Recreational drug use
Overview
Recreational drug use is the use of psychoactive drugs for recreational purposes rather than for work, medical or spiritual purposes, although the distinction is not always clear. At least one psychopharmacologist who has studied this field refers to it as the 'Fourth Drive,' arguing that the human instinct to seek mind-altering substances has so much force and persistence that it functions like the human drives for hunger, thirst and shelter