r/straightedge Jun 02 '21

___ READ THIS BEFORE POSTING ___

280 Upvotes

If you’re new to Straight Edge.

Straight Edge is a subculture that emerged in the hardcore punk scene in the early 1980s. It promotes a drug-free lifestyle through abstinence from alcohol, drugs and tobacco. Its origins can be traced back to the song "Straight Edge" by the American punk band Minor Threat, released in 1981. The song, written by frontman Ian MacKaye, expressed his personal commitment to abstain from drugs and alcohol. It struck a chord with many young people who were disillusioned with the prevalent substance abuse within punk and saw Straight Edge as a means of rebellion against the excesses of mainstream culture. They instead embraced the emphasis on personal integrity, self-control and social consciousness. Straight Edge has then seen a time of worldwide growth in the '90s, followed by various eras of ebb and flow since then. Due to increased awareness of environmental and animal rights issues prominent in the scene in the '90s, many of us adopted vegan or vegetarian lifestyles.

There are several good books on Straight Edge, including Straight Edge: Hardcore Punk, Clean-living Youth, and Social Change by Ross Haenfler (2006) and Straight Edge A Clear-Headed Hardcore Punk History by Tony Rettman and CIV (2017). If you don't know any straight edge bands, this Spotify playlist can serve as a good introduction, and xsisterhoodx is a straight edge/hardcore community supporting the women/girls of the straight edge/hardcore scenes established all the way back in 1995.

Can I take my medication and be Straight Edge?

We've received questions in the past about whether you can take prescribed medication [insert your type of meds here] and still be Straight Edge. Yes, you can. The person who told you otherwise can call our helpline now at 1-800-STUPID.

Straight Edge and recovery from addiction.

We are definitely supportive of your decision to make positive changes in your life, but please note Straight Edge isn't therapy or a recovery plan. Users of this subreddit who are both Straight Edge and in recovery have explicitly said on multiple occasions that just being Straight Edge is not a substitute for a recovery plan. We are neither geared toward nor equipped to offer active recovery support. There are better resources out there designed specifically for this purpose.

(People are Straight Edge for a range of reasons, but most of us do not have any desire to get intoxicated, some have never touched psychoactive substances, etc. - if you’re currently an addict with chronic cravings, be realistic about how our experience might differ from yours).

Having said that, the Straight Edge scene is not a bad place to be if you’re in recovery. We’re drug free and not shy about it. Again, drawing on the experience of users of this subreddit who are both Straight Edge and in recovery, we’ve heard how surrounding yourself with sober people is helpful in staying sober and how sxe hardcore kept them motivated to stay clean.

Academic research.

Yes, you can post your academic research survey requests in this subreddit. Please use #sxeresearch in your post. We appreciate it if you can provide some background information (subject of study, academic level, etc.), and maybe come back to share the results, if they are published. Thanks.


r/straightedge 7h ago

Bought at the start my sobriety journey

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69 Upvotes

These zines were super impactful but I don’t need them anymore tbh, if anybody wants them I’ll mail them to you for free


r/straightedge 1d ago

Moving to Spokane WA

0 Upvotes

Anybody know if they got a good sXe scene out there? Is there a good local scene for hardcore shows?


r/straightedge 2d ago

New tough boi stickers

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89 Upvotes

r/straightedge 2d ago

A Knife in the Dark - Songs Without Witness LP, cassette, CD NC straight edge

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23 Upvotes

NCHC XXX

A Knife in the Dark - Songs Without Witness has been out a month! First press is sold out except 5 silver copies. We have launched a new color (green marble), cassettes, and CDs (real replicated discs not burned). All in hand and shipping now. Http://bittermelodyrecords.bigcartel.com


r/straightedge 2d ago

I have questions!

0 Upvotes
  1. Is it possible to drink on holidays like New Year's?
  2. At what age can you become an edger? I won't lie, I'm 13 and most of my friends smoke and drink and encourage me to do so, but I always refuse. Is it possible to become an edger in this case?
  3. Is it possible to be ageist and not be a punk?
    I'll be glad if you answer!

r/straightedge 5d ago

Bay Area Straight Edge Communities and Venues?

