Were the Nazis really drug addicts?
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Were the Nazis really drug addicts?
Nowadays you always hear that the Nazis were doing every drug in the book, especially Hitler according to his personal doctor apparently. I know that Goering was an actual drug addict, but is there any truth to Hitler being one? I also heard that the German Army also did drugs as well.
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greatmystery
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Re: Were the Nazis really drug addicts?
Nowadays people will believe anything bad said about the Nazis with no evidence whatsoever.
What is the evidence that you saw that said Goering was a drug addict?
German soldiers were given stimulants, but this was a common practice and not unique to the Germany army.
What is the evidence that you saw that said Goering was a drug addict?
German soldiers were given stimulants, but this was a common practice and not unique to the Germany army.
Re: Were the Nazis really drug addicts?
What is a "Drug addict" exactly? The Nazis had a massive anti-tobacco movement. Some things which today are controlled substances in the USA were not considered as such in Germany. Methamphetamine, anabolic steroids, barbituates, morphine, and cocaine were prescribed for medical reasons. Hitler had chronic medical conditions that caused him serious physical pain. Goering also had medical conditions from a gunshot wound back in 1923.
The fact of the matter is that nearly half of Americans are on prescription drugs. A lot of these are highly addictive. Greatmystery is correct that the German soldiers were given stimulants (such as meth) but this was not unique and continued on after WWII. Soldiers are predisposed to using these sorts of substances, with known long-term side effects, because they might believe there's a good chance they will die in battle.
The fact of the matter is that nearly half of Americans are on prescription drugs. A lot of these are highly addictive. Greatmystery is correct that the German soldiers were given stimulants (such as meth) but this was not unique and continued on after WWII. Soldiers are predisposed to using these sorts of substances, with known long-term side effects, because they might believe there's a good chance they will die in battle.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance -- that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
NOTE: I am taking a leave of absence from revisionism to focus on other things. At this point, the ball is in their court to show the alleged massive pits full of human remains at the so-called "extermination camps." After 8 decades they still refuse to do this. I wonder why...
— Herbert Spencer
NOTE: I am taking a leave of absence from revisionism to focus on other things. At this point, the ball is in their court to show the alleged massive pits full of human remains at the so-called "extermination camps." After 8 decades they still refuse to do this. I wonder why...
Re: Were the Nazis really drug addicts?
Indeed, there was drug usage in NS-Germany, as it was previously and afterwards. So it's more a matter of degree. And that question for some reason doesn't get investigated. It's always from prejudices to sensation stories towards further prejudices. Narrative spinning from fragments (and rumors) into some pseudo-history. This doesn't exactly contribute to knowledge, rather towards more ignorance. And nowadays ignorance is bliss, as long as it comes with a degree.
There are indeed (legitimate) medical applications for many drugs. Drug addiction and habit forming are other matters. Well, it doesn't see to have affected too many Germans during the 30s/40s. The drug problem in Germany stems from the 1960s... After reeducation... And increased afterwards. Older Germans don't even know about those drugs. Although I can imagine that there has been quite some alcohol consumption in Germany even before. Drug use is related to nervousness and depression. It gives some relief, but can become a bad habit. It doesn't matter if it is gov approved or not.
As far as stimulant usage in war is concerned. It may be the better option, when you already fought 24 hours without sleep. However what it extends, it also takes back afterwards. I'd suspect that it can create imbalances interfering with normal activity as well. So even then one should rather be cautious.
Soldiers also have to deal with all kinds of psychological issues. They are away from home and also are exposed to death and fear around them. That can get quite exhausting and even damage sanity permanently. Although PTSD and general criminality didn't seem to be big problem in Germany after WW2. Would be interesting to compare that with the Allied countries as well.
There are indeed (legitimate) medical applications for many drugs. Drug addiction and habit forming are other matters. Well, it doesn't see to have affected too many Germans during the 30s/40s. The drug problem in Germany stems from the 1960s... After reeducation... And increased afterwards. Older Germans don't even know about those drugs. Although I can imagine that there has been quite some alcohol consumption in Germany even before. Drug use is related to nervousness and depression. It gives some relief, but can become a bad habit. It doesn't matter if it is gov approved or not.
As far as stimulant usage in war is concerned. It may be the better option, when you already fought 24 hours without sleep. However what it extends, it also takes back afterwards. I'd suspect that it can create imbalances interfering with normal activity as well. So even then one should rather be cautious.
Soldiers also have to deal with all kinds of psychological issues. They are away from home and also are exposed to death and fear around them. That can get quite exhausting and even damage sanity permanently. Although PTSD and general criminality didn't seem to be big problem in Germany after WW2. Would be interesting to compare that with the Allied countries as well.
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Otium
Re: Were the Nazis really drug addicts?
The answer is no.
'Drug addict' didn't mean the same thing today as it did then. Nor were the 'drugs' which were professionally made, now known to be dangerous of the same quality. Even drugs which were used somewhat recreationally (methamphetamine was sometimes put into chocolate, advertised to keep you alert and working) was restricted under Germany's narcotics laws in I believe 1940/41.
For example, when it's said Goring was a 'drug addict' this is misleading, it conjures up images of meth heads, cocaine addicts, that kind of thing. In reality Goring just had a habit, from what I can tell, of taking too many sedatives. This was sensationalised in the media as Goring being addicted to 'dope'. For example in the New York Sunday News, July 22, 1945 we read an article with the provocative headline: 'Goering's Dope Cut - and He's Hopping Mad!'
There's actually the same article with a different, less provocative headline published in the same paper:
I'm no drug expert, but I think by today's standards this is not what we think of when calling someone a 'drug addict'.
I think drugs as stimulants during war are less unjustifiable if you're liable to be killed at any moment.
'Drug addict' didn't mean the same thing today as it did then. Nor were the 'drugs' which were professionally made, now known to be dangerous of the same quality. Even drugs which were used somewhat recreationally (methamphetamine was sometimes put into chocolate, advertised to keep you alert and working) was restricted under Germany's narcotics laws in I believe 1940/41.
For example, when it's said Goring was a 'drug addict' this is misleading, it conjures up images of meth heads, cocaine addicts, that kind of thing. In reality Goring just had a habit, from what I can tell, of taking too many sedatives. This was sensationalised in the media as Goring being addicted to 'dope'. For example in the New York Sunday News, July 22, 1945 we read an article with the provocative headline: 'Goering's Dope Cut - and He's Hopping Mad!'
There's actually the same article with a different, less provocative headline published in the same paper:
I'm no drug expert, but I think by today's standards this is not what we think of when calling someone a 'drug addict'.
I think drugs as stimulants during war are less unjustifiable if you're liable to be killed at any moment.
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