[exprA]

You'd think you should be more confused about how alcohol is as accepted as it is.

I feel more pity for the way people still want to impose control over other folks life – and quietly dream of the day more people accepted that substance abuse is the problem, not the substances themselves (and gave more room for personal responsibility and different choices in life). I personally don't see a fundamental difference in people turning away from society for e.g. spiritual reasons, or because they want to get high, but think they should only do so if they can afford it wholly by themselves. (I do accept if assistance – financial, etc.. - comes with obligations.)