once a month, some twice a year. And everything in-between.

All walks of life...WFH, SAH, office worker, mechanic, police, care worker, teacher, headteacher. My favourite is the high rolling city worker who gets his gear delivered to his office on an electric scooter under his deliveroo takeout sandwiches.

All these people are aged 40-55.

I had no idea so many people around me of my age were using until one person told me they were, and then it snowballed. I now feel like I'm the rarity not using!

Is this reflective of the people around you too?

I'm 50. None of my friends do drugs. Have never been offered coke at a dinner party, or anything other than wine, tbh.

Except once in Lisbon at 9am when DH and I were chased down the street by a teenage lad insisting that it was "good stuff" and we "really needed some". We really didn't.

Really? Back in my partying days I never knew anybody to even talk about drugs to people they knew didn't do them, let alone try to convince them to do the same.

I dont see people pushing substances of other natures, like you should eat lots of cake, or have lots of caffeine or have lots of fags, or drink lots of booze

I think this does happen with those things. You see it on MN a lot. Minimising it, scoffing at those who point out that not everyone's friends do it, encouraging people to 'live a little' and not be so uptight. People do it about food, alcohol (tittering about people who 'probably just have a thimbleful of sherry at Christmas ), drugs and also pornography ('Hah - of course all men watch it. You're naïve if you think your husband doesn't").

It's pure defensiveness and need for validation that what they/their friends/ their partner does is normal and not bad.

I tend to agree, although it's easy for me to say living in the Netherlands. I think this country has the right approach and they're quite good at researching cannabis & psychedelics as medicine.

Even their approach to properly illegal drugs (as opposed to just decriminalised) is quite pragmatic... the Dutch produce most of Europe's synthetic drugs and seem to pride themselves on a quality product, while free testing centres help people be sure that there isn't anything nasty hiding in their pills.

The drugs industry has evolved since the 90s, the same as every other, to maximise profits. The difference is that because it’s illegal, the people who control the chain have moved onto more and more unscrupulous methods. There was always organised crime around drugs supply, but it has really exploded massively and the levels of exploitation are through the roof.

Comparing partying in the 90s to the drugs trade as it is today is naive.

I do agree that the criminality and supply chain issues are a good argument for legalisation/decriminalisation.

Drugs feel amazing, which is why people take them. Same with booze. The problem is, the amount of joy and pleasure you feel whilst drunk or high is in inverse proportion to the pain and misery you feel on the comedown. This is because you have taken a poison and your body reacts accordingly.

I haven't taken a drink or drug for many years as I am in 12 Step Recovery. As a 12 step sponsor I see and work with a number of women who are trying to get clean in their 40s. From what they say, their appearance and demeanour it is clear to me that your body struggles more to recover from being poisoned when you enter middle aged, than when you are young.

I can guarantee anyone who knows the tell tale signs will know you are drug users very easily. Nothing to do with 'stereotypes'.

I have never felt pain and misery on a come down. Actually hangovers affect me much more.

Amphetamine was my drug of choice when younger it went hand in hand within the nsoul scene. Wouldn't risk it now too many health issues and wouldn't risk a stroke or heart attack.

Those who do drugs are stupid.

those who do drugs and they are parents?well they’re on a totally different planet. Think they’re invincible and they’ll be fine.

zero morals and zero respect for their kids

Not necessarily, I have cancer, and so started weed again.

The pain relief the doctors give me have multiple awful side effects, I can't function well on them at all, weed is great for the pain relief, and I don't have the side effects.

It makes me a better parent 🤷🏻‍♀️

I work in the arts and yes, drugs are rife, even with the over 40s. Mostly weed or coke.

I also know many from other fields who smoke (though not so much with the coke).

40s/50s using stimulants such as, speed, coke, E. That a dangerous game to play.