If you've never been an addict, you may be surprised to know many programmers (and other people in tech job roles) struggle with drug use.

Nobody working in tech is a stranger to stress and pressure!

But sometimes the ways we cope are unhealthy.

If you're currently using, I've been honest and transparent with you I've been there. I was a marijuana addict for 25 years, and often used it with the rationale that it helped me manage the stress of my job.

However, I learned the hard way that using drugs to cope with work creates more problems than it solves.

In this episode, I'd like to help you understand WHY drug use is so prevalent in the tech industry.

I'll also share the consequences to your career that arise from ongoing use of drugs.

And finally, I'll offer some healthier ways to cope with the inherent problems that programming and tech related jobs introduce rather than turning to drugs as a coping mechanism.

I hope this helps you have some compassion for your coworkers who may be trapped in addiction, do what you can to improve the conditions we all work in, and if you're currently struggling get help so you can flourish in your career!

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CHAPTER MARKERS

0:00 Introduction
1:12 Three Stories of Drug Use in Tech
5:32 1. Why Do Programmers Use Drugs?
5:36 1.1 Attempt To Inspire Creativity
7:27 1.2 High Stress and Pressure
11:09 1.3 Isolation and Lack of Social Support
13:36 1.4 Normalizing Culture
14:57 1.5 Burnout and Mental Disorders
17:01 2. How Drugs Make Work Harder
17:08 2.1 Impaired Cognitive Function
19:23 2.2 Damage Mental and Physical Health
21:50 2.3 Legal and Ethical Consequences
24:21 3.1 Supportive Community
26:53 3.2 Adopt Prayer or Mindfulness
30:23 3.3 Better Nutrition and Exercise
34:11 Episode Groove

#programming #addiction #techculture