Ya when I read the title of the thread "drugs!" ... I went ballistic and was gonna come in here with the intent of smashing the poster ... but he meant that "The Game" was addictive like a drug ... and I was like "ooohh boy, You are so on the money!"
Anyways (after taking calm breaths) I just like to say ... yes ... getting from AFC to a reasonably good level of PUA is very relative ... everyone is different ... some are even born "Naturals"
Personally I wasn't ... I was as shy an Asian as they come ... I was like Rajesh from the tv show "The Big Bang Theory" ... could never talk to a woman ... I had major AA ... and needed Alcohol to be able to even say hi to a woman in the face...
You just need to realize when to take the bull by its horns (I did when all my friends had girlfriends and I didnt) and learn all there is to know on seduction. Now Ive been a PUA somewhat for almost two years and I dont even consider myself "seasoned."
Now about drugs ... ya I did em ... and I learned when to stop ... again people react differently with drugs ... everyones different ... but my rule is never take drugs while your picking up ... it ruins your game totally because your not in a frame of mind to deal with women ... the only thing I do now is drink because I know alcohol makes me loosen up and no I dont use it as a crutch (I did before)
Its better to learn the Art of Seduction without any alcohol and drugs ... you learn a thing about yourself, gain experience through practice, and how you react to your environment.
Cheers ... and good luck!
Good Luck