To think people are naive re cocaine

[Knockonw00d]

I see threads on here all the time where women find out their husband has been doing coke etc and are absolutely floored.
But it always amazes me how oblivious people are to how common it really is. I’m childfree and in my late 20s and i go on nights out almost every week so you get to know all of the other regulars in the bars. I do not know one person that I’ve met through going out that doesn’t do cocaine.

These people have professional jobs Monday - Friday. Some of them I know are teachers, nursery staff, work in the passport office. It is so common.

I also see a lot posters describing a change in behaviour and people suggest it could be drugs. But unless you’re doing things like heroin or spice, cocaine does not make you act in the ways people suggest.

Do people really not know how common casual use of cocaine is in this country?

I wouldn’t call people who don’t know anyone who does cocaine naive, I’d call them normal. Yes, I’m sure there are plenty of idiots who do recreational drugs but there are also plenty of people who don’t. I’d actually call those who do take recreational drugs naive, they’re the ones kidding themselves that it’s not damaging their bodies.

Isn't crack actually cocaine?

Ok I saw the previous discussion on this now.

Every addict began as a recreational user. Do you have any studies that show how many people use without causing any problems at all, compared with those for whom there is a negative impact? Do you have anything objective to indicate the likelihood of becoming addicted/a problem user? Do you have a way of identifying which recreational users are going to develop problems? Because without all this, you cannot really risk assess meaningfully or argue the level of harm with any conviction.

I don’t think I’m naive, I just think my social circle has better things to do. I literally don’t know anyone who takes cocaine, and I don’t consider that a bad thing, and I don’t think taking it or knowing people who take it makes you cool or edgy or in a particular place to “educate” me. I’m well aware of the horrific impact of cocaine production, smuggling, and dealing, and I don’t want people who are willingly to feed money into that in my life, thanks, and I’m happy to be considered a naive stuffy bore if that’s what it takes!

I agree, society is definitely becoming stupider.

I'm aware of how common it is, but something being common does not make it right. The drug industry causes devastation to so many, including children. I work in a school and have seen first hand some of the issues with children getting caught up in county lines. I am sick of arguments that consist of 'everyone else is doing it too.' I wouldn't accept that from a child and it's no better coming from an adult.

You sound like a total prat.

I really don't give a shit that they are functioning people with full time jobs -I hope everyone of the selfish counts get a taste of the misery their 'fun' habit inflicts on so many others.

These threads always bring out the naive. I can guarantee almost everyone knows someone who has the odd line of coke or a spliff on a weekend, they just don’t broadcast it to those who don’t.

Of the people I know who indulge occasionally, most are teachers.

Except it's never been tried.

Legit sources, at a reasonable price, from someone who isn't dodgy, free from worry about committing a crime. Entire supply chain legitimised.

It's more like cancelling prohibition. Yes criminals find something else to do, but they are hugely disrupted

Yes, and a lot of the people you see putting hours into their career and also managing the gym and managing to be completely on top of stuff are managing it - because cocaine.

I'm actually glad you posted this OP because I had kind of forgotten. And I often compare myself to those people and wonder how they get so much done.

My husband and his friends did it in their late teens/early twenties but not since but nobody in my immediate circle does and I don’t know that anyone I know does it.

I can tell you arent very versed in this because you're talking about a few grams of weed in this same.
Lol, the irony.
I've been part of a recovery group for 10 years, grew up in the inner city where drugs have always been rampant, saw 1000's of families destroyed by drugs.
I can you are coming from a mc mindset.

I agree OP. I’m always bemused when I read such threads on here myself.

But I think it’s geographical. I’m in London, and know that here and all of the major cities, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastles, dealers are 10 a penny. So cocaine use is extremely common on weekends. The dealers will also supply to the bordering smaller towns.

However in sleepy little remote towns in the countryside of, say for example Wales, it will be harder to get hold of. Unless you’re from such a place, you are very naive to be unaware of how common it is. It want proof of this, look at the lifestyle of the dealers and distributors.

My understanding is that if you have cocaine you can convert it into crack cocaine.

I don't really care tbh. I can't control other people, if they want to do stupid things like take drugs then that's up to them. I've got much better things to spend my money on.

I agree completely. In the process of divorcing my husband for this reason. He has well and truly fucked his life up because of it. I was aware that he and most of his friends did it occasionally, but totally naive to the extent of the use.

Since finding out, I’ve discovered just how naive I have been and how common this is in professional middle aged men. Wankers. I have no sympathy as there is a certain level of arrogance that goes with thinking they will be ok taking that kind of substance. Plus a massive hypocrisy.

I think you’re wrong - people know how common it is and you are either in those circles and therefore you know because you’re it or you’re not and just realise it’s none of your business so ignore it. I don’t go out to bars anymore, I don’t socialise with people who take it and I don’t accept people who take drugs into my social circle. Professionally I leave work events if this is happening and I try to distance myself from those people in the work place.

How do you think people become addicted. I was a recreational user, until I wasn't, then I was an addict.
Me and my fancy handbag. Pathetic.

I have lived nearly all my adult life in cities including London, Liverpool and Glasgow as well as others. So the lack of cocaine use in my social circle is because of the choices of friendships and relationships I’ve made, not because I live in a “sleepy town”. I’m sure it’s the same for many others on this thread.

As I’ve said, I do know it’s common in some circles but not in mine thankfully.

So yes I would be shocked if my partner or close friends I’ve known for over ten years were found to be doing coke. That doesn’t mean I’m “naive”. It’s just not normal or expected behaviour in my social circle.

I think people are naive to the devastation cocaine use causes. As a social worker I see it all the time, people who think it’s just recreational fun.
They beat their partners
They get into fights - there is an aggression from a cocaine using/gym buff like nothing else
They commit offences
They take the family money
They loose their jobs
They neglect their children
They are really self absorbed idiots

I'll admit to being naive about it. I don't [think] I know anyone socially who does cocaine, I accept I am almost certainly wrong. I've never been around anyone who would talk about it or do it anywhere near me or talk about people who did.

I was surprised to hear that two of my non direct colleagues were taking it on a works night out (not my department). Fairly serious consequences for both - which is how I heard about it. Both professionals, married with young children. Both a bit socially awkward - a bit 'try hard' (as it try to be witty but...falls flat) part of me thinks they did it/do it to appear 'cool'.

I think you're correct. But 'normalising' it by essentially saying everyone is doing it is wrong and irresponsible.

I think those who take it are naive. They think they are different to those who have gone before. They are not. At best they'll spend a lot of time in toilets with coke head acquaintances, boring the life out of others, thinking they're the most interesting person in the room (deep down believing they're not, hence using cocaine). At worst they'll develop a serious problem and ruin their and their loved ones lives. No amount of cocaine will ever work to fill the void again. Where will their coke using buddies be then?

P.S. Find yourself a better social circle and get help to quit. No good comes from using cocaine or associating with those who do.

My husband and I have both worked in HR in the public and private sectors over the years and one of the most common reasons staff are disciplined in the last 10 years or so is failing random drug tests or being caught using at work. Its literally everywhere, people from all walks of life.

I'd bet money that most of the people in here swearing up and down they don't know a single person who uses cocaine actually know at least one.

I'm probably "hopelessly naive" but I've never taken cocaine, or known of any friends or colleagues to have taken it. And I've worked, in a city since the late 80s, in one of the sectors which is supposedly rife with high flying professionals using it recreationally.

I've never been offered it and wouldn't have a clue where to get it.