my choice is to be drug free essay

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Why is It Important to Be Drug Free?

Mark Halsey

Mark Halsey is a licensed therapist, founder, and chief editor of Clean Break Recovery. With over a decade of addiction treatment experience, Mark deeply understands... Read more

Drugs have been a staple in our society for centuries, but in recent years, their influence has become increasingly pervasive. As a result, it has become more important than ever to understand why it is important to be drug free. This article will discuss the importance of leading a drug-free lifestyle, the potential dangers associated with drug use, and how to remain drug free. By the end of this article, readers will have a better understanding of why it is important to stay away from drugs and how to do so.

It is important to be drug free because drugs can affect your physical and mental health, relationships, and everyday life. Drugs can interfere with your ability to work and study, lead to financial problems, and even put you in legal trouble. Drugs can also lead to addiction, a disease that affects your brain and behavior and can cause major health and social issues.

Mental Health Risks of Drug Use

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The use of illicit drugs can have a serious impact on physical health. Many drugs contain toxins that can damage the body and even lead to long-term health problems, such as liver damage, heart disease, and even cancer. Drug use can also lead to an increased risk of accidents, such as car crashes, due to impaired coordination and judgment. Additionally, drug use can interfere with the body’s ability to fight off infections, leading to an increased risk of contracting illnesses such as HIV or hepatitis.

Drugs, especially those that are injected, can also put users at risk of developing serious blood-borne infections, such as HIV and hepatitis, due to shared needles. Furthermore, drug use can lead to an increased risk of overdose, which can be fatal if not treated in time.

Drug use can have a serious impact on mental health. Drug use can lead to an increased risk of developing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Additionally, drug use can lead to an increased risk of suicide, as well as an increased risk of developing addiction, which can lead to even more physical and mental health issues.

Furthermore, drug use can interfere with a person’s ability to think clearly, leading to difficulty making decisions and concentrating. It can also interfere with a person’s ability to form and maintain relationships, as well as lead to financial difficulties due to the cost of obtaining drugs.

Drug use can also have legal and social consequences. Drug use is illegal in most countries, and those caught using or possessing drugs can face jail time, fines, or both. Drug use can also lead to an increased risk of being involved in criminal activities, such as drug trafficking or theft.

Additionally, drug use can lead to social stigma, as drug use is often seen as a sign of weakness or failure. This can lead to a person being shunned or ostracized from their family, friends, and community.

The Benefits of Being Drug Free

Being drug free has many benefits for both physical and mental health. Drug-free individuals are less likely to suffer from the physical and mental health problems associated with drug use, and more likely to lead healthy and productive lives.

Additionally, being drug free can help to reduce the chances of legal issues, as drug use is illegal in most countries. Furthermore, being drug free can help to reduce the social stigma associated with drug use, as it shows that a person is in control of their life and is not engaging in risky behaviors.

Being drug free can also lead to increased self-esteem, as drug use is often seen as a sign of weakness or failure. This can lead to a feeling of accomplishment and pride in knowing that one is capable of making responsible decisions and living a healthy lifestyle.

Additionally, being drug free can lead to increased confidence, as it can help to improve a person’s self-image and lead to better decision-making and problem-solving skills. Furthermore, being drug free can lead to increased motivation and focus, as drug use can cause a person to become distracted and unmotivated.

Being drug free can also lead to improved relationships, as drug use can interfere with a person’s ability to form and maintain relationships. Being drug free can lead to improved communication skills, as drug use can interfere with a person’s ability to think clearly and express themselves.

Additionally, being drug free can lead to improved trust, as drug use can lead to mistrust and suspicion. Furthermore, being drug free can lead to increased respect, as drug use can lead to a lack of respect from others.

Related Faq

Being drug free has many benefits. Staying away from drugs and alcohol can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. You can make healthier life choices, have better relationships with family and friends, and avoid negative consequences associated with drug and alcohol use. Being drug free can also improve physical and mental health, allowing you to lead a more fulfilling life with fewer risks.

The risks of using drugs are numerous and can vary depending on the type of drug. For example, drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine can lead to addiction, respiratory failure, and even death. Drugs like marijuana can lead to impaired cognitive functioning, memory issues, and decreased motivation. Other drugs such as opioids can lead to depression, overdose, and addiction. All drugs can have serious long-term consequences, even if used in small quantities.

Long-term drug abuse can have serious and lasting effects on a person’s health. Drug abuse can lead to physical and psychological dependence, organ damage, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. It can also lead to financial strain due to the high cost of drugs and associated medical bills. In addition, drug abuse can lead to social problems such as homelessness, unemployment, and strained relationships with family and friends.

Staying drug free is possible with dedication and determination. A good way to start is by avoiding situations where drugs and alcohol are present. It can also help to have a strong support system, such as family, friends, or a therapist. Additionally, engaging in activities such as exercise, art, and volunteer work can help take your mind off drugs and alcohol. Finally, if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, seek professional help from a doctor or addiction specialist.

If you have a friend who is struggling with drug abuse, it is important to be supportive and understanding. Let them know that you are there for them and that you care about them. Encourage them to seek help from a doctor or addiction specialist. Offer to accompany them to appointments or meetings with a therapist. If necessary, you can also help them find a rehabilitation facility or support group.

It is important to be drug free for many reasons. Drugs can be highly addictive and can have serious negative physical and mental health effects. They can also lead to financial and social problems. Staying away from drugs and alcohol can help you lead a healthier lifestyle, make better decisions, and maintain positive relationships with friends and family. It is also important to stay drug free for the safety of yourself and those around you.

Being drug free is an important way to ensure that you can live a long, healthy, and successful life. Not only will you be able to avoid the dangerous effects of drugs, but you will also be setting an example for those around you. Choosing to remain drug free is a positive lifestyle choice that will help ensure you can enjoy the best that life has to offer.

Mark Halsey is a licensed therapist, founder, and chief editor of Clean Break Recovery. With over a decade of addiction treatment experience, Mark deeply understands the complex needs of those struggling with addiction and utilizes a comprehensive and holistic approach to address them. He is well-versed in traditional and innovative therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness-based interventions.

