11 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Their mistake was making it a lifestyle instead of simply a hobby.  And not choosing wisely, fun vs addictive substance.   That includes alcohol, and one of the worse.

 

Some people have highly addictive tendencies, either with drugs or alcohol.

and not able to consume casually.

Might be partly genetic. not sure.

 

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Their mistake was making it a lifestyle instead of simply a hobby.  And not choosing wisely, fun vs addictive substance.   That includes alcohol, and one of the worse.

And how about having fun of a lifestyle hobby of burning plastic bags without wearing an oxygen mask and tank?

On 7/30/2025 at 9:50 AM, swissie said:

Alcohol= unhealthy. Smoking= unhealthy. Eating foods that taste good= unhealthy. Drugs (to temporary escape a crude and unforgiving world)= unhealthy. Too much sex= unhealthy (VD plus increased "personel problems)".

 

This is your total list of what's fun?

9 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

I must be the healthiest person on here....no frikin fun to be had in Isaan.

Then why live in Isaan?

19 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Don't know about my 'spiritual poverty', but I quite enjoy my sex, drugs and R&R, along with all the other stupid sh!t I did, that I somehow survived.  Builds character, and I've told, 'I'm quite the character' 

Have fun🤩

8 minutes ago, TedG said:

Then why live in Isaan?

P***y whipped

'Fun' is a fleeting, mind-based thing that is never satisfied. Bet few here know what real joy is...

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

 

Some people have highly addictive tendencies, either with drugs or alcohol.

and not able to consume casually.

Might be partly genetic. not sure.

 

Not buying the excuses ... live with 'your' choices.  My parents were alkys & chain smoker, and myself & brothers aren't.   I grew up surrounded by people making bad choices, and kept a level head about me.

 

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Have fun🤩

 

All days past, when my body could take the abuse.  Been a good little boy for past 15 ish years, and rarely indulge in alcohol, especially last 10 years.  Can't remember last time I had a beer.

2 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

'Fun' is a fleeting, mind-based thing that is never satisfied. Bet few here know what real joy is...

I'm waiting for you to tell us? 

 

I used to have what we once thought was fun, but got bored of it, same as everything else people ideally do for fun. 

 

Fun sex is more routine now, so nothing more to explore there, drugs and parties the same, travelling as well, sports hobbies and work, not much more to explore really, but the same old good routines and healthy habits keeps me happy and pleased for now.

 

Once, Monthly Python was hilarious, and the same Saturday night show, but not anymore, now you just put on the news, and it is not comedy anymore, it is reality show 24/7

27 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I'm waiting for you to tell us? 

 

I used to have what we once thought was fun, but got bored of it, same as everything else people ideally do for fun. 

 

Fun sex is more routine now, so nothing more to explore there, drugs and parties the same, travelling as well, sports hobbies and work, not much more to explore really, but the same old good routines and healthy habits keeps me happy and pleased for now.

 

Once, Monthly Python was hilarious, and the same Saturday night show, but not anymore, now you just put on the news, and it is not comedy anymore, it is reality show 24/7

This was kind of fun, 

 

but we all know it is the reality of whats going on, so,,,,, 

 

https://www.facebook.com/reel/764556006056264?fs=e&fs=e

 

4 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Who's who?

 

Who made who. 

14 hours ago, Tazmo said:

 I changed my social life and drastically reduced time with friends who had “ fun” in a different way.

 

 

I think this is the hardest part. Can you explain how you changed your social life. How did you find new social things to do?

7 hours ago, blaze master said:

 

Who made who. 

????😳

13 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

????😳

Who made who...ain't nobody told you.  

 

Yeaaaaaaaaa who made who.

It's all about balance. I ride a bike/eat healthy 6 days a week, teach 4 mornings a week, and have a "cheat" day on Saturday, though I have to admit cheating nowadays means little more than eating off the healthy menu. Me and booze parted ways on a regular basis a few years back. I drink 2-3 times a year just to remind me why I don't. My physical came back 100% positive health (for an old git).

 

Find what works to build up a "savings" account that allows you to spend time on the naughty side.

14 hours ago, TedG said:

Then why live in Isaan?

 

Long story.

View those things as lack of restraint and control (not fun) and you have your answer.

sidjameson, I hear what you say and it’s a very relevant question.

 

It was a huge challenge but several factors aided me :

 

First and foremost I had worked in Addiction ( Rehab) for a few years. So I learned a great deal about factors that contribute and saw at first hand how people suffered to rehabilitate but many persevere and succeeded.

 

The first is if you have a partner who is not an addict, but they still need to attend lectures about addiction and the addict behavior. A lack of understanding can lead to the partner not being able to help the person change, but worsen it.

 

In my case I have a partner who doesn’t use alcohol nor other substances, she also doesn’t like bars.  So this is a big bonus. Instead we go to Cafes, restaurants in nice relaxing settings in a rural area. There is less temptation.

 

Science reveals a low level of dopamine in addicts. Hence being unable to stop.

However in Rehab they are introduced to various forms of activities. Exercising for instance have a therapeutic effect on dopamine levels. Some take up yoga, meditation, caring for pets ; doing community type activities that are rewarding. Addicts have a tendency to be selfish, not able to give to others, they get absorbed into themselves with their addiction.

 

 I was actively involved in sports, but gave it up as it was heavily linked to alcohol. Although I was not forced to drink and they were many Muslim players who did not drink. But the temptation was too much. In addition my health conditions needed to slow me down somewhat, so this also helped.

Instead I took up other activities that I liked, cycling; walking ; traveling, shopping at markets and cooking.

 

 I also did online courses on “ Inner Engineering “ to gain insight into my behaviors  and how to control and deal with the challenges. This included aspects of the Mind, body and soul.

It helped me to take control of my thoughts and triggers that I would have responded to spontaneously in the past. I looked at the benefits of not indulging in antisocial behaviors and felt better day by day. Often I would use distraction as a means of not succumbing to impulses.

Some of our behaviors are impulsive, learnt. It takes time to unlearning certain patterns, eg not turning to a cold beer because you had a busy day or because you are bored. Choose alternatives, be determined and don’t give in to your whims. Using your “ higher power “, the mind tells you a lot of things, but the intellect is able to discriminate with practice. 
That’s what makes us different from animals ( other beings), we are human because of our intellect. Of course some animals are intelligent and can be trained to perform certain special tasks.

 

It would help to read up on addiction and do research on subjects that would help you know your true self better. You will need a supportive environment and a social circle of like minded people. Not difficult to find once you focus on interests that are not drug related.

 

Hope this gives you some idea. It’s a lot to do with motivation for change, eg some people may change their lifestyle after a major illness. But prevention is about getting there before!

On 7/30/2025 at 2:50 PM, swissie said:

Amazing: Everything that is associated with "fun/increased happyness" is "unhealthy".

 

Alcohol= unhealthy. Smoking= unhealthy. Eating foods that taste good= unhealthy. Drugs (to temporary escape a crude and unforgiving world)= unhealthy. Too much sex= unhealthy (VD plus increased "personel problems)".

 

Within this context, I am wondering how much longer people live, staying away from those unhealthy "feel good" temptations during their lifetime?

 

Any studies concerning this matter? Preferrably from reputable universities, not "Facebook Findings" if possible.

 

Plenty of ways to enjoy things in life...healthy food can be tasty. 

Sex can be low risk with partners with low previous partners/no STDs/STD testing of others especially outside sex worker/high traffic dating app chicks.

Exotic travel, exciting sports/hobbies.

 

OP has selective tunnel vision on the 'good' that can be had.