If I wanted to extend my life span to the maximum here is what I would do: I would have myself locked in a padded cell so it would be impossible for me to be injured by anyone or to injure myself. I would eat a perfectly balanced diet with no meat or sugar or anything else that tasted good. No drugs or alcohol or other fun stuff either. I would have to be in a padded cell because I would be so frigging miserable and bored that I would definitely kill myself given the choice.
Instead of choosing to merely maximize my life span I have chosen a harm reduction approach to all aspects of my life. I quit the cigarettes because they are too likely to kill me and give no real pay-off, but I still allow myself a cigar a week if I want it–no inhaling. I get intoxicated on alcohol twice a week but do it safely at home and I abstain on work nights so that it does not interfere with my life. I eat a lot of pork fat but my doctor says my cholesterol is good. I abstain from TV because it is too addictive for me and it wastes my time too much.
I have never done any illicit drugs but marijuana–but it started making me depressed so I gave it up decades ago.
Mostly I enjoy myself in a reasonable manner and have fun with life–that is why I choose harm reduction.
Copyright © 2008, The HAMS Harm Reduction Network
Tags: Alcohol, alcohol harm reduction, drug use, hams harm reduction network, harm reduction