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Guest Essay

This Is What Neuroscientists and Philosophers Understand About Addiction

By Maia Szalavitz

Ms. Szalavitz is a contributing Opinion writer who covers addiction and public policy.

When I was arrested and charged with possession with intent to sell cocaine in 1986, I was addicted to both coke and heroin. Although I was facing a 15 years-to-life sentence, the first thing I did after my parents bailed me out and held a family meeting was to find and secretly inject some prescription opioids that I knew the police hadn’t confiscated.

I knew that doing this further jeopardized my life prospects and my relationships with everyone I cared about. I knew it made no sense. But I didn’t believe that I could cope in any other way. Until I finally recognized that I needed treatment and began recovery in 1988 — with the prospect of that lengthy sentence under New York’s draconian Rockefeller laws still occluding my future — I didn’t think I had any real choice.

Was my brain hijacked by drugs — or was I willfully choosing to risk it all for a few hours of selfish pleasure? What makes people continue taking drugs like street fentanyl, which put them at daily risk of death?

These questions are at the heart of drug policy and the way we view and treat addiction. But simplistic answers have stymied efforts to ameliorate drug use disorders and reduce stigma.

Research now shows that addiction doesn’t ‌‌mean either being completely subject to irresistible impulses, or making totally free choices. Addiction’s effects on decision-making are complex. Understanding them can help policymakers, treatment providers and family members aid recovery.

Claims that people with addiction are unable to control themselves are belied by basic facts. Few of us inject drugs in front of the police, which means that most are capable of delaying use. ‌‌Addicted people often make complicated plans over days and months to obtain drugs and hide use from others, again indicating purposeful activity. Those given the option will use clean needles. Moreover, small rewards for drug-free urine tests — used in a treatment called contingency management — are quite successful at helping people quit, which couldn’t be possible if addiction obliterated choice.

However, those who contend that substance use disorder is just a series of self-centered decisions face conflicting evidence, too. The most obvious ‌is the persistence of addiction despite dire losses like being cut off by family members or friends, getting fired, becoming homeless, contracting infectious diseases or being repeatedly ‌incarcerated‌‌.

‌Most people who try drugs don’t get addicted, even to opioids or methamphetamine, which suggests that ‌factors other than simply being exposed to a drug can contribute to addiction. ‌The majority of people who do get hooked have other psychiatric disorders, traumatic childhoods or both — only ‌7 percent report no history of mental illness . ‌‌Nearly 75 percent of women with heroin addiction‌‌ were sexually abused as children — and most people with any type of addiction have suffered at least one and often many forms of childhood trauma‌‌. ‌‌This data implies that ‌‌genetic and environmental vulnerabilities influence risk.

So how does addiction affect choice? Neuroscientists and philosophers are beginning to converge on answers, which could help make policy more humane and more effective.

Brains can be seen as prediction engines, constantly calculating what is most likely to happen next and whether it will be beneficial or harmful. As children grow up, their emotions and desires get calibrated to guide them toward‌ what their brains predict will ‌meet their social and physical needs. Ideally, as we develop, we gain more control and optimize the ability to choose.

‌But there are many ways that these varied processes can ‌go awry in addiction and alter how a person makes choices and responds to consequences.

Traditionally, researchers focused on how the drug experience changes during addiction. At first, using is fun, perhaps exciting, perhaps soothing. It solves a problem like social anxiety or an absence of pleasure. Then, however, it becomes less effective: More is needed to get the desired effects, and coping without it begins to seem impossible. As addiction becomes ingrained, the craving for drugs intensifies even as they become less enjoyable.‌

In my own experience with cocaine, this disconnect was pronounced. At first, I found it euphoric. Toward‌ the end of my addiction, I was injecting dozens of times a day, desperately wanting coke but ‌also knowing it would make me feel hideous. The ‌‌ incentive salience‌ theory suggests that addiction is a problem of outsized “wanting” despite reduced “liking,” which becomes less amenable to cognitive control over time.

‌‌During addiction, people also tend to prioritize short-term rewards over long-term gains, which means that they postpone the pain associated with quitting, often indefinitely. This idea, which is known as “ delay discounting ” further helps explain why people with chaotic childhoods and precarious incomes are at higher risk: When a better future seems unlikely, it is rational to get whatever joy you can in the present.

Chandra Sripada, professor of psychiatry and philosophy at the University of Michigan, argues that distorted thinking is more important in addictive behavior than overwhelming desire, leading to what he calls “unreliable” control over use. He focuses on how addiction affects our stream of consciousness.

During addiction, he contends, despairing thoughts about oneself and the future — not just thoughts about how good the drug is — predominate. At the same time, thoughts about negative consequences of use are minimized, as are those about alternative ways of coping. Drugs are overvalued as a way to mitigate distress; everything else is undervalued. The result is an unstable balance, which, more often than not, tips toward getting high.

This theory ‌is helpful for explaining who is most likely to get addicted and what is most likely to generate recovery. Risk factors like poverty, a traumatic childhood and mental illness generate excess stress while tending to produce negative thoughts about oneself. In my case, I was depressed and isolated because of what I later learned was undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder — and hated myself for my inability to connect. The result was a mental climate conducive to relying on drugs, even when they no longer ‌provided relief.

Factors linked to recovery — like social support and employment — can offset distorted thoughts and inflated valuation of drug use. Essentially, people make better choices when they recognize and have access to better options‌. If you are locked in a room with an escape route unknown to you hidden under the carpet, you are just as trapped as if that exit didn’t exist. My recovery began when I saw that there was a bearable way out.

This is why punitive approaches so often backfire : Causing more pain for people who view drugs as their only way to cope drives desire to use even more. Punishment doesn’t teach new skills that can allow better decisions. I was just lucky that I got help before it was too late.

But if addicted people are making choices that are harmful to themselves or others, shouldn’t they be held responsible for their behavior? Hanna Pickard, distinguished professor of philosophy and bioethics at Johns Hopkins University, calls for a framework she labels “ responsibility without blame .” In this view, addicted people do have some control over their decisions. However, that doesn’t mean they deserve blame or that shaming and punishing them will improve matters.

