Are all drug addicts usually abusive physically?

Many times when we hear about violence these days, the media likes to make it appear that it's a drug orientated incident most of the time. They'll say things like "at the time, the person had so and so in their system". I've never seen it first hand or anything, but at the same time I can't say I have much experience in the matter. But I doubt all drug users are abusive. And surely not the way the general media likes to make it seem.

Not necessarily. People on drugs can't control themselves; it is the drugs which control them. Before they got into drugs/when they are not on drugs they may be one of the calmest and most down to earth people. The type of drugs they are addicted to also play a role on their behavior; if they are into relatively harmless drugs like marijuana then I doubt they are physically abusive at all; they still have some control over their actions.

Absolutely not! Drugs can have that effect on some individuals, especially addicts. Some causes to violence could be because an addiction, but there are also many, many different factors that could lead to that. Drug users can also become the exact opposite of that, with feelings of depression and hopelessness, or feel paranoid and shut people out. Many drug users live 'normal' lives, and sometimes it is nearly impossible to tell that they in fact are drug users. But to answer in short, no, definitely, DEFINITELY, not.

Well, I wasn't a really violent addict... but the thing about drugs is that you stop being the person you are when sober and turn into something very different. Add that and being too young to know better and you got a bomb ready to explode any moment. I know because I saw it happen. I did get angry when I didn't get what I wanted, but I never harmed anyone.

Of course I lived a big part of that time in the streets... so I was definitely exposed to some really hardcore addicts. I saw many awful and scary things as well. I'd not give any of those folks a reason to get mad at me, specially when they are desperate for a fix. Just don't! I've seen some really scary addicts in the past.

Of course it varies from drugs to drugs, some drugs don't have such a strong effect on your personality. But some do... and some people tend to do things they'd not while sober. I think this topic is really complex and polemic... there is no simple answer.

They are normal people like me and you, but when under the influence its possible that someone can make bad decisions as it is on everyday basis. One of my best friends was a drug addict and he is one of the most genuinely nicest people i have ever met. So the answer to the question is that it is possible, but not certain that they could be physically abusive. I'm not saying that they all are not capable of being abusive, but it depends on the person.

I think some of them could prove to be violent, but not really any more than in the number of people who take legal substances. People not under the influence could just very well be as violent and it's not only drugs that do this anyway, as even casual drinkers who mean no harm also sometimes make the poor decision of driving drunk and they end up doing something violent.

Depends on the drug someone abuses.

Drugs which can make someone aggressive:

- Cocaine.
- Meth.
- Bath Salts.
- Ecstasy.
- Flakka.

Alcohol, weed and heroine may or may not make some aggressive and by extension, violent.

I don't think it's something that people can say about all addicts. I think it may just appear that way because it makes the news. If an addict overdosed at home, went to sleep and woke up the next day, nobody would hear about that.

It can certainly happen, but not in all cases and it is quite disingenuous of the media to portray violent crimes as usually being drug-related. Correlation does not imply causation. It varies from person to person, and from drug to drug. And some people don’t need drugs to become violent.

Drugs can make a person violent, but I wouldn't say that all drug users are violent. Drugs can bring out deep seated rage, though, things people keep quiet and buried but that the drug might dig out. Some of that stuff is like an exposed nerve when it's aired, too, and any small thing rubs it wrong and sets them off.

But there are plenty of people out there who don't get violent when they're intoxicated or high.

I know a guy who gets really calm after drinking a couple of shots. It may sound strange but its true. I think every person has an alter ego post addiction. It may or may not clash with the real person's personality. However there are some drugs which are bound to make you violent.

For alcohol, it depends on the person and the occasion. My grandfather as a rule got mean when he drank. My boyfriend had a few moments when he got out of control violent when drunk -- usually he just got sort of immature and sensitive. Stimulants will probably push people more though.

Every guy is immature and sensitive, deep down. Nobody's bullet proof and alcohol can be a really introspective drug. As for mean drunks, I can't really comment on that as I've seen people get mean on a couple beers and turn into your best friend after a few shots, same guy, same night.

Hahhaa. I don't know, I don't know. I think that immaturity is a vague concept because it seems to be everything that goes a bit out of the common accepted way of being "responsible" in society. And I think many things that we consider normal these days would be seen as very immature a century ago (or in the next century!). So I think it's just a tendency we have to not want to be controlled by what we ought to do all the time.

I prefer drunks who are predictable, to be honest. I mean -- I have friends who are great fun when they drink, and then they crash down and cry. It's not really a great party mood, but at least it's reliable. Same for my grandpa -- we knew when to avoid him. *sigh*

No is my answer to the thread title. I have known several addicts who are meek and mild when it comes to facing people. It's not about their personality but maybe a side effect of their addiction. They are aloof and sometimes even avoid people. But mind you, they steal when you are not looking, huh.

No, definitely not. It can be something that manifests during addiction, but it isn't always the case. I've known people who were addicted and they mostly internalized their pain and anguish. Perhaps if anything, they were abusive towards themselves, but from what I saw they never took it out on others (and certainly not at me)

No, not all addicts are physically harmful. I still believe that an addict is an addict but not all addict will hurt someone physically.

Yeah, everyone reacts differently. In my experience, the sad drunks are the ones who are afraid to or can't show their emotions (or at least feel that way, even if it's not true) and when you throw alcohol in the mix, it just overwhelms them. I can't say that's how it goes for everyone, but that's just my take.

The angry drunks I can't even begin to describe, because I've seen the coolest, calmest people turn violent for nearly no real reason, and others who just bottle up the anger so long that a bottle opener is all it takes to let it loose.

It's difficult to say that whether or not a violent behavior is attributed to drugs. I suppose, it's mostly a personality trait or one that constitutional. However, the drug-related violent behavior can't be ruled out, as the power of discretion is severely hampered under the impact of a drug. A drug addict can also behave violently due to drug dependence.

Exactly, and that's why I'm hesitant to say that drugs and violence are tied together. There are plenty examples of well-adjusted drug users out there with no unstable personalities. It's the vocal/violent minority that get the attention, though, and the best I can offer anyone is personal speculation. I'm no psychologist, though, so take anything I say with a grain of salt.