I've had this idea for this thread for a long time. I did mention it in a recent board chat and I made a promise to a friend that I would eventually get around to posting it.
First, I always want to make the proper qualifications. Again, this thread leans more towards the personal. Like I've said many times that is the type of posts I enjoy the most. We used to have a lot of those but thats mainly a thing of the past. Maybe we can do something about that.
This thread is for abstainers. This is not an academic discussion on drugs -what they are, how we define them, the many problems with definitions of what a drug even is, or commentary on current drug trends or social problems regarding drug use/abuse or the emerging "drug culture", etc.
This thread is for the so called Straight Edgers (straight edge as personal philosophy and lifestyle choice). I'll define 'straight edge' as a life long oath to abstain from all forms of recreational drugs including alcohol and cigarettes, and to abstain from promiscuous sex and moderate our sexual desires in general.
'Poison Free' in the straight edge subculture refers to not consuming illegal psychoactive drugs or alcohol/tobacco products. You become 'straight edge' when you make the lifelong commitment to abstain.
I recentely joined an online Straight Edge community/forum and I made a post there in their introductions thread. This is my brief intro:
--------------
Hey Guys!
I'm new and thought I'd post my bio. To use the straight edge subculture language I have been "poison free" my whole life. I decided to make a lifelong commitment against illegal psychoactive drugs and alcohol/tobacco when I was really young. I'd say around 10 or 11. I refer to myself as a militant abstainer.
I've seen what alcoholism and substance abuse can do to a person and a person's family. My grandfather was an alcoholic and my uncle was an alcoholic and a substance abuser. He is now dead. He destroyed himself.
I have had friends die of overdoses. It is because what I've seen that I choose to live this way.
It has become a major part of my self identity. No amount of peer pressure will break me. I abstain. It's what I do.
I am happy to see this community full of people who are like minded with me and also who are not afraid to abstain from harmful substances that can potentially destroy our minds and bodies.
thanks,
Mike
-----
I know there are a few here who share this philosophy, such as Josh, Robert, and others. I know former member Hussham would be one as well. I am betting there are others and I'd like to invite you to participate in this thread. =)
This thread is for like minded people to share their stories/experiences related to living the straight edge lifestyle. This is for those who are outcasts among outcasts, counter culture among counter culture.
As always I like to throw out some questions: Do you find it hard to maintain this lifestyle? Do you ever feel pressured to give in and experiment? Do you find yourself judged based on what you DON'T do rather than what you do? How did you come to make this commitment?
I'm gonna end with a quote. This quote is from one of my favorite New X-men characters... the Beak.
Keep your beer and cigarettes. I'm straight-edge
hardcore. My body is my temple. ~ Beak, New X-Men #131
msgt
First, I always want to make the proper qualifications. Again, this thread leans more towards the personal. Like I've said many times that is the type of posts I enjoy the most. We used to have a lot of those but thats mainly a thing of the past. Maybe we can do something about that.
This thread is for abstainers. This is not an academic discussion on drugs -what they are, how we define them, the many problems with definitions of what a drug even is, or commentary on current drug trends or social problems regarding drug use/abuse or the emerging "drug culture", etc.
This thread is for the so called Straight Edgers (straight edge as personal philosophy and lifestyle choice). I'll define 'straight edge' as a life long oath to abstain from all forms of recreational drugs including alcohol and cigarettes, and to abstain from promiscuous sex and moderate our sexual desires in general.
Quote:
The straight edge oath is one for life, taken to the grave (til' death). Straight edge is not for everyone. Straight edge is not flexible. Straight edge is a radical commitment to stay free of addiction and the destructive escapism common to society for your entire life. If you cannot maintain this oath until death, simply do not take it. If you must have promiscuous sex, call yourself poison free. The abstention from promiscuous sex is an element of straight edge often ignored or casually looked over by straight edge people but it is equally as important as not drinking, smoking or drugging yourself.
'Poison Free' in the straight edge subculture refers to not consuming illegal psychoactive drugs or alcohol/tobacco products. You become 'straight edge' when you make the lifelong commitment to abstain.
I recentely joined an online Straight Edge community/forum and I made a post there in their introductions thread. This is my brief intro:
--------------
Hey Guys!
I'm new and thought I'd post my bio. To use the straight edge subculture language I have been "poison free" my whole life. I decided to make a lifelong commitment against illegal psychoactive drugs and alcohol/tobacco when I was really young. I'd say around 10 or 11. I refer to myself as a militant abstainer.
I've seen what alcoholism and substance abuse can do to a person and a person's family. My grandfather was an alcoholic and my uncle was an alcoholic and a substance abuser. He is now dead. He destroyed himself.
I have had friends die of overdoses. It is because what I've seen that I choose to live this way.
It has become a major part of my self identity. No amount of peer pressure will break me. I abstain. It's what I do.
I am happy to see this community full of people who are like minded with me and also who are not afraid to abstain from harmful substances that can potentially destroy our minds and bodies.
thanks,
Mike
-----
I know there are a few here who share this philosophy, such as Josh, Robert, and others. I know former member Hussham would be one as well. I am betting there are others and I'd like to invite you to participate in this thread. =)
This thread is for like minded people to share their stories/experiences related to living the straight edge lifestyle. This is for those who are outcasts among outcasts, counter culture among counter culture.
As always I like to throw out some questions: Do you find it hard to maintain this lifestyle? Do you ever feel pressured to give in and experiment? Do you find yourself judged based on what you DON'T do rather than what you do? How did you come to make this commitment?
I'm gonna end with a quote. This quote is from one of my favorite New X-men characters... the Beak.
Keep your beer and cigarettes. I'm straight-edge
hardcore. My body is my temple. ~ Beak, New X-Men #131
msgt