Instead, providing people with both the skills and the resources they need to change, and compassionately holding them accountable as they learn to make different choices, can promote recovery. (This approach is a therapeutic one, not aimed at adjudicating addiction-related crimes, although the idea could potentially be extended into the legal realm.)

Research finds that framing addictive behavior as an involuntary brain disease reduces the tendency to blame people for it. But this perspective does not necessarily alleviate stigma or the desire to punish. This is probably because viewing individuals as having no autonomy dehumanizes them and makes others want to lock them up in an attempt to protect society.

The “responsibility without blame” concept offers a way around this: ‌People with addiction have agency, but it is compromised. And this is not unique to addiction.

“I will have less control, if I’m exhausted and tired and upset, than if I’m well-slept in a stable happy place in my life,” said Professor Pickard, noting that being “hangry” is a classic example of ‌diminishe‌‌d emotional control.

To recover, people with addiction need both new skills and an environment that provides better alternatives. This doesn’t mean rewarding people for bad behavior. Instead, we must recognize that compulsive drug use is far more often a response to a life where meaning and comfort appear out of reach than it is a selfish quest for excess pleasure.

Maia Szalavitz ( @maiasz ) is a contributing Opinion writer and the author, most recently, of “ Undoing Drugs : How Harm Reduction Is Changing the Future of Drugs and Addiction.”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram .

• EXPLORE Random Article

How to Be Drug Free

Last Updated: February 15, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS . Trudi Griffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin specializing in Addictions and Mental Health. She provides therapy to people who struggle with addictions, mental health, and trauma in community health settings and private practice. She received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University in 2011. There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 11 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 294,146 times.

You don't have to look hard to find someone whose life has been damaged by his use of drugs. Many people have made the decision to use drugs, and regretted it, but that doesn't have to be you. For those that are already addicted: you can be drug free.

Handling the Temptation to Try Drugs

• If you feel tempted to try drugs, even once, consider what it may do to your goals for the future. How likely are you to be able to achieve your goals if you're dependent on an expensive and/or illegal drug, or in jail or with a criminal record for using it?
• Setting goals can also help improve your self-confidence. [3] X Research source When you feel confident in yourself and your ability to achieve what you set out to do, you're less likely to want to do drugs. [4] X Trustworthy Source National Institute on Drug Abuse Leading U.S government agency supporting scientific research on drug use and its consequences. Go to source
• Setting and achieving goals is also crucial to getting off of drugs. This practice shows you that you can achieve what you set out to do, including kick your drug use. [5] X Research source

• If you're feeling pressured or curious about drug use, don't keep it to yourself. Find someone you know, trust, and respect to talk to about it. Other people can offer you advice and support, which is very important for staying drug free. [7] X Research source

• For example, take up a hobby, spend more time laughing with friends, play a fun video game, or help others out, to feel better instead. This will help you find new meaning in your life. [9] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source .
• Go for a run, get lost in a good novel, talk to family and friends, play a fun video game, or actively try to solve your problem or negative thoughts by seeking counselling. [10] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
• Talk about how you feel with friends or engage in a distracting activity like going out to a movie.

• Be aware that vulnerability to drug addiction can run in the family, so if you have a family member who is addicted to drugs, know that you may be especially vulnerable and should do that much more to be drug free.
• If you have friends who actively use drugs, find new friends. Instead, surround yourself with people who do not use drugs and who think being sober is a better way to live. [12] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source Teens are especially likely to use drugs if their friends do. [13] X Trustworthy Source National Institute on Drug Abuse Leading U.S government agency supporting scientific research on drug use and its consequences. Go to source

• If you are at a party and you realize that there are drugs there, simply leave. Peer pressure might make you crack, even if you're certain you'll be able to say no.
• Be aware that social influence is very strong, and it has an effect on your temptation to use drugs. [14] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Even social media can influence you to be more likely to use drugs. If you notice a lot of photos about drug use on your social media, consider blocking those sources of influence too.

• If it's because you think everyone else is doing it and you want to connect with your buddies, remind yourself that not everyone is doing drugs. In fact, drug use in general is down among young people. [16] X Trustworthy Source National Institute on Drug Abuse Leading U.S government agency supporting scientific research on drug use and its consequences. Go to source There are plenty of great, healthy ways to connect with your friends, such as taking up a hobby or sport together.
• If it's because you're feeling stressed or pressured, recognize that drug use is a common way to handle stress, but it's very unhealthy. There are great ways to handle stress, such as exercise, yoga, and meditation. If you feel really stressed out, talking to a therapist could help too.
• Remember that your decision-making skills haven't fully matured if you're a teen. [17] X Trustworthy Source National Institute on Drug Abuse Leading U.S government agency supporting scientific research on drug use and its consequences. Go to source Choosing to use drugs is a decision that could haunt you for the rest of your life. Will your 50-year-old self thank you for deciding to try drugs?

• If someone who offers you drugs asks you why you do not want to do them you do not need to give any reasons. Just say that you don't do drugs. If you provide reasons you leave the door open for further conversation, where the person can then try to persuade you to try the drugs.
• You may have people try to change your mind by saying things such as "But everyone's doing it" or "Just once won't hurt you." Remain firm. You can tell the person that in fact, drug use has gone down among young people, so clearly not everyone is doing it, and you won't be either. [18] X Trustworthy Source National Institute on Drug Abuse Leading U.S government agency supporting scientific research on drug use and its consequences. Go to source Or you can say "Nope, not even once. I don't need that in my life."

• Learn a new language. Pick up a hobby. Teach yourself a musical instrument. Volunteer in your community. You will enrich your life (and boost your resume) and help yourself stay away from drugs.

• Make a list of everything that makes you happy. Pick a few that are easily attainable, such as experiences like cooking an inexpensive meal, or going to the movies, and be sure to engage in those activities regularly.

Refraining From Using Drugs Again

• People who use drugs are not “bad” or “immoral” people.
• People who use drugs often cannot simply “knock it off.” Drug addictions change your brain in ways that make it difficult -- but not impossible -- to quit.

• If there are certain triggers that you know may cause a problem and lead to drug use, throw them away. Delete that song from your ipod or throw out those rolling papers; if your triggers are permanently gone you will be less likely to use drugs.
• You may also need to not go to places you used to go when you used drugs. Staying away may be difficult, but it will help you kick your drug use.

