Your Teacher Smokes Pot, Your Dentist Snorts Coke
Friday, September 19th, 2008
We have all heard the stories about the stockbrokers on Wall Street who snort coke on their day off but they may not be the only professionals who have been experimenting with street drugs. Below is a list of nine American professions and the substance abuse stereotypes that come with them.
Lawyers
Drug of Choice: Crystal Meth
Between the 10 hour days, tight deadlines and round-the-clock availability to clients, some lawyers need more than a few cups of coffee to stay alert. Recent studies have shown an increase in illicit drug use among high-pressured lawyers and national drug-testing companies predict crystal meth to surpass cocaine as the illegal stimulant of choice.
Dentists
Drug of Choice: Cocaine
In the 19th century, dentists used cocaine as a local anesthetic. This history, along with the fact that dentists today have access to chemically similar drugs such as lidocaine and novocaine, has led to the stereotype that many dentists abuse cocaine.
Veterinarian
Drug of Choice: Special K
Similar to cocaine, Special K is the street name for ketamine, a drug commonly used in veterinary medicine. It is widely speculated that veterinary professionals use the drug for their own recreational use as well.
Pharmacists
Drug of Choice: Prescription Drugs
Present research has determined that some pharmacists are abusing the tools of their trade. Not only do they have easy access to prescription drugs but their technical knowledge about the risks of substance abuse makes them believe that they are immune to prescription drug addiction.
Teachers
Drug of Choice: Marijuana
Throughout the Internet, there have been anonymous blog postings stating that many teachers smoke pot. Several recent arrests of teachers for marijuana use – including reports where a teacher was smoking in the teacher’s lounge and a principal was caught growing pot plants – have only seemed to prove the bloggers right.
Pilots
Drug of Choice: Alcohol
Is your pilot flying high? Alcohol abuse among pilots has been a longtime concern of the FAA and the airline industry as a whole. Reports show that many pilots use alcohol as a way to cope with the job’s high stress and long hours.
Taxicab Drivers
Drug of Choice: Crack
Take a ride on the wild side. Rumors abound that many taxi cab and livery car drivers are addicted to crack.
Housewives
Drug of Choice: Crystal Meth
The new mother’s little helper? Addiction treatment centers around the country report an influx of patients who are housewives addicted to crystal meth. Many women start using the drug as a way to lose weight and deal with the everyday stresses of motherhood.
Drug Dealers
Drug of Choice: None
Drug dealers are businesspeople. By “getting high on their own supply” they’d be snorting, shooting or smoking away their profits.
