Last Updated on February 10, 2024

“In 2023, the United States faced a significant challenge with drug and alcohol overdose deaths. More than 109,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in the 12 months ending January 2023, according to provisional data from the CDC. This represents a slight increase of 0.7% from the previous year, indicating an ongoing crisis despite efforts to combat the issue.” – CDC.

When I was young, I thought drugs were something the cool kids did and made me fit in, not realizing the harm they caused. Although I never tried severe drugs. I did experiment with marijuana and alcohol, not to mention cigarettes, which I am addicted to and keep fighting the addiction to this day.

People believe that marijuana is not a serious drug and it won’t affect them much; however, I known plenty of people that just smoked it and never did anything with their life. With the excuse that it’s not a serious drug, it does affect you. It makes you lazy and unmotivated.

I spent years drinking with my friends on the weekends, thinking I was going to be young forever. Not realizing how it influenced my health and mental health is a depressant. Not to mention the time I wasted.

Looking back, I wish I had lived a straight-edge lifestyle without any drugs or alcohol. It didn’t help with anything. It did not make me cool; it made me dumber, lazier, and unmotivated. You don’t realize how fast time passes when you are young and you become a middle-aged man out of nowhere.

Serious drugs are illegal. They can get you in serious trouble with the law and your health. You can end up in jail or even dead. You think it won’t be you, but nobody ever does. It is simply not worth the high. You can ruin your entire life with drugs.

Instead of turning to drugs, you should focus on pursuing your dreams when you are young. You have an energy level that will go away when you’re older. Plus, it is easier to form and change habits.
I never met anybody my age (37). They wished they did more drugs or drank more alcohol. Most people are addicted and are trying to get off.
Drugs are simply not cool.