• To find one, talk to your doctor, counselor or other healthcare provider, check your phone book for a list of local support groups, consult with your religious or secular community groups, or speak with local or national groups who are devoted to helping people get past addictions.

• Remind yourself that this probably is not the first time you have experienced the urge to do drugs. Has that urge passed before? The answer is almost certainly yes. Remind yourself that it will pass this time too. The urge exists, but you do not have to act on it.
• Notice the thoughts and sensations that you experience during the urge. For example, you might feel a strong feeling that you want to use your drug of choice. You might feel sweaty or itchy, or feel restless. Acknowledge these as existing. Remind yourself that they are just thoughts; they do not truly have power over you.
• Focus on deep breathing as you surf your urges. Breathe slowly and evenly, in and out. This will help keep your attention on the present moment rather than focusing on your craving.

Keeping Your Body Healthy

• Eat whole foods such as lean meats, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Who knows, you might even develop a passion for cooking that builds your self-esteem and turns into a hobby that helps to keep you drug free. [23] X Research source

• Try visualization. This technique involves forming peaceful and relaxing mental images. For example, picture a calm ocean and try to imagine it with all of your senses; think about how it would smell, how the wind and sun would feel against your skin. Fully immerse yourself in the experience. [29] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
• Try a soothing exercise, such as yoga or tai chi.

• Find a comfortable and quiet spot to sit for 10-15 minutes.
• Focus on your breath, inhaling deeply and steadily.
• As thoughts pass through your mind, release them without judgment. Turn your attention back to your breath.

• Begin with your toes. Clench them as hard as you can for 5 seconds, and then relax for 5 seconds. Notice the sensation of relaxation. Move up your body from your calves, thighs, buttocks, abs, chest, shoulders, arms, neck, and face. [33] X Research source

Seeking Treatment

• Behavioral treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, is very effective in helping people who use drugs manage their urges and stop their drug use.
• Family therapy can also be helpful, particularly if your family dysfunction is contributing to your drug use.
• Contingency management uses positive reinforcement, such as rewards, for staying off drugs.

• To find a detox center, search here: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
• People with serious drug use problems, a long history of drug use, involvement in criminal activity, or trouble with social functioning due to drugs are often helped by residential treatment at a detox facility. [36] X Trustworthy Source National Institute on Drug Abuse Leading U.S government agency supporting scientific research on drug use and its consequences. Go to source

• help you to grow, to become more productive, by your definition.
• help you become more autonomous, more loving of yourself, more excited, less sensitive, more free to become the authority for your own living.
• not be a crutch or be around you if you fail to make progress.

Expert Q&A

• Talk to those you trust about your temptation, they'll understand and help you avoid it. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you have a drug problem talk to a school counsellor, or consider joining a group such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Alateen, or N.A. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Never take drugs. Medicine is considered a drug but never abuse your medication. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/lessons-prevention-research
• ↑ http://www.narconon.org/blog/drug-prevention/best-way-keep-kids-off-drugs/
• ↑ http://www.mindtools.com/selfconf.html
• ↑ http://girlshealth.gov/substance/drugs/sayno.html
• ↑ http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/natural-recoverers-kick-addiction-without-help-201202134236
• ↑ http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/overcoming-drug-addiction.htm
• ↑ http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction
• ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1401848
• ↑ http://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/noras-blog/2015/01/brain-in-progress-why-teens-cant-always-resist-temptation
• ↑ http://www.drugfree.org/resources/top-8-reasons-why-teens-try-alcohol-and-drugs/
• ↑ http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-abuse-addiction
• ↑ https://www.cmha.bc.ca/get-informed/mental-health-information/improving-mh
• ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2904966/
• ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/relaxation-technique/art-20045368
• ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/relaxation-technique/art-20045368?pg=2
• ↑ http://www.elementsbehavioralhealth.com/featured/meditation-for-alcoholism-and-drug-addiction-recovery/
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/all-about-addiction/201110/mindfulness-meditation-and-addiction
• ↑ http://www.anxietybc.com/sites/default/files/MuscleRelaxation.pdf
• ↑ http://www.addictionrecoveryguide.org/treatment/detoxification/
• ↑ http://lblna.org/sponsorship.htm

About this article

To be drug free, try to spend your time doing other things that make you feel good, like running, playing video games, or reading a good book. Also, try picking up a new hobby or teaching yourself something new to help distract you from urges and cravings. If you have friends or family members that do drugs, you should consider distancing yourself from them so they can't pressure you to do them too. Remember that you can always reach out to a counselor or trusted family member for help if you're having trouble giving up drugs on your own. To learn how to keep your body healthy so you're less tempted to do drugs, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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101 Ways to Live Drug Free

Reading Time: 9 minutes

• Exercise for at least thirty minutes every day in order to live healthier, be more active, and build your confidence.
• A stressful, chaotic lifestyle” can help lead to drug abuse. Find healthy ways to deal with your stress .
• Find peace in those things you already have in life instead of wishing for the things that you do not.
• Avoid using short-term solutions for problems . It will make you less likely to abuse drugs as a quick fix for unhappiness or stress.
• Spend time outdoors , even when you don’t have to, to feel connected with nature.
• Take classes. Educate yourself. Never stop learning new things.
• Do not let the opinions of others be so important to your opinion of yourself. Many instances of drug abuse start with peer pressure.
• Suggest activities you know you will be comfortable with when going out with friends.
• Consider the needs of your children: those who grow up seeing their parents using drugs may have a high risk of developing an addiction later in life for both environmental and genetic reasons.
• When you feel down, compliment yourself . There is always something better than you can say instead of berating yourself.
• Learn the dangers of drug abuse and the specific health issues caused by different drugs.
• Remember that whatever happens to you today won’t seem quite as much like the end of the world tomorrow.
• Spend time with the people who build you up , not the ones who tear you down.
• Also , make friends who are like-minded . It can be hard to stay drug-free when your friends are not.
• Be aware of your surroundings and environment. If you live in a place where drug abuse and crime is prevalent and you can move, do so.
• Remove people from your life who do not respect your decision to live drug-free .
• Remember to take care of yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally and, if something is wrong, tend to the issue.
• “Neglecting to eat” is one of the symptoms of drug abuse. Making sure to exercise good nutrition is key to a healthy, drug-free life.
• Don’t ever hesitate to ask for advice if you are confused, scared, or unsure of what to do next.
• Avoid places where you know that drugs and alcohol are available.
• Make regular doctors’ visits in order to stay healthy and to know what aspects of your well-being you may need to work on.
• If you are offered drugs, be polite but confident in your refusal of them . It causes both parties to be calmer and to justify their own behavior.
• Practice mindfulness by being aware of yourself in the present. Studies suggest that mindfulness practices may help people manage stress and reduce anxiety and depression.
• Remember that drug abuse can lead to addiction , a chronic mental disorder that can cause relapse even years after treatment, meaning that some individuals will live with it for a long time.