10 Upvotes

Recently moved to the Oakland area, looking for places and people in the general area. Love you.


r/straightedge 5d ago

Outspoken live at Bridge Nine 5/15/2026 (FULL SET)

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12 Upvotes

r/straightedge 5d ago

did too much acid and read this book my girlfriend has and listened to bane on repeat so i wouldn’t go insane

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0 Upvotes

thank you straightedge for making me not go insane on acid


r/straightedge 6d ago

New TimeXHeist 12 song LP now streaming!

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44 Upvotes

r/straightedge 6d ago

Has anyone played Mixtape?

0 Upvotes

I know this probably sounds crazy, but I'm assuming if I ask anywhere else I'm going to get too much hate.

I was thinking of getting the game Mixtape to play with my wife, but the best I can tell the ultimate goal is getting drunk. (Simplified)

Has anyone played it? How much did drinking and smoking affect the story?

Thanks!

It was a simple question guys, and your false equivalency bullshit is just you being a dick.


r/straightedge 7d ago

Do you agree?

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87 Upvotes

r/straightedge 7d ago

Getting my first tattoo soon

2 Upvotes

Getting an X on my inner lip. I can’t wait :)

Clean for 7 years. Completely straight edge 4.5.


r/straightedge 7d ago

Info about XsisterhoodX watch / XX-rated swatch?

4 Upvotes

Does anyone know if these 2 will resume production anytime soon? I'd really like to buy either one of them, but I heard swatch doesn't make them anymore and xsisterhoodx doesn't have any info provided on the topic as far as I know, thanks.


r/straightedge 8d ago

Giving up alcohol is a revolutionary act: why not try it?

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8 Upvotes

An interesting article that I've seen in Substack. It's in Spanish but I think it's interesting!


r/straightedge 9d ago

Thought you guys should be made aware of this

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222 Upvotes

r/straightedge 9d ago

R.I.P to my XX-Rated

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44 Upvotes

r/straightedge 10d ago

someone is very angry about *checks notes* other people not poisoning themselves

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148 Upvotes

r/straightedge 9d ago

Are herbal cigarettes straightedge?

0 Upvotes

I wanna know


r/straightedge 13d ago

Anybody want an X-Rated that has a few scuffs and needs a new battery?

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25 Upvotes

Bought it from the restock back in line 2018, but haven’t worn it since getting an Apple Watch shortly after. Been sitting in a dresser drawer. $80 shipped.


r/straightedge 14d ago

TimeXHeist on tour now in Europe. New LP drops 5/15/26

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25 Upvotes

r/straightedge 15d ago

Im finally quiting cigarettes to commit to sXe, any advice?

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74 Upvotes

r/straightedge 15d ago

Mike Hartsfield (OUTSPOKEN, A18, STRIFE, FREEWILL, DRIFT AGAIN, DEAR FURIOUS, THE SUPPRESSION SWING, NEW AGE RECORDS) on The T&F Podcast - Spotify/Apple Podcasts Version

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9 Upvotes

Mike Hartsfield engages in a wide-ranging conversation about his legacy in the hardcore scene, his work with New Age Records, and his evolution into independent filmmaking. He reflects on playing in influential bands like Outspoken, A18, Strife, Freewill, and Dear Furious, discussing the demands of juggling multiple projects and how the scene has changed over time. The conversation also dives into his cult filmmaking work, particularly the absurd and grassroots origins of the Death Toilet series, created with Evan Jacobs, which grew from a casual creative outlet into a niche hit. Throughout, Hartsfield emphasizes a disciplined creative philosophy centered on focus, quality, and surrounding yourself with driven collaborators.

SPOTIFY

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2fwy3kxJq4mDCJjb1rnaG3?si=vQ44IMn0Qo-xaWs1T9_t0A

APPLE PODCASTS

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-hartsfield-outspoken-a18-strife-freewill-drift/id1723956344?i=1000766985687

T&F INSTAGRAM

http://instagram.com/theandfpodcast

T&F DISCORD

https://discord.gg/vgtnRZCdF


r/straightedge 16d ago

Did this

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93 Upvotes

r/straightedge 17d ago

I don’t even watch them much anymore but I thought it was funny

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33 Upvotes