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Crossing The Line

How do humans know when they have had one too many drinks or smokes, etc.? Is there a measuring stick or should all substances besides the basic food element necessary for survival be eliminated? Some things to consider:

1. Some people think it is okay to get drunk once a week, but no more than that.

2. You are not considered a bad smoker or chain smoker if you only smoke when others are smoking 'casually' at a party.

Line Crossing

I think the problem is that most people really don't know when they have crossed the line.

Most people who end up addicted to a substance, don't realize there is a problem until well after crossing the line. One thing I have often heard is that recognizing that you have a problem is half the battle. While, in part, this is true because if you don't recognize you have a problem how can you resolve it. I think it also is true because there are many addicts who just don't see that they are addicts.

One is addicted to cigarettes far before they develop that cronic cough. One is addicted to alcohol way before they reach the stage where they can't hold a job or lose their families. So, obviously, they crossed the line a while ago, but yet they didn't recognize this fact.

Edited: funbikerchick on 22nd Sep, 2005 - 12:18am

Crossing The Line Health & Special Psychology

And of course in this case crossing the line can be a subjective thing and based heavily on the circumstances. Getting drunk once a week when you are 21 and in college is deemed in many circles to be acceptable behavior. Doing the same at the age of 45, not so much. As for knowing when you have crossed the threshold, I agree with bikerchick, usually don't know it until someone else points it out. You can not see the line you have crossed until you have traveled past it for a while.

Wyldehorse

Line Crossing

That's the big problem with any kind of "socially acceptable" use of intoxicants or addictive substances. When does it become socially UNacceptable? Who decides? I agree with what's been said so far, that we don't know until it's too late that we've already crossed over.

The best way to avoid crossing the line is not to start in that direction in the first place, I.e. avoid any substance with potential for addiction/destruction. But that's way easier said than done.

In my opinion, of course.
Roz

Line Crossing

When I used to party, there would be a clear point, after about 12 hours, that if I took anything else, it simply just wouldn't affect me anymore. There was a point that I actually started feeling worse due to the lack of sleep or food, so I usually knew I had to stop at that point. Also, when I would feel particularly invincible, I would notice that I had no money left, so that would warn me to stop.
These days, besides the fact that I have no extra money to spend on a lavish party lifestyle, I have a family that I want to be there for and I would not want to take a chance of losing them for selfish reasons.