You CAN lead a drug-free life!

• Take into consideration that most youths do not use drugs .
• Make a list of things you have fun doing that don’t involve drugs . Keep your list and pick activities from it when necessary.
• Write in a journal or blog as much as possible to externalize your feelings and keep them from staying bottled up.
• Take pains to monitor yourself, your feelings, and your needs. Be aware of yourself and which issues are most important to you.
• Seek treatment when a compulsion, a feeling, or an addiction goes beyond your control.
• Choose treatments that emphasize therapy when applicable.
• Remember that not all drugs and medications are harmful or addictive but that they can all have side effects you must be aware of .  Any drug use involves risk.
• Have confidence that your decision not to do drugs is the right choice for you.
• It is all right to be friendly, helpful, and accommodating toward others, but always remember that you must look out for your own well-being too .
• Get plenty of sleep . Not having enough sleep can affect your judgment and your emotions.
• Remember that being on drugs alters your mental and emotional state . You are not yourself when you are high.
• Set aside me time that doesn’t involve stress or pleasing anyone else. During this time, do the thing you want to do most that are healthy and kind to you.
• Be aware of your personal risks associated with drug abuse. For example, “a person’s genes” can be a factor in their possible abuse risk.
• Don’t avoid your problems by pretending they don’t exist. It will just make things worse in the long run.
• Remind yourself of all the people who want you to be happy, healthy, and safe , states which could be compromised by your drug use.
• Don’t experiment with drug abuse; this can often lead to addiction and other issues.
• When you catch yourself being too critical, remember to talk to yourself as if you were your best friend .
• Having a stable home life can help you avoid drug abuse.
• Read the information that does not “glamorize or instill inappropriate fear about drugs.” Most things are not in black and white but shades of gray.
• Help others. Positive actions toward other people are beneficial to both them and you.
• Take pride in your work. Even if you are not currently happy with your job, find something about it that you do well and take pride in it.
• Make achievable goals for yourself that you can work toward. Even if the end result is something amazing or monumental, take each little goal leading up to it one at a time.
• Always drink plenty of water to keep healthy.
• Don’t put too much stock in why other people do what they do. Focus on yourself and your needs , and make sure you are taking actions that are beneficial to you and those you love.
• Try and accept the issues in your life that you can’t change.
• Attend support group meetings as a supplement to formal drug addiction treatment. You will meet other individuals who are dealing with the same issues you are.
• Many drug-addicted individuals also have other mental disorders so make sure to seek treatment for issues like bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD , etc.
• Don’t try to quit cold turkey . It can often lead to intense withdrawal syndromes and relapse. Attend detox or drug addiction treatment instead.
• Remember, though, that “ medically assisted detoxification is not in itself ‘treatment’ ––it is only the first step in the treatment process.”
• Don’t suffer in silence about your psychological distress or social issues. Talk to someone you can trust instead of turning to drugs.
• Remind yourself that relapsing or abusing drugs for the first time does not mean you have failed in your drug free pledge, just that you have to keep going .
• Tell yourself (and believe) that you deserve a second chance .
• Accept the mistakes of your past that you cannot change, apologize for any wrongs you have done those you care about and move on .
• Choose a treatment facility or substance use disorder program that meets your specific needs and not just the ones that pertain to your drug abuse.
• Make changes whenever necessary to your treatment plan. These must be “assessed continually and modified as necessary to ensure that it meets [your] changing needs.”
• Choose a treatment type or facility that is “readily available,” not one that you know you will never be able to attend because of distance, cost, etc.
• Give yourself a realistic treatment plan , and do not take on abstinence or treatment goals that are beyond your current point in your recovery.
• Realize that you’re human ––relapse may occur but do not give up on your treatment or yourself.
• Make sure whatever treatment option you choose that you are comfortable . Do not choose a facility or program that you are uneasy about.
• Attend family and relationship counseling to work on the relationships that experienced issues due to your drug use.
• Use therapy in order to change your outlook toward drug use . If you can change your attitude and your perspective, you can actively change your behavior.
• Consider low-cost or free treatment. Drug addiction can take a toll on a person’s financial situation, and your treatment does not need to cost you as well .
• If school, work, or other stressors were major factors in your decision to do drugs, take time away from these responsibilities if at all possible.
• Get to know your nurses , doctors, and therapists on staff at your treatment facility. They want to help you recover and see you live a drug free life too.
• Admitting to and recognizing your drug abuse problem is the first step to your eventual recovery.
• Talk to others in group therapy, but remember to listen as well.
• Be kind to yourself during rehab because it is a very difficult time.
• Learn to recognize when you made excuses for your drug abuse, and choose to stop doing so .
• Ask a friend to stay with you , especially if you are going through withdrawal.
• Attend treatment for as long as necessary.
• Make the necessary changes to your life that you know you must after you recover from abuse.
• Congratulate yourself for milestones; reward yourself for specific amounts of time sober or other moments of significance with abstinence-friendly prizes.
• Do whatever you must (attend support groups, teach abstinence to youths, etc.) to be mindful of the fact that your recovery is an ongoing process .
• Be wary that stopping your drug use does not manifest in another unhealthy way like extreme weight loss/gain, untreated depression, etc.
• Keep in touch with the friends you make during treatment.
• Consider the things about sober life you’d neglected or missed out on while abusing drugs.
• Always try to be honest with yourself about how you feel. Denial is one of the common practices of drug abusers.
• Be honest with others as well, and they will not have a reason to doubt you.
• If you will be homeless or jobless after rehab, ask to be admitted to a halfway house that can help get you back on your feet.
• Sober living houses are also beneficial for helping to reintegrate former addicts stay clean as alcohol and drug free living environments.
• When you are ready to return home from treatment, have someone remove all drugs and paraphernalia as well as those items which may become triggers.
• Remind yourself that tomorrow is a new day , a blank slate, and a completely new opportunity to be who you want to be.
• When you are struggling, think about where you were one year ago or one month or one week.
• Appreciate the people who helped you , recognize what they did for you, and thank them.
• If you feel yourself becoming stressed, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and count to ten. It is an old trick, but it works.
• Keep your home clean and your things uncluttered. You will feel more organized and less frazzled.
• Anticipate and neutralize problems before they come up.
• Treat yourself every once in a while to take out, a new outfit, or a movie, for absolutely no reason at all.
• Try and make new friends , especially if you feel lonely after rehab.
• Enjoy your physical and mental health is restored.
• Be candid when asked about how you made your decision to be drug free or how you stopped abusing drugs. It will reinforce your decision and might help someone else as well.
• Take on a new responsibility like plants or a pet. It will remind you that there are others in the world who need you and depend on you.
• Do something every day that makes you laugh. Watch funny movies, play games with friends, or do whatever tickles your funny bone.
• Attend clubs, sports programs, and other activities where you can meet people and improve your skills .
• Try to spend time with other people when you can, but make sure that you can comfortably spend time alone .
• Note that drug addiction is a preventable disease. The best way to live drug free is to refrain from drugs from the start. 

