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When you think of a “drug addict,” what comes to mind? Likely not a sharp, well-dressed young man with a luxury car and a prestigious apartment. But in Lithuania, where over 17,000 people are officially registered as drug users, there’s a hidden world of substance use that defies easy categorization. Law enforcement sources suggest the true number of users could be five or six times higher, often blending seamlessly into society. These are the individuals who claim “light” drugs aren’t addictive, living seemingly normal lives while navigating a complex relationship with substances. We sat down with Dominikas, a 23-year-old from Vilnius, to hear his surprising story.
Meet Dominikas: The “Normal” Drug User Who’s Challenging Everything You Think You Know
Dominikas looks like any other young guy his age. Maybe it’s just the intense look in his eyes or that boundless energy that gives him away – but otherwise, he’s just… Dominikas. He agreed to talk, but only if we kept his last name and address private. “I still want to live peacefully,” he told us.
BR: So, you’re not worried about your family or the police finding out?
Dominikas: Nah. First off, I’m not some old “junkie.” And honestly, the cops aren’t really chasing guys like me who just shoot or snort “spydas” (that’s Lithuanian for amphetamine, by the way). They’ve got their hands full with the really heavy users or the street dealers.
BR: Do you ever sell drugs yourself?
Dominikas: You wanna buy? (He laughs, a little nervously.) Sometimes I “score” for friends, if they really need it, but it’s rare. We’ll get together, smoke some “weed,” chill. If I have something, I share. I know all the spots, where to get what.
BR: You’re 23 now. When did you first try drugs, and what got you into it?
Dominikas: I was about 15 or 16. I’m from Vilnius. We were at a party, and someone brought “wheels”—these cool-looking amphetamine pills. So we all tried them. I don’t remember much after that, just blacked out because we were drinking champagne and other stuff too. Another time, me and my buddies went to a club, “popped some.” Suddenly, my brain just stopped “grinding,” and all the girls looked prettier!
BR: What was “grinding” in your brain? Were you having problems?
Dominikas: Problems? Nah! I had money. My dad owns his own company, so I never had to pinch pennies. Those “wheels” just helped me switch off from worries and connect with people easier.
BR: Your parents didn’t notice back then?
Dominikas: They were too busy with work, work, work… Plus, I later talked to my dad, and turns out he used drugs when he was young too. He told me how his friend’s dad was a doctor, so they’d get prescriptions for stuff like diphenhydramine… And some actor he knew would bring him “weed.” So if he tried drugs, why shouldn’t I?
BR: You’re saying after 8 years, you haven’t gotten addicted, and you can just quit whenever you want?
Dominikas: I use when I want to (he shrugs, a bit annoyed). I try not to get “hooked.” Sometimes it’s “weed,” sometimes “pills” or “amphetamines.” And sometimes, when I get a job, I need a boost to get my “gears” working better (he taps his head), and to relieve stress.
BR: You seem pretty smart. I don’t think you need a “boost” for anything…
Dominikas: Why do people drink? We have a choice. I feel better smoking “weed.” Someone else might prefer to get hammered and spend the night hugging a toilet… See the difference? Pop a “pill,” an amphetamine “bomb,” or smoke some “weed,” and I feel good. More pleasure, easier life. But drinking? That just makes you want to cry, and then there’s that awful hangover…
BR: But drugs aren’t a cure-all, and addiction is a real risk…
Dominikas: Woah, woah, no lectures, please. Do you think I’m stupid and don’t see what’s going on? Even a Member of Parliament can show up to a session totally “stoned,” and everyone pretends they don’t notice. And those celebrity “stars” and “starlets”? We’re not dumb—we see it all. How can you not try it when even the “authorities” are doing it? (He laughs loudly.)
BR: You have a brain; you should decide what’s best for you, not just follow what celebrities do.
Dominikas: If you want to survive, to be “cool,” you need to be either super smart or super rich. I live the way I want. Today, I have an apartment, a car, money, and I buy my “high” when I need it.
BR: Do you have a job?
Dominikas: You think I’m totally lost and can’t achieve anything? Of course, I have a job. I just don’t have to “grind” from 8 AM to 5 PM. I work when I feel like it. Actually, I’m a qualified programmer, if you’re curious
BR: But I still don’t get why you need “that stuff”…
Dominikas: And you won’t, if you haven’t tried “that stuff.” Maybe you want to? I can give you some for free… Otherwise, you’ll die “without understanding.”
BR: No thanks. But seriously, you haven’t convincingly explained why a normal young guy needs drugs. You’re not getting them for free, and you must spend a lot on them…
Dominikas: You really want all the answers. But still, I think I could stop at any moment, and there wouldn’t be any “withdrawal” — I don’t use heroin, after all. For now, this is how it is. I’m not making future plans.
BR: So, do you sell drugs or not?
Dominikas: I told you, from time to time I “score” for others—when I really need the cash.
BR: But from what I know, if you sell drugs, you can’t just do it whenever; it’s a constant gig…
Dominikas: Look, I don’t need trouble. I use a little, I “score” a little—that’s my life, and I’m not changing anything yet.
BR: Aren’t you afraid of getting caught and going to jail?
Dominikas: Only a fool isn’t afraid. But so far, I haven’t messed up anywhere. Everyone around me thinks I’m decent, and my friends think I’m “cool.” It’s hard to pin anything on me. Who’d believe I’m a drug “dealer”?
BR: Thanks for being so open.
The Bigger Picture: Drug Use in Lithuania
Lithuania’s official statistics paint a stark picture: In 2024, 16,915 people were officially registered as users of illegal narcotics and psychotropic substances. That’s a rate of 169 cases per 100,000 people, a slight increase from 2012.
The Lithuanian AIDS Center reports that 80% of those with problematic injecting drug use are hooked on opiates, with 1.5% using stimulants and 11% using other drugs.
Lithuania has a “National Drug Control and Drug Abuse Prevention Program for 2020-2026,” focusing on reducing drug demand, especially among kids and teens, cutting down on supply, improving drug control, and boosting international cooperation. Prevention programs are active in schools and local communities, tailored for every age group from preschool to high school.
Since 2005, the “Drug-Free Clubbing” project has been running, bringing together nightclub staff, managers, and police. Public awareness campaigns through media, leaflets, and brochures also play a big role.
For treatment, both state and private facilities offer medical help. You can get outpatient treatment at state mental health centers, licensed private clinics, and specialized addiction centers. There are five regional state addiction centers nationwide offering one- to three-month programs, including group therapy, acupuncture, counseling, and substitution therapy.
Methadone therapy started in 1995, and buprenorphine treatment became available in late 2002. Only certified treatment centers can start substitution therapy, with 17 facilities in 10 cities offering it as of 2009.
In 1997, the Vilnius Centre for Addictive Disorders, with the Open Society Fund in Lithuania, launched “low-threshold” (easily accessible) services for people who inject drugs. By 2019, 12 such centers were operating in ten Lithuanian cities. These centers offer syringe and needle exchange, condom distribution, education, voluntary counseling and testing, social support, and referrals to addiction recovery programs.
And a stern warning from the law: In Lithuania, illegally making, acquiring, storing, transporting, sending, or selling Category I narcotic drugs or psychoactive substance precursors, or any other related action, can land you in prison for two to ten years.
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