kiki5711

I know only one person. My uncle. He's in his late 70s. When he was young he was a wrestler then worked in some trucking company (I think) his whole life till he retired. His wife (my aunt/now deceased), wonderful, funny, outgoing person, died about a year ago from cancer.

My uncle, I believe will outlive most of my family. He goes to gym every day, then hangs out with his friends in a caffee, (relaxing and socializing a bit) then goes home and takes care of his dogs. He lives on a Huge property all by himself. They never had any kids so he has no kid worry and his dogs are his life. He's been out of the state of Wisconsin maybe "TWICE" in his life. He's healthy and has little or no stress in life.

My father (his brother) was a total opposite. Very social, was a musician when young, played several instruments, guitar, harmonica, accordian, mandolin, organ, loved to party and sing and drink with friends, was not an alcoholic never ever mean and always took care of his family. He had friends all across the globe who would do anything for him as he was like that himself.

My father died at 62 from heart desease, he was a heavy smoker. That's one thing he would never give up. His cigarettes. My mother on the other hand never had a drink in her life, but did smoke, and was not a social person. She outlived him by 12 yrs.

I don't know what is my point with this. I guess I was just thinking about life and how it is a combination of journies till it ends.

One thing I learned from my father is to be independent and I always have been. I think growing up in Croatia where independence is expected early in life, is what helped me as well. I am trying so hard to instill that in my kids. It seems an enormeous task though. I wondered why.

glitter

Not counting all the people I've met in recovery, I think I know more people who don't drink/never used than people who do.

thatfeel

Yeah they're always rather boring.

EDIT: I take that back. My sister is awesome. I think she's the only one though.

She'll probably try some s*** while she's in college though. To make it through High School is pretty impressive regardless.

yeahgr8

I've met tonnes of people who haven't abused alcohol or drugs...in fact i know they make up the vast majority:-)

kiki5711

I didn't mean people who "abused" alcohol or drugs.

Onewithwings

I am LDS, so yes, I know plenty, I even know people who, in addition to no drugs and alcohol, have never had a cigarette or a cup of coffee!

That's not to say that is always the case. Pretty sure the majority of members have done at least one of these things, but there are people who were raised in the church who follow the words of wisdom very closely.

sailorjohn

Yeah, I have met one person that claimed they never touched a drop of alcohol or used drugs, considering the person's age quite remarkable, he's 30 IIRC.

But, he's one of the most codependent people I've ever met, someone I could compare myself favorably to.

His current gf, picked up a one year token AND gave the open talk at the meeting.

I didn't know her story that well at the time, had no idea she was drinking all along, never really stopped. Her bf-the never used/drank-didn't attend the open talk.

I guess if I got out more I'd probably meet more of those 'virgins' but there are probably quite a few over here.

kiki5711

When I was in the church, that is where I found more people secretly drinking than anywhere else.

kiki5711

By the way my husband has never been a drinker until he met me. But then he is the type that can have one glass forever. He never smoked cigarettes nor have tried any type of substance either.

I'm very happy with him. Glad he's the opposite of me.

tbeit

My wife has NEVER touched anything her father was a horrible drunk and gambler when she was young.She's 51 yo happy healthy and my biggest supporter.I hope my 13 yo son follows her path and not mine.Addiction is on both sides of our family so we will be watching and talking intenedly

TheReader

No - my maternal side of the family lived in a home in the 30s/40s with an alcoholic Father and were afraid to take that first drink, but even my deceased Grandmother (his spouse) took a dose of peach brandy now and again for medicinal purposes. My Mother and Aunt who grew up in this environment never drank, but due to surgeries/dental procedures took an occassional pain pill.
I think it is is rare that a person who lives a full life (up to 80) will never have a surgery or some instance where legal drugs are not prescribed. In today's world, that is almost impossible.

Onewithwings

My husband had a beer the other day. He's LDS and a normie. It's his decision. Yes, a lot of the church members do not follow the words of wisdom at all, and some don't follow certain ones. Same for the laws of Chastity (modest dress, no porn, no sex outside of marriage, no piercings or tattoos.) A lot of the young adult members have not tried drugs or alcohol. I am guessing it's more of a 'YET' thing, as most of the older members say they have done it. I believe those that tell me they have not done it, though-- they know my history and have no reason to lie to me.

40Thieves

My dad drank one beer and smoked one cigarette in the Navy in WWII, and that is it. My mom has never drank or used a drug. That seems to have died with their generation. I don't know of any contemporaries who have never imbibed, being a child of the 60's.

thequest

I might have abused alcohol on occassion but I can proudly say I have never even tried illegal drugs. I've always reacted to or feared consequence along with not believing in them.

There were several guys in the military that I never saw drinking so much as a beer but what their history is is another story(alot of judges offer military service as an option to minor offenses about to turn big). I've observed family and friends using alcohol only. I'd like say parents never used drugs but since they were younger adults during the hippie 60s 70s you never know(same for most). Maybe the grandparents never did drugs.

kiki5711

That's me too. I did not know ONE person who didn't do some kind of drugs. Not at work, not from school, not anywhere. Not in the richer community, not in the poorer community. It was everywhere. In fact, I use to be amazed how much more control of it I had comparing to some other people who were wealthier, more educated, with high paying carrers, but here I was 16 yrs old, not even HS graduation, don't even speak English well, no money, yet I knew I was looking for a better direction in life, and yet they seemed stuck.

Gmoney

Yep...I know plenty of folks that never used a drink or drug. My ex-fiance' is one and I've known her 35 yrs.

thequest

It's kind of an open ended question 'have you ever known anyone who NEVER drank or used drugs' simply because most only know what happens before their own eyes. You're taking someone's word which is quite feasable but... . I can attest to what people have told me or the behaviors I have observed. I can atest to somone's lifestyle in front of me. So from that stand point I have known people who never have done drugs or alcohol.

Does 'use' mean abuse or tried once? To me experimentation is use. If you tried it once you tried it once-if you had a sip of beer you tried it. If you had a FULL mug of beer after you had that first sip you used alcohol.

I personally avoid people who actively want to do drugs. If your an ex addict or in recovery I don't care but if want to actively do this crap I want no parts of you or it. Not thrilled with alkies either the only difference being they tend to get their drug legally.