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Substance Abuse and Addiction: Choice or Disease

How it works

Substance abuse and addiction will always be a hot topic, especially in the world we live. Drugs and alcohol are everywhere no matter where you live. There are those who are the occasional users and those who use all the time. Within the last year we have seen neighbors stick themselves with a needle and get high as well as receive Narcan in order to revive them. Scary to think it can be so close to home. You will find various opinions and research on the topic of substance abuse.

Substance abuse can often be associated with abusing drugs, alcohol and miss using them. Addiction is just that being addicted to a substance. Within this paper I will be summarizing articles that discuss substance abuse and addiction as a choice or as a disease. Furthermore, I will share my personal thoughts and feelings as to where I stand on this matter.

• 1 Definition
• 2 Article 1 Addiction Is a Choice
• 3 Article 2 Addiction Is a Disease
• 4 My Argument
• 5 Conclusion
• 6 Reference

According to WebMD, “”Substance abuse is when you take drugs that are not legal. It’s also when you use alcohol, prescription medicine and other legal substances too much or in a wrong way (“”What Is Substance Abuse”” 2018). WebMD continues to further state that, “”Substance abuse differs from addiction. Those who may struggle with substance abuse problems are able to quit or change their unhealthy behavior. Addiction is a disease, which means they can’t stop using even when it causes harm (“”What Is Substance Abuse”” 2018).

Article 1 Addiction Is a Choice

The first article that I looked at was called “”Addiction Is a Choice by Jefferey Schaler, PH. D. This was an interesting article where this gentleman argues that addiction is a choice and not a disease. “”Foolish, self-destructive activity is not necessarily a disease. (Schaler, 2002) “”Scientifically, the contention that addiction is a disease is empirically unsupported. Addiction is a behavior and thus clearly intended by the individual person. (Schaler, 2002, paragraph 3) He further discusses that “”there is no dispute that various substances cause physiological changes in the bodies of people who ingest them. (Schaler, 2002, paragraph 10 ) He argues that when a patient meets with a therapist in order to help them with their addiction that “”most of the conversation that occurs in therapy based on the disease model is potentially harmful and they mislead the patient into believing something that is not true-addiction is a disease and that addicts cannot control their behavior. (Schaler, 2002, Paragraph 16)

Article 2 Addiction Is a Disease

The second article that was looked at was “”Why Addiction Should Be Considered a Disease by Anna Lembke. This article had a much different read and of course this author believed that addiction should be considered a disease. “”Addiction affects 16 percent of the U.S. population, about 40 million people, which far exceeds other serious illnesses or diseases. (Lembke, 2018 pg. 4) Opioids is one of the biggest drugs that is causing these issues and unfortunately this cause can be directed at the doctors that are “”overprescribing (Lembke, 2018 pg. 4) it for pain meds. “”In 2016, 50,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, while at least four million Americans are addicted to opioids while a smaller amount are using them recreationally. (Lembke, 2018 pg. 4) She believes that we must “”embrace addiction as a disease and treat it as such within mainstream medical care even if we don’t believe it is one. (Lembke, 2018 pg. 4) Lembke continues her argument as she utilizes the “”disease model of addiction. (Lembke, 2018 pg. 5-6) (See figure 1 below) For those who become addicted it can be related to “”genetics. (Lembke, 2018 pg. 5) This disease can cause “”relapsing, and behavioral components (Lembke, 2018 pg. 5) Those who are addicted to drugs it unfortunately “”changes their brain function. (Lembke, 2018 pg. 5) While the down side to the disease model some might argue is that “”brain changes are not sufficient to categorize addiction as a disease. (Lembke, 2018 pg. 6)

Figure 1: Disease Model (Besse, 2005-2006)

“”The disease model of addiction describes an addiction as a disease with biological, neurological, genetic, and environmental sources of origin. The traditional medical model of disease requires only that an abnormal condition be present that causes discomfort, dysfunction, or distress to the individual afflicted. (“”Disease Model of Addiction”” 2013, para. 1)

