/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ following on from Robin
I was a child of the Acid House movement, and I have to say it was the best period of my life until now. I am currently happier than I've ever been, and it's no coincidence that I am completely clean and sober.
That period of my life was incredible, I went to clubs like Shoom, Crazy Club, The Milk Bar, Love Ranch, Kinky Disco, Boy's Own & Flying. I saw members of West Ham's notorious ICF loved up on Ecstacy and hugging and dancing with Chelsea and Millwall boys. 2 years previously these people would have been knifing, glassing and even shooting each other. The feeling of being on clean, pure ecstacy is one of complete love for everyone you come across, and any touch sensations sent rushes through your body making you feel like you were having a multiple orgasm! In the summer of 1991 I became involved with a group who organised illegal outdoor raves. We'd go out into the Southern countryside and find a suitable venue miles away from anyone, and then go to Abracadabra in Whitton near Twickenham and rent a sound system. It was hilarious as we filled a Transit and our XR2's, metro's, 205 GTi's and various bangers with equipment. Flyers were handed out in the Hand & Spear, Weybridge, and my friend Brett would lead a convoy in his Yellow Datsun Sunny 'coupe' to the 'secret' venue!
We did 15 parties that year, got arrested three times, but the Police always used to say we were a refreshing group as none of us were drunk, fighting, or committing crimes. All we did was hold a free party for like-minded souls in the beautiful English countryside. I'll never forget a 50-something copper dancing to Rythym is Rythym, 'Strings of Life', and commenting on what a brilliant track it was!!! We took a bucket round asking for donations to help us cover the cost of hire and petrol for the generator, and it usually paid for our night as well. Some highlights were the party on Climping Beach when the Coastgaurd asked us to turn off the laser because it was interfering with the shipping! The police got heavy at 2 or 3 do's, we made the mistake 1 time of going back to Horsley Woods a second time, and the Surrey Riot Police surrounded us and did a proper crowd clearance at 4am, which was quite frightening! We also made the mistake of doing one on Forestry Commission land near Yateley, which resulted in me and 3 others in Aldershot Magistrates Court and a 1400 pound fine, but other than that it was a fantastic summer that I'll never forget.
Nonetheless, as far as alcohol is concerned, it's never really worked for me. I don't like the way I behave on it, and I hate the loss of control. I am proud of the self-honesty I have in acknowledging this, and the decision I made to remove it from my life. My life is wonderful without it, and I am much better equipped to deal with life's problems and enjoy life's joys in it's absence.
We are all druggies in some way! I studied addiction in some depth at Uni when I read psychology in the Noughties. The dopaminergic reward pathways in the brain are responsible for the 'high' we experience when triggered by cues relating to the things we like, whether it's food, driving, drugs, drinking, gambling, sex, whatever. We see something that reminds of our personal fix, and we experience a dopamine hit. Then when we actually have that fix we get another 'hit'! With Cocaine, if we didn't have Dopamine, it would be as effective as snorting flour! (Why this is the case is fascinating!)
Anyway, I get everything I need in terms of excitement nowadays from cricket, driving, this forum and the whole VAG thing, sex, eating delicious food and enjoying the wonderful British countryside.