Most in my airline will use high speeds (greater drag) if high. Our planned descent speed is 250 knots usually so if kept high by ATC, one can dial in 349 knots and the beast drops out of the sky at 6000' down.
Obviously this isn't always possible due to traffic or speed limits so speed brakes are the only option. I'd estimate 1 in 5 approaches use brakes. There's no shame in that what so ever. Using flaps as s brakes is a bit if a no no. Although I have been known to drop the gear at 20000!! After being held vv high into Larnaca by the Turks. That was an interesting one it's not very often I see 9999 high!!