My Argument

When I first thought about this paper, I was completely against substance abuse and addiction being a disease. I have always felt that people who would drink or do drugs made that choice and felt that if they make the choice to stick themselves with a needle, over dose on pills or drink themselves to oblivion then they have no problem risking their life with the chance of death. I don’t know what it’s like to have an addiction. On some level I understand why some pain medications can be addictive as they take away all the pain and you feel so good. What truly changed my thoughts were some of the readings. Individuals that are addicted to drugs and alcohol have a serious problem and I stand on the side that it should be considered a disease. “”Addiction, is a disease, which means they can’t stop using even when it causes harm. (“”What Is Substance Abuse”” 2018). Children that have parents or grandparents “”with substance disorder has a two to four times increased chance of developing addiction when compared to the general population. (Lembke, 2018 pg. 5) One major issue with trying to convince others that addiction is a disease is health care. “”Disease burden due to addiction exceeds half a trillion dollars annually. Yet only 1 percent of the total health care budget goes to treating addiction, and fewer than 1 in 10 persons with addiction receives treatment. (Lembke, 2018 pg. 4) I continue to support my argument with the support of the ethical theory, the ethics of care. This ethical theory supports health care being involved and helping those who are ill and in need of help. “”Disclosures, discussions and decision making in health care typically become a family affair, with support from a health care team. The ethics of care maintains that many human relationships in health care and research involve persons who are vulnerable, dependent, ill and frail and that the desirable moral response is attached attentiveness to needs. (Beauchamp, Walters, Kahn and Mastroianni, 2014, pg. 20) The ethical principle beneficence further supports my argument with, “”The welfare of patients is the goal of health care. This welfare objective is medicine’s context and justification: Clinical therapies are aimed at the promotion of health by cure or prevention of disease. (Beauchamp, Walters, Kahn and Mastroianni, 2014, pg. 24)

So where do we go from here? It will take a lot for the health care system and the many others to begin to accept addiction as a disease. This would require a lot to change in health benefits and some people might not be ready for those changes. If we can continue to support mental health places and what they are able to offer for support and services is better than nothing. Unfortunately, not all those who use drugs and alcohol want the help and those individuals can only help themselves when they are ready.

Beauchamp, T. L., Walters, L., & Kahn, J. P., Mastroianni, C. A., (2014). Contemporary Issues in Bioethics. Boston: Cengage Learning.

Besse, Jenny. “”Drug Addiction and Disease. Prized Writing (2005-2006), edited by Gregory Miller

Lembke, A. (2018). Why Addiction Should Be Considered a Disease [article]. Judges’ Journal, (Issue 1), 4. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edshol&AN=edshol.hein.journals.judgej57.6&site=eds-live

Schaler, A. A. (2002) Is Addiction a Disease, or is it a Choice?. Psychiatric Times, Volume XIX, (Issue 10). Retrieved from http://www.oocities.org/healingadvantage/news/addict.html

Wikipedia contributors. (2018, October 13). Disease model of addiction. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 00:24, December 13, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Disease_model_of_addiction&oldid=863902735

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A Broader Perspective on "My Body, My Choice"

The principle has implications that go far beyond abortion. some of them deserve far more attention than they have gotten to this point..

Ilya Somin | 6.30.2022 2:15 PM

The Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade has re-focused attention on the moral principle of "My Body, My Choice," advanced by the pro-choice movement. I agree with both the general principle, and with almost of all of its applications to the specific case of abortion. But the idea has implications that go far beyond abortion, including many of that are easier to defend and some that could potentially save large numbers of lives.

It frustrates me that many who propound the principle when it comes to abortion ignore or even oppose it in other contexts. Many on the political right are also inconsistent when it comes to issues of bodily autonomy.

In this post, I explain why abortion is a relatively hard case for the "My Body, My Choice" principle. If you believe (as I do) that it nonetheless applies here, you should be even more willing to apply it in many other cases. And some of those other applications are enormously significant.

Abortion is actually a difficult issue—even for libertarians and others who generally take a broad view of bodily autonomy. Political philosopher Michael Huemer and Clark Neily and Jay Schweikert of the Cato Institute have helpful discussions of the reasons why. I won't try to go over all of their analysis. But much of it comes down to the reality that there is a plausible case that abortion involves the taking of innocent life. And if it does, that effect happens almost every time. It's not just a marginal probablistic risk.

To be sure, libertarians and many others argue that we don't necessarily have a moral duty to save lives whenever we can, especially not one that should be enforced by the government. Similarly, Anglo-American law holds there is no liability if you walk by a baby drowning in a lake and choose not to save her (though some philosophers and legal scholars believe there should be). But, if a fetus has a right to life comparable to that of a baby, then abortion is a stronger case for regulation than the "drowning baby" scenario. In most, though not all, cases (rape is an obvious exception) the pregnant woman had a major role in putting the fetus in a position of jeopardy in the first place, by voluntarily choosing to have unprotected sex.

This makes the situation very different from one where the drowning baby was in peril for reasons having nothing to do with the person who might be able to save it. If you threw the baby in the water, or he ended up there through your negligence, you do indeed have a legal or moral duty to save him.

I think that "my body my choice" nonetheless justifies foregoing abortion restrictions in the vast majority of situations. Primarily, that's because I think fetuses (except perhaps in the very late stages of pregnancy) do not have a right to life comparable to that of infants. In addition, the severity of the burden imposed on pregnant women's bodily autonomy by abortion restrictions imposes a high burden of proof on defenders of such laws. I don't think pro-lifers have met that burden. But the issue is a genuinely hard one, despite the tendency of many on both sides to think that it's easy.

By contrast, a large number of other restrictions on bodily autonomy are much simpler cases, at least if you believe in a strong presumption in favor of "my body, my choice."

I listed several examples in a 2019 post on this subject. The list below includes some additions, whose importance has been highlighted by recent events:

1. Organ markets should be legalized. People should be free to sell kidneys, for example (subject, perhaps, to informed consent requirements).  If someone wants to sell a kidney, the response to prohibitionists should be: "you can't tell her what to do with her goddamn body, ever." Your kidney is part of your body, and the decision to sell should be your choice. As an extra bonus, legalizing such sales would save many thousands of lives.

2. Laws against prostitution should be abolished. They most definitely restrict people's freedom to control their own bodies (both prostitutes and their customers). The prostitute's body belongs to her, and using it for prostitution is her choice. Prostitution bans also restrict the bodily autonomy of customers. Thus, we should reject laws that punish them, while letting the prostitutes themselves go free . The "johns" own their own bodies no less than the prostitutes do. The kind of consensual sex you engage in with your body should be your choice.

