Wow, this is turning into a great discussion about addictions. Good to see. Here are my thoughts on the subject
I don't agree with Silent that only cowards and idiots drink. I believe the reason people consume alcohol is because it helps them relax and chill out. Most of the people I know drink alcohol on special occasions, and they also drink when they get together for a group outing. They're not alcoholics by any means, it just helps them relax and it takes the edge off. I seriously doubt anyone drinks alcohol for the taste(judging by the smell most alcohol tastes like flaming crap in liquid form), they do it for the effect it has on them. None of them are weak characters(since I'm very specific on who I befriend), but nearly all of them drink occasionally. They are all good people, and it doesn't dictate their life or anything.
About smoking, I agree with Richard that it's easier said than done. If you're a smoker and you really want to stop smoking, it takes a lot of self-control and self-discipline. Sadly, the majority of the people are very weak in that regard, and I dislike weak-minded people who don't at least attempt to become stronger(Richard, this is not aimed at you in any way. I'm pretty sure that you aren't weak-willed). However, even if you have a lot of self-control, it won't amount to anything if you don't have the strong desire to kick the habit. You really have to look at it realistically and decide whether or not you really want to do anything. You have to tell yourself what you want to achieve and you have to work very hard in order to achieve it. Of course, you must set realistic goals. Really wanting to grow wings won't make it so, no matter what you do(at least at this point in time). But for things that are definitely within the realm of the possible, you have to work hard and you have to work smart.
That's discipline, that's how progress is made. Discipline is basically the art of doing what you don't want to do in order to achieve what you want to achieve. An example: pretty much everyone wants to have a strong, good-looking body. Nobody wants to work out. Nobody. Even professional athletes don't want to work out. But many people desire to be agile and physically strong. Those of them who really, really want it will work in that direction. They will realize that it is a hard, time-consuming process. But they will want that result. And if they have the conviction and the mental fortitude to go through with the immensely boring training involved, they will achieve their goal or they will die trying(literally or metaphorically). The ends would justify the means. That's how shit gets done. It takes a strong character to look at yourself realistically and admit that you aren't where or what you want to be largely because you don't really try, or because you don't try hard enough, or because you make bullshit excuses every time it gets hard so you can feel better about yourself. Same thing with quitting smoking or any other addiction, for that matter. It takes a lot of willpower to defeat addictions, but in the end it's worth it. At least I think so.
To me personally, the very idea of being dependent on any substance(except vital things like food, water, oxygen, etc) is horrible. I would fucking hate myself if I was addicted to anything. To me it would mean would mean that I am weak to the point where I lack any sort of conviction, letting even inanimate man-made objects severely influence my behavior or mental state. A spiritual parallel with religion could be made. I despise most people who believe that someone or something else is calling the shots, denying any responsibility for their actions because supposedly there is a higher power in control. Thinking you have no control over yourself, what you do, say or think is the ultimate form of submission, and to me it would mean that you lack any sort of personal pride or honor. It's basically admitting that you're completely worthless and have no self-esteem. Keep in mind I use pride only in the sense that one can be proud when one has achieved anything through personal efforts, when they were personally and ultimately responsible for that achievement. Being proud to be American/Japanese/Izraeli/Egyptian/etc is fucking moronic, you had very little to do with any of that - you just happened to be born on a patch of Earth that generations of people before you had conquered and "made their own". Being proud to have made a significant contribution to physics, being proud to have overcome adversity, being proud to be a good artist - that is something else entirely, because that you did through effort and determination. However, it's a fine line between pride and arrogance. I like it when people admit that they're actually pretty awesome but still maintain some modesty, but I hate it when people are full of hot air.
Being the guy I am, I've had a very strong personal code of honor since I was young. Maybe it's because I was an avid reader even then, and all of the heroes(and anti-heroes) of the awesome books I read had a strong set of principles to which they adhered. Through that I have been able to vastly improve myself in a number of ways. Of course I don't hold everyone to my code, but I do follow it and it isn't detrimental to anyone who doesn't deserve it. I believe I also have a strong sense of justice(and it has got me into a lot of trouble), which is rarely convenient for the majority of stupid people around. In the words of George Bernard Shaw(a man I have a lot of respect for) - "I dislike cruelty, even cruelty to other people, and should therefore like to see all cruel people exterminated.". I approve of violence only when it is absolutely necessary, and when it is used for justice. An example of the first: Predators need to kill prey in order to survive. There's nothing they can do about that, it's in their nature. They have to eat. If there were abundant food I hardly think they'd bother killing prey. An example of the second: When violence is used to punish those who would harm others. A child rapist, a sadistic murderer or a serial killer(if he kills innocent creatures) should be treated without any mercy. As should any violent criminal.
Getting really sidetracked here, so back to addictions, specifically smoking. I just can't figure out how one starts smoking in the first place. I don't get the appeal. It smells horrible, leading me to believe that it tastes horrible, it is detrimental to your health, it's expensive and it affects other people whether you like it or not. It bothers me before when someone smokes near me, I'm forced to breathe this polluted air even if that's not what the person intended. If someone wants to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and do drugs and that does absolutely no harm to anyone, by all means, let him/her be. I have a problem when someone else's addiction gets in my way and forces me to experience the negative consequences of something I don't even approve of. Like I mentioned above, I believe any habit can be kicked with enough willpower and motivation.
@Richard: It's just that you seem more extroverted than us, while me and Silent are introverts. To me, clubbing is not a pleasurable activity, and I dislike partying in the typical sense of the word. I don't drink or smoke and I can relax just fine without any type of alcohol. I'd much rather go hiking, climbing or snowboarding with friends. Staying at one place and drinking really isn't my idea of fun. A gaming night is fine, any type of sports activity is fine, going to see movies or plays is fine, going to concerts is fine, chilling in parks is fine
I just don't get why alcohol needs to get involved. And it is known that some people really do drink to avoid their problems, but that is not the case most of the time. To me, alcohol is good for burning and some types are good disinfectants. As long as anyone is an addict without bothering anyone but him/herself, I have no issues with that.
P.S: This turned out a lot longer than I'd expect it to be. Contains an unusually high amount of curse words. Interesting topic, to say the least
Last edited by lordtiger; Dec 11, 2012 at 11:14 PM.
Reason: Minor edits and clarifications.