Understanding the Influence of Substances

Over the past year, I've spent many evenings under the effects of marijuana and alcohol. Initially, I didn’t perceive it as a problem, and truthfully, I still question that. However, the frequency had become excessive.

As a tour manager for a band, it wasn’t the travel that fueled my indulgence; rather, it was those quiet nights at home. When the stillness of the evening sets in, it's easy to seek something to liven the mood. Substances often make those moments more enjoyable, but I soon realized that this habit began to adversely impact my health and productivity.

In an effort to improve my well-being and physique, I’ve significantly reduced my alcohol consumption. In fact, I've had fewer than ten drinks in the last three weeks—not exactly a bragging point, but a considerable improvement compared to my previous habits.

What started as three drinks each night had become a routine. Whether at home or while traveling, I relied on something to cap off the evening. Combining edibles with a chilled drink created quite an appetite for late-night snacks. Before I knew it, I was approaching 260 pounds with 27 percent body fat. It wasn't a good situation.

Interestingly, I felt quite fit; I was lifting more weight than ever and leading an active lifestyle. I thought I was offsetting my poor habits, but the reality was quite different. My growing belly suggested otherwise, and my writing output was not meeting my expectations.

I usually write extensively during my time off the road, as I believe there's no better way to spend an evening than by diving into my laptop. During my five weeks off in February and March, I made significant strides on my upcoming book. Yet, I wasn't progressing as much as I had hoped. My focus often wandered, drifting far from the task at hand.

For a long time, I was under the impression that marijuana sparked my creativity. However, I’ve been writing since I was 13, long before I ever tried edibles at 25, and I accomplished plenty during those 12 years without any mind-altering substances.

While being high made food taste better and lifted the dull moments, it often led to fleeting ideas that didn’t translate into substantial work. It became a crutch, a way to fill emptiness, spice up mundane moments, and generate my next brilliant thought. Unfortunately, it often led my mind down a rabbit hole of distractions, exploring thoughts that ultimately offered little benefit—and contributed to my weight gain.

I am not completely abandoning marijuana or alcohol, but I’ve resolved to stop using them out of boredom. My focus now is on maintaining a clear mind—free from external influences—allowing me to concentrate on what truly matters.

Dylan Hughes is a 26-year-old freelance writer covering business, self-development, and his experiences as a tour manager. His writing can be found on Medium, and he has two books available on Amazon.