3. The War on Drugs should be abolished. All of it. Not just the ban on marijuana. Its whole purpose is to restrict what sorts of substances you can put in your body. What you put in your body should be your choice. And, like the ban on organ sales, the War on Drugs harms large numbers of people, both in the US and abroad, in countries like the Phillippines and Mexico .

4. The government should not try to control people's diets through "sin taxes," or  restrictions on the size of sodas , and other such regulations. Here too, the goal is to restrict what we put in our bodies. If that leads to increased government spending on health care, the right solution is to restrict the subsidies , not bodily autonomy.

5. Draft registration, mandatory jury service , and all other forms of mandatory service should be abolished (if already in force) or taken off the political agenda (if merely proposed). All such policies literally expropriate people's bodies. What work you do with your body should be your choice.

6. We should legalize and use challenge trials for testing new vaccines against deadly diseases. The resulting earlier authorization of Covid-19 vaccines might have saved many thousands of lives . And it could save many more if we permit the use of challenge trials in the future.

7. Government-imposed mask mandates and lockdowns should be forbidden, or at least there must be very strong presumptions against them. Accumulating  evidence suggests that lockdowns did little good , and that the benefits of mask mandates are also modest , at best, as indicated by the serious flaws in the study most often cited to support them. At the very least, true advocates of "my body, choice" should have a strong presumption against such measures, inasmuch as they are truly massive intrusions on bodily autonomy, at least if continued for more than very brief periods. If they can be justified at all, it can only be by overwhelming evidence of large, life-saving effects. Or at least that's true if you have a strong commitment to "my body, my choice."

8. People should be allowed to take experimental medical treatments not approved by government regulators. That's especially true if the treatments have a significant chance of saving people from death or serious illness.

9. The Biden administration should drop its proposed ban on "vaping" and Juul e-cigarettes . Respect for "my body, my choice" requires us to let people decide for themselves whether they want to consume such products or not.

Like my earlier 2019 list , the above is far from exhaustive. But it's at least a rough indication of what truly consistent application of "my body, my choice" entails.

The organ market and challenge trial cases are especially worth highlighting. In both cases, eliminating limitations on bodily autonomy would not only expand freedom of choice, but also save enormous numbers of lives! This makes these situations far easier cases than abortion, where—as discussed above—there is a serious argument that freedom of choice entails the taking of innocent life. And yet organ markets and challenge trials get no more than a fraction of the attention and support that are focused on abortion rights.

Several of the items on the above list highlight inconsistencies by pro-choice liberals. But there is no shortage of similar inconsistency on the right. Consider, for example, conservatives who oppose mask and vaccine mandates on grounds of bodily autonomy, but strongly support the War on Drugs and laws banning prostitution.

Some will object that many of the cases described above must be ruled out because they involve restrictions on activities that are dangerous to health or safety (e.g.—prostitution, taking risky illegal drugs, and so on). If an activity is too dangerous, then government should be able to ban it in order to protect people from their own worst impulses.

But if that's your view, you're not really a supporter of "my body, my choice." Rather, you believe people should only be allowed to make choices that the government (or perhaps some group of experts) deems sufficiently safe. Among other flaws, such paternalism overlooks the possibility that people may legitimately differ over the amount of risk they are willing to accept.

Another standard objection to some of the items on my list is the fear that allowing them would lead to "exploitation" of the poor. For example, the poor may face more pressure to sell organs, become prostitutes, participate in challenge trials (if participants in the latter are allowed to be paid). I have responded to this objection in some detail in previous writings on organ markets and challenge trials .

Here, I will add that the very same issue arises with abortion. After all, many abortions occur at least in part because the women who get them are poor and want to avoid further economic hardship. If we are going to bar poor people from taking risks with their bodies in order to alleviate difficult economic circumstances, that, too, entails massive deviation from "my body, my choice."

Regular readers may wonder whether the above is consistent with my willingness to support some types of vaccination mandates . The answer is that this stance is consistent with the framework outlined in my 2019 post   on this subject (written before the Covid pandemic made this a high-profile issue):

I do not believe any right should be absolute . A great enough harm… might justify restricting virtually any liberty, if that were the only way to prevent it. But those who take the principle of bodily autonomy seriously should at least adopt a strong presumption against restrictions, and only support them in cases where there is very strong evidence both that the harm exists and that restricting liberty will solve the problem without creating comparably serious harms of its own.

I should clarify that the "great harm" in question is harm to third parties, not to the person whose autonomy is being restricted. In the case of vaccination against deadly contagious diseases, the harm prevented is potentially very great (loss of thousands of lives) and the restriction on liberty is small. In most cases, once you get the shot you can go back to your normal life very quickly, and you no longer even notice the presence of the vaccine. That's a sharp contrast with such cases as lockdowns, mask mandates, the War on Drugs, and—yes—abortion restrictions, which impose severe constraints on liberty over long periods of time, sometimes even indefinitely.

Obviously, the case for vaccination mandates also rests on the assumptions that 1) vaccination significantly reduces disease spread (as opposed to merely protecting the vaccinated themselves), and 2) voluntary vaccination won't be widespread enough to make compulsion unnecessary. Thus, defensible vaccination mandates are a fairly unusual case where the combination of large potential benefits and the very modest nature of the restriction on liberty, combine to overcome even a strong presumption in favor of bodily autonomy.

This post, like its predecessor , obviously cannot do justice to all the implications of "my body, my choice," or deal with all possible case-specific arguments for restriction. Elsewhere, I have addressed some of the latter with respect to organ sales , mandatory jury service , and mandatory national service generally , among other cases. In each such case, "my body, my choice" at least requires a strong presumption against restrictions, one that can only be overcome by strong evidence of large third-party benefits.

Despite unavoidable limitations, I hope this post at least shows that many supporters of the "my body, my choice" principle should consider broadening their horizons by applying it more consistently, to a wider range of issues. Some of those issues even involve massive, glaring injustices that so far have failed to attract more than a fraction of the attention they deserve.

UPDATE: I have made a few minor additions to this post.

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My Life as a Drug Addict

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Published: Mar 16, 2024

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