Expert: Crystal - 12/24/2008

Question
My boyfriend hangs out with his older brother and his friends, and most of them are moderate-heavy drinkers. His brother can do a six pack of beer by himself. But he also knows people who use cocaine "recreationally". He says they use it once a month, know how to enjoy it and not get addicted. I believe he also said the same thing about heroin. I don't know if I'm getting wrong information...but I'd always thought heroin was extremely addictive, and I couldn't see people being able to use it once a month. Do you know if people can use cocaine like that? I always feel like arguing, but now I don't know.

Answer
Danielle,

There are those individuals who use substances like the ones you mentioned on occasion, they are classified as drug abusers. Then there are those who use continuously and they are considered dependent. There is no difference between the two when it comes to right and wrong, they are both WRONG but those who still use occasionally, ie. abuse, risk becoming dependent. It doesn't take much to change sides when it comes to this. It is Russian roulette.