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Original poster

Are taking drugs and being a good parent mutually exclusive then?

461 replies

wanderlust · 05/12/2007 21:00

I don't want to get told off lots or start a fight, its just that I (along with most of my friends - parents or not) will take drugs every now and then, but I am aware that the people I know are not necessarily representative of what's really normal or acceptable - so what does everyone really think?

OP posts:
chipkid · 05/12/2007 21:04

the problem with taking drugs is that they are addictive and expensive. When it gets to the point that you desire your next fix, then everything else can pale into insignificance-and that includes the general care of your children-so yes if drugtaking is a regular part of your day, the children will suffer if your energies are not focussed upon them. They also have to deal with the conmedown-when drugs are leaving the system.

I guess the issue is whether you can take drugs without it becoming a dominating factor in your life.

KittyLetteItSnow · 05/12/2007 21:04

Honestly?

I dont think parents should take drugs or have any drugs in the house.

Including weed.

Then again I dont even drink so Im odd anyway!

Coolmama · 05/12/2007 21:06

tricky trying to keep your kids away from drugs when you do it too - also, at some point they may well ask you point blank if you ever did drugs, then you either have to "come clean" or "fess up" or lie to them - not sure it's the smart way to go.

TotalChaos · 05/12/2007 21:09

depends what you take, how often, and the circumstances in which you take it - i.e. the likely impact on your kids.

MerryKerryXmas · 05/12/2007 21:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

theUrbanDryad · 05/12/2007 21:11

Chipkid - not all drugs are addictive, and it's a misnomer to say that everyone who takes drugs is addicted to them.

SantasUnderGodzillasBumcheek · 05/12/2007 21:12

And the (large) possibility of becoming schizophrenic...

YummersTheRedNosedReindeer · 05/12/2007 21:12

i think it's one of those things you should put behind you once you become a parent. I mean some friends of my parents always smoked weed, even tho they had 2 kids and it was a 'cool, hippy thing' i suppose. but even weed these days is by no means a safe drug, it can cause terrible psychosis, paranoia etc, not to mention the trouble it could cause in someone with asthma or other breathing related disorders. i think parents who take drugs are trying to hold on to a bit of their lost youths, in the best case scenario, and downright irresponsible in the worst cases.

theUrbanDryad · 05/12/2007 21:14

what about people who use cannabis for medicinal purposes?

Maidamess · 05/12/2007 21:15

I can't understand why anyone would want to take drugs. What's the point?

My concern would be if someone was off their face on whatever and their child neded to be taken to A& E or was choking or something.

Wanderlust, is this something that worries you?

KittyLetteItSnow · 05/12/2007 21:15

Take perscribed painkillers.

No need to smoke weed,

An excuse to IMO.

theUrbanDryad · 05/12/2007 21:17

and by that i mean, people who suffer insomnia but don't want to take chemical drugs. or who suffer from depression but find ad's ineffective. are they trying to cling onto their lost youth??

LittleBella · 05/12/2007 21:18

Depends on the drugs

"Prescribed painkillers" only?

So buying OTC paracetemol is a sign of bad parenting now is it?

theUrbanDryad · 05/12/2007 21:18

Kittylette - cannabis has been proven to be more effective against some illnesses (like MS) than traditional prescription drugs.

chipkid · 05/12/2007 21:19

I agree with you Urbandryad-but I did not get the impression that the op was talking about smoking the odd joint. I guess I have seen too many families destroyed by the regular use of drugs. That is why I say it depends upon how much of a dominating factor it is in your life.

moopymoo · 05/12/2007 21:20

i would say catagorically that you are not parenting to the best of your abilities if you take drugs. ever. even a bit of weed. thats for teenagers and those who wish they still were.

Original poster
wanderlust · 05/12/2007 21:20

I'm not a crack addict. That is obviously going to screw you and your kids up.

I'm talking recreational use of drugs when out partying, or sat around with friends.

And I don't see the problem with keeping drugs in the house really, if they are properly secure from little people. I keep paracetamol in the house which is dangerous to small children - so I keep it in a tin on a very high shelf.

OP posts:
moopymoo · 05/12/2007 21:20

i, however, need to learn to spell.

theUrbanDryad · 05/12/2007 21:21

absolutely Chipkid.

KittyLetteItSnow · 05/12/2007 21:21

Uhh no, but if its an ongoing longterm pain for which they feel they need to take canabis then they are more likely to be offered a stronger prescribed drug by the doctor rather than going to the chemist themselves regularly to buy paracetamol.

People really do nitpick around here.

Coolmama · 05/12/2007 21:21

just FYI - the OP is not asking about medication - sounds more recreational to me.

llareggub · 05/12/2007 21:22

Just say no, kids!

Coolmama · 05/12/2007 21:22

sorry - x-posts

CarmenerryChristmas · 05/12/2007 21:23

Actually Kitty cannabis is very good for managing arthritis and MS symptoms and works along with prescribed drugs. Not nitpicking but I have experience of friends who use it for medical reasons.

KittyLetteItSnow · 05/12/2007 21:25

But I dont get it!

Why not just use painkillers?

I mean i could say - only crack soothes my pain - so its better for me and Im going to take it!

And rereationally, no, definatly not.

You have kids, you have responsibilities, you have to grow up. No.