It’s a category mistake. I used to be like OP. Why? I was horrible depressed and miserable almost 24/7. Drugs, sex and alchohol and other ‘highs’ were the only thing that could break through that misery to make me feel good at all.

The issue was my living situation. Once I got out of college and lived on my own, had a job, I no longer need substances or sex to feel good. I just felt good everyday generally because I wasn’t subject to the endless stress of my family and dorm social life destroying my emotional well being. Also exercise, eating right, and having a balanced life of work/hobbies/leisure.

Point is you have to change your life and establish good habits and it’s a lot easier to be happy. A lot of people actively refuse to do this however, and just cope endlessly with substance abuse or other mechanisms.

I rather enjoy alcohol and weed, but I find I enjoy them more the less I use them. I think once a week or biweekly is the sweet spot for me, though twice a week is ok. More than that and the fun diminishes and the negative effects are felt more. My main relaxing hobby is video games, and I like the idea of beers/weed and gaming, but it really sucks for anything that’s not really casual. I’ve been running through hollow knight this month and I’ve noticed when I do partake in either that it makes the platforming and bosses much harder