Drugs Behaved Quote by Bill Buford
““I was surprised by what I found; moreover, because I came away with a knowledge that I had not possessed before, I was also grateful, and surprised by that as well. I had not expected the violence to be so pleasurable…This is, if you like, the answer to the hundred-dollar question: why do young males riot every Saturday? They do it for the same reason that another generation drank too much, or smoked dope, or took hallucinogenic drugs, or behaved badly or rebelliously. Violence is their antisocial kick, their mind-altering experience, an adrenaline-induced euphoria that might be all the more powerful because it is generated by the body itself, with, I was convinced, many of the same addictive qualities that characterize synthetically-produced drugs””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Violence of Youth” in The New Yorker, 1995
The author reflects on discovering that violent riots give young men a drug‑like euphoria, similar to substance abuse, making it an addictive, socially disruptive outlet.
In simple terms: Violence can feel like a drug for some youths.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address the underlying thrill‑seeking in violent behavior.
Themes
youth culture
violence
addiction
rebellion
psychology
Mood
conflicted
analytical
critical
Type
sociological
psychological
observational
When to use this quote
- nightclub brawls
- street riots
- gang initiation
- sports rivalries
Key Concepts
dopamine surge
antisocial behavior
ritualized aggression
social bonding
Questions to Reflect On
- What non‑violent alternatives can satisfy the same thrill?
- How can communities reduce the allure of violent “kicks”?
A Different Perspective
Violence is not purely irrational but driven by neurochemical reward, complicating simple moral condemnation.
