What if Duke never accepted the methamphetamine the circus pushed?

[Shrabastee Chakraborty]

I believe, the meth given out by the circus authorities were supposed to help them cope with the back-breaking schedule. I am not trying to justify the abuse, but instead trying to point out the reason why it was required in the first place. So if Duke refrained from taking meth, as he certainly could have chosen to do, would he still be able to cope with the demands a circus sideshow's life invariably possesses?

[Tobiasblackwell]

I think that if I were in his shoes, I wouldn't have taken it. I get that there was an immense pressure on him to fit in. Yet, it's no excuse to ruin one's body.

[Ak1412]

This is really interesting. It definetely would have lead to a different sequence of events, but where exactly would the changes have started?

[Hiruni Bhagya 81]

Though his drug addiction is not for the best, without accepting the drugs, he'd have been in an early grave. With the hours they work, and the lack of sleep, he'd have drove off road killing himself as well as a few around him. So, I don't think not accepting was an option.

[supernatural143]

Duke was too young and daring at that time, so he tried to fit in and showed his circus friends that he could catch up with the circus pace. He used the substance to stay awake from the long drive and to take the risk in circus shows despite the lack of sleep and fatigue. I wonder if his life would have been better or worse without using that substance. Nobody knows...

[Scrawling Pen]

I think Duke's life would have been different without the methamphetamine. I do not know if he would have been able to continue his work in the circus without it. Any addictive drug has consequences on a person, and Duke is no exception.

[Yearly Joy Besoy]

Duke's life would've turned out differently if he didn't accept that bag of methamphetamine. He could have found other ways to keep him going on the road to complete his duty, or he wouldn't have made it in the long arduous journey on the road.

[Odowgu kenso]

Personally. I think keeping up with the circus lifestyle one has to be involved with the drugs. Not accepting the meant just m,eans he should having been doing something else with his life.

[Charless Agbata]

I think it would have prevented Duke from being such a terrible whacko

[Moo Reny]

Yes without the meth, Duke's life had the tendency to have turned out better

[Not available anymore]

If he didn't accept the meth his life may not have turned out differently as he still likes alcohol and women

[Jay David Randall]

In reading this book, Duke says the circus gave all of its performer's baggies of methamphetamine to keep them driving "safely" to their next town. But what if Duke decided NOT to take it? Do you think his life would have turned out differently?

One cannot tell the outcome but definitely, his life would have been different. He might have quit the curves or found a way around to act without the drug inhibition.

[Mellino Itz]

I think if he hadn't taken those drugs his life would have turn out differently probably for the best. From my experience with alcohol, I will always advocate for total abstinence just one contact with a wrong drugs could mess your life up.

[Roderick Voss]

Nothing new would have happened because Duke is too vulnerable to trying new things and would have found a way around it.

[koffi Malay]

Without some sort of substance, I wonder how he would have kept up with the pace of the circus life—maybe caffeine instead of methamphetamines? Do you think he would have abandoned the circus life after getting burned out?