The Golden Rules of BDSM
In the Lifestyle of BDSM, there is one thing that remains consistant: The Rule of Three (Safe, Sane, and Consensual). It is the guideline by which all things are done, from meeting, to negotiation, to play and quite often to a relationship itself. When things are Safe, Sane, and Consensual, the margin for error is drastically reduced, and all participants feel more at ease.
As an example, I use alcohol and drug use to show how this rule can affect us. If a person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, (which, incidentally, alcohol IS A DRUG), would you ever consider playing/sceneing with that person? Think about it: Alcohol is a depressant. If a scene got intense and that person under the influence was either unable or unwilling to respond to a need, how safe or sane is that?
Drugs are also a bad idea, for the same reason. If a person were high, stoned or cranked, I know that I sure as hell wouldn't want to scene with him! That's downright crazy! Sceneing with a person under the influence is often thought of as a cry for help amongst BDSM-knowledgeable suicide preventions workers!
Slaves and subs, when they scene with a Dom/me, are literally putting their lives in the Dominant's hands. A trustworthy, caring Dominant can take the slave/sub into the farthest reaches of the galaxy of subspace, and quite often s/he is delighted to do so. A Dom/me that is doped-up or drunk can literally kill or severely injure the playmate. One wrong move during blade-play or bondage scenes, and it's all over.
On the other side of that equation, a slave/sub must also be clear headed going into things, so that, if necessary, the slave can use a given safeword at any time. Drunk or toked subs/slaves seem to have excessive difficulty with this, and so are more apt to get themselves hurt or killed.
Simply put, if you or your potential partner has indulged in some drinks or a few drugs, (yes, pot counts!), do NOT scene! It's a deadly combination, something that no one will call Safe, Sane, or Consensual. It's NOT Safe, it's NOT Sane, and under the influence, often people tend to forget what happened the night/day before, so even if drunken/stoned consent is given, it's still NOT Consensual!
Keep this in mind next time you go to play. Make sure alcohol is not an option in your negotiations and play, and please keep it Safe, Sane, and Consensual.
Keep it fun. Keep it REAL.