Drugs

It seems to me you are rather interested in the addiction aspect of drugs.

I can give you my perspective / my anecdotal experiences with cannabis.

I started smoking very early in school - around 14. My country has many smokers, statistically speaking, so it was not difficult to get even though not of legal age. Cool kids were smoking in the school yard and I ofc had to be one of them.

I believe I smoked my first joint with 15, 16 years. Those first experiences were magical (apart from the very first, which was mostly puking - I smoked a fat bong hit, heavens know why). I only consumed when around friends, in chilled nature settings, and it was a relaxing, social, very pleasant thing. This "honeymoon period" lasted maybe 2 - 3 years. All was good.

Then I started to not only consume in public settings, but also alone. And that was a big mistake. Suddenly all the negative aspects that regular marihuana consumption can have started to show. I became unmotivated to do anything else than "chill". I neglected my friends and my then-girlfriend.

Then my girlfriend gave me an ultimatum - her or the smokey goodness. I decided wrong and she rightfully left me. That's when I started to COMPENSATE lacking things with the drug. Going out? Why when I can chill and play some computergame at home? Touch grass? same thing. Meeting up with friends? Yeah, but only if I can smoke there.

I guess you see a trend here. I managed to somewhat regulate my consumption when in my mid-twenties, finished an education and started to work parttime. Since then it's been a constant "up and down", or, to be more realistic, a struggle. I've tried to kick the habit many times but always slipped back. I am currently in psychological treatment to give it another go, but complete absence even fucks with my physical condition (sleep issues, heavy sweats, nervousness, shakyness) after such a long time of consumption (I'm going on 40).

I've also tried mushrooms - very cool experience, can reccomend, but you really should have a comfortable setting with friendly faces around before you try it.

I've denied myself any other drug (I'd love to try cocain for example) since I just know myself and how fast I could get addicted. Except for Alcohol because its just socially accepted in my surroundings. But I dont really like the alcohol high.

I finally wanted to touch on the legalization of cannabis. I am pro legalisation even though I personally had, in the end, a not so good experience with it. It has countless good usage scenarious in medicine, and can also be a great recreational drug. It's just the dose that makes the poison.

I think it should be legal as long as ample education about its use, benefits and risk are available and actively taught to youths.

Well, that was longer than anticipated, but may give you an insight as to "what causes one to take drugs". And to answer your second question OP: Yes, I would leave it if i could. I hope I'll sometime be able to.