How to Say No to Drugs (Even When You're Unzipped)

Categories: Duff McKagan

duff004.jpg
Duff McKagan is the founding bassist of Guns N' Roses and the leader of Seattle's Loaded. His column runs every Thursday on Reverb.
Don't get me wrong, I think it's actually a genuinely sweet offer when someone passes a joint to me. "I don't smoke weed," I say. I know the intent is probably good, so I never want to be the guy who passes judgment or otherwise looks at that situation with scornful disdain.

*See Also: The Rock-and-Roll Lifestyle: Single Moms, Students, and Upton Sinclair

Drugs are a funny thing. No one really wants to get high alone--when they are still in the "casual use" stage, anyway. Rarely will you hear of someone doing bumps of cocaine, or hits of crystal meth on their own. There'd be no one to jabber and talk mad nonsense with.

Rock and roll definitely has the stereotype of being connected to drug use. I get it. The cliche has been earned. But in our modern era, it seems like drugs have finally lost the status of being a mystical and romantic part of the rock persona. Maybe we've seen too many people implode, with public meltdowns, and worst of all, death.

OK, but wait, this isn't supposed to be a poignant and down column. No. Actually, something happened to me just this week--twice, actually!--that I always find pretty damn funny. If it happened to me twice this week alone, I must assume that we can extrapolate this occurrence to a certain degree.

I played three shows this week (well, I am actually on my way to the third right now, but our car broke down in the desert. But, yada, yada, yada, that's a story for another column). One of the gigs was a musical-esque version of the book that I wrote about my dive into addiction and my way out. By now, it's a pretty well-known story, I think. If you are buying a ticket to this particular show, it's a fair assumption that you probably know I don't do drugs. Right? Apparently not.

There are always those people who just love to go to different gigs to "hang out" and maybe party a little bit. That's cool, too. But when these two things meet, here is what happens:


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phillips.alan 5 pts

Well you could have just taken a cutting from the "oldies" pot plant....LOL 

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4580014/Pensioners-accidentally-grow-giant-cannabis-plant-in-their-back-garden.html

 

Not quite the drugs you had in mind, but I still have pals who offer me ciggies despite quitting in 1998. They always say, just in case, wouldn't want to leave you out! Cheers mate,

 

 

tommyblackburnKY 6 pts

Duff- Just got a chance to read-Funny Stuff. I never thought about being free with your drugs could relate to a growing economy but has some good logic.  By the way, always thought it would have been funny to have had a video of myself while in the jabber talking stage but would have made me paranoid at the end:) Did decide to write some life changing thoughts down while high on acid-when I sobered up was just crazy shit-so oh well. Take care-Tommy Blackburn

c.jessicasilveira 5 pts

Happy to hear that you're still firm with that! It's hard to be where you are away from it all. So  I admire you more than before.

kimrn21 6 pts

So cool that Slash, Steven & yourself are sober! You all are playing better than ever! I know its been a long haul, and I'm sure you would agree that its been totally work it! ROCK ON!!!

barbi.rink 5 pts

Thanks for this, really needed to smile after tough and tiring business week. Just love the way you write, can imagine how everything happened :D. Hope to see your show someday in central Europe.

80sWereBetter 5 pts

A lot of people lose their sense of humor when they gain their sobriety. Glad to see you haven't lost a thing Duff ! Drunk, high, sober or otherwise, you are always good for a laugh and still out there making music. Yeah ! =D !

AxelAremyr 5 pts

Haha, absolutely LOVE the ending! :D Thank you for writing these columns, it's greatly appreciated :)/Axel, from the land where polar bears walks on the streets and Refused have their home. 

ajberinger 5 pts

I'm impressed that you don't even smoke weed. I know you wouldn't drink after what happened to you. Do you smoke cigarettes? I hope not. Congratulations on your sobriety!

 

I am going vegan and just learned that cheese is so addictive because it has opiates in it to bond a calf to his mother. I actually have never done any rec drugs, never even smoked a joint or been drunk and I don't care. The only thing that sounds interesting to me at all is hallucinagenics, so maybe someday I will do those. I do like coffee but I have given that up and sugar is a struggle.

SylwiaGolak 9 pts

LMFAO!

Funny, funny column you wrote today, Duff!!! You know what are my thoughts on your story? Funny - yes, but also that proves such "toilet actions" are not so out of date, mystic & romantic followers of that kind of rock'n'roll cliche they DO exist!  Even if such stories are happening to our beloved columnist who EVERYONE knows is clean&sober; now :) To me it was act of sweet! (considering that you turned him down for obvious reasons)

 

SylwiaGolak 9 pts

I just don't get how you manage to switch the subject from "men's room accident" to presidential debate.... No clue!!! ;)

ebramowi1 6 pts

LOL Duff, that line "Your columnist gets offered a bump of cocaine right there--dick in hand and everything!" seriously made me laugh out loud!  Good stuff.

 

Great Article, and thanks for keeping it real and yourself sober, much better to have you alive and present than 6 feet under.

 

Keep Rockin pal!!

unserspanisharabians 5 pts

www.GaryJohnson2012.com/issues

 

Troops out of Afghanistan NOW. 

A balanced budget in 2013.. not 2024.

Abolish the IRS, institute a fair tax/consumptive tax. 

Abolish the DOE.. government needs to leave education to the states. 

Legalize Marijuana/Decriminalize drugs.. look at Portugal's results, drug use went down massively, clears out the court system drastically. End the Drug Wars.

And much, much more.

 

He was a brilliant two term Governor in New Mexico, took us from a billion dollar deficit to a billion dollar surplus while lowering taxes 14 times, vetoed unnecessary legislation 750 times, more than all the other governors combined, NM was one of only four states to have a balanced budget. One of the most fiscally aware people I know who tackles problems with basic common sense.

 

He's as far from a polished, career politician as you can get. He just gets the job done and abides by the constitution and the bill of rights. 

 

Unfortunately, the two party duopoly has fought tooth and nail to keep him out of the msm, out of the debates and off of the ballots although he fought back and is currently on in 48 states. 

 

I think you'd like him Duff. 

 

Schanen

_Tor_ 5 pts

 unserspanisharabiansSomeone labeled "the original Tea Party candidate" sounds like the wrong choice to me. Just as bad as Romney this one. If it comes a candidate who can compete the two dominant parties, let's hope it's not just another liberalist....Dig to the left ;)

 

Anyway. Funny column this week. 

 

 

leeannmarie73 9 pts

Good Column again, Duff. All I have to say is that drugs once had their place in my life, but not anymore. My priorities changed as I grew up. Raisin 2 boys into men, and a teenage girl into a respectable young woman are the focus. My mind can't be clouded. No time for the selfishness of doing drugs. It's a shame some people never learn this.  Have a great day!

 

Leeann Davidson

evan_nglsh 5 pts

I agree to a certain extent.  I must admit that if I had your money duff it would be hard to not find the hook-up.  I give it to you for staying sober, especially after playing with Steven Adler and Axl Rose for so many years.  ROCK ROCK!

AxlReznor 14 pts

I like that jabbering and talking mad nonsense for me is perfectly achievable whilst stone-cold sober. I find it hard to believe that there are people out there who know who you are and seem to think that you still do drugs. That's insane. All they have to do is listen to pretty much any song you've written the lyrics for since leaving Guns N' Roses. Read pretty much any interview since the mid-90's. And of course read the book that you're there for. Let's just say you do like to talk about nearly dying a hell of a lot. ;-) I hope people would have at least expected you to wash your hands before partaking, by the way. Drugs or no drugs, I wouldn't wanna be partying with someone whose hands smell of cock and urine.

dmckagan 10 pts

 AxlReznor  I agree on that hand-cock-urine thing. i mean...JEEZ!

SylwiaGolak 9 pts

 dmckagan  AxlReznor

 Duh!!!!

marjolein.orange 5 pts

 dmckagan  AxlReznor Hahaha funny!  

 Some freak just released the coke from his/her bowel.... and you have to wash your HANDS before snorting it??? Let's say THANKS:)

tommyblackburnKY 6 pts

 AxlReznor  Hey a while back we had a discussion on here about Izzy and the RRHOF. Just wanted to tell you Im sorry for my comment.  I know we dont know each other but thats not how I roll.  I do enjoy your comments-Sorry for being and A-hole.  Tommy Blackburn

Conversation from Twitter

jeh_silveira_91
jeh_silveira_91

@DuffMcKagan @swreverb Excellent question!

skinnyguinea2
skinnyguinea2

@DuffMcKagan That's a shame that U still have people offering U drugs.Hard 4 an addict 2 refuse when it's pushed in ur face.URStrong!!

archieGNRe
archieGNRe

@DuffMcKagan @swreverb tweeting link to a few pals

HathorUnlimited
HathorUnlimited

@DuffMcKagan @swreverb Great article Duff! Thanks for the read.

JayM5683
JayM5683

@DuffMcKagan @swreverb Things that make you wonder about people!

AlvinMack9
AlvinMack9

@DuffMcKagan Duff! You are such a good writer. I heard your interview on Rome and I failed to buy your book. Not this time brother!

Aragornthebadja
Aragornthebadja

@DuffMcKagan @swreverb good read duff man... Rock on!

masterpuppet03
masterpuppet03

@DuffMcKagan read your book which was Great now I see this writing and I will say I will follow it very good!

c_isabel37
c_isabel37

@DuffMcKagan @swreverb GOOD ARTICLE DUFF!!!

c_isabel37
c_isabel37

@DuffMcKagan @swreverb GREAT ARTICLE DUFF!!!

JaviCantStop
JaviCantStop

@DuffMcKagan @swreverb I had no idea The Viper Room had a communal restroom.

Axlleandro
Axlleandro

@duffmckagan follow me please. I'm from Brazil, i see you in That Metal Show so cool. Follow me Please?

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Peacecaeq Projexam
Peacecaeq Projexam

night life needs medicines

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