ARE DRUGS GOOD OR BAD?

As a kid in the 1980s, I can recall a children's television
commercial declaring, "Drugs Drugs Drugs! Which are good which are
bad? Drugs Drugs Drugs! Ask your mom and ask your dad."

Generally speaking, this attitude continues to pervade our culture
with respect to drugs. Drugs are often divided into two
categories-good and bad. Usually legal drugs (prescription
medication, alcohol, tobacco, cold medicines, and caffeine) are
categorized as the "good" ones, while illegal drugs (cocaine, heroin,
methamphetamine, marijuana) are considered the "bad." But a problem
rises when we think of substances in such over-simplified, yet
confusing categories.

Consider alcohol. For many individuals of legal age, alcohol is a
socially acceptable drug of choice. Viewed through a good/bad lens,
alcohol can accordingly be categorized as "good." Yet statistics and
research show that alcohol has serious-you might say "bad"-social and
physical health problems associated with it. So is alcohol, or any
drug for that matter, good or bad?

In reality it is neither! Alcohol is simply alcohol. It is a
substance. A drug isn't necessarily good or bad; instead a drug is
considered to be any substance that changes the way we think, act, or
feel. This definition covers all drugs: over the counter, illegal,
prescriptions, social acceptable, legal. The positive or negative
effects of drugs depend on the way that they are used or misused.
Instead of blaming the drug for the problems we may encounter, we
must look at how we use or misuse the substance in question.

A relationship of "use" implies that one's involvement with the
substance is not problematic. Using does not interfere with any areas
of life, and the consequences are not negative. In fact, it may even
be to our benefit. Coffee can help us feel more alert and energized
in the morning; a glass of wine might help us to relax after a
challenging week.

However, when an individual's experience with a substance results in
problems or negative consequences, this is considered "misuse." What
misuse looks like will change from person to person, so what might be
a problem for one person in a certain situation is not necessarily a
problem for someone else. The best indicator of misuse is problems.
Problems physically, socially, emotionally, legally, or financially.
Problems with your health, relationships, work, marriage, school, and
family. Generally we hear people using the term "drug abuse."
However, "abuse" positions the drug as a perpetrator and the
individual as a victim. Misuse more appropriately places the
individual in a position of control over their behaviour and choices.

We all decide the degree that we involve substances in our lives. It
is essential to recognize the role a drug is playing and take time to
consider the resulting effects. The conversation needs to be less
about defining the substance as "good" or "bad" and should question
how we are using.

Is your use responsible, moderate, and accountable? Or have you
shifted to misuse, resulting in negative consequences made visible by
the problems you are experiencing? Take time today to evaluate how
the substances in your life. Perhaps alcohol, cigarettes,
prescription drugs, coffee are affecting you. See any problems? If
the problems are far surpassing the benefits of your use, then you
have the freedom to transform the relationship to your benefit and
best health. After all, it is your relationship and you alone can
make the necessary changes if you do not like what it is doing for
you. The choice is yours.