MovieChat Forums > Philip Seymour Hoffman Discussion > Choosing to do heroin...

Choosing to do heroin...

posted 11 years ago by LaZboyfriend
9 replies | jump to latest

I'm trying to understand the psychology behind anyone -- not just Philip Seymour Hoffman -- trying heroin for the first time.

I've never touched a drug in my life, but even I understand how addictive heroin is. So what I'm trying to understand is how a person can choose to do heroin for the first time knowing this fact.

Is there a, "Sure, other people get addicted to it, but it won't happen to me!" mentality behind that first time? If so, there's a real narcissism in that.

Is there a, "I'll cross that bridge when I get to it." mentality (regarding the likelihood of addiction)? If so, that's a short-sighted, live-for-the-moment mentality that's careless and immature.

Is there a, "Who cares what may happen? I hate life anyway." mentality? If so, that's obviously rooted in depression.

I really want to understand how someone can willingly elect to go down such a destructive path. There seems to be no logic in doing heroin for the first time.

Room for one more, honey.

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[–] haze58 11 years ago

Most people do drugs to escape their life.

I don't think anyone begins with heroin, they work up to it.

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[–] LaZboyfriend 11 years ago

I agree no one begins with heroin -- but what I'm saying is that it's a huge step to take it the first time, knowing what a hardcore and addicting drug it is.

I'm just trying to understand why a person when presented with an opportunity to take heroin says, "Sure. Why not?"

Room for one more, honey.

[–] jnorgle 11 years ago

I can imagine what would happen if I had heroin in front of me. It wouldn't matter all the stories, all the literature I'd read. I'd just be curious.

Pretend something pithy is here.
http://i39.tinypic.com/2s8mluo.jpg

[–] Torrible_2013 11 years ago

Here's what will happen. The first time you use it, you'll have an experience like never before -- the perfect euphoria/happiness. Each subsequent time, your euphoria would be less and less. If you're like most addicts, you'll end up chasing that 'perfection' to the point of having your mind altered to persistently crave that substance. Does that sate your curiosity? Or would you still be curious because you haven't actually personally experienced that for yourself? Curious enough to risk being addicted?

What the OP is asking: why would someone think it is worth risking it all -- his life, his sanity, his dignity, his career, his loved ones and all his other goals in life -- just for this one moment of artificially perfect happiness? Is so, what the hell is wrong with that person?

[–] rascal67 11 years ago

Most people do drugs to escape their life.
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What life did PSH want to escape from? On the surface, he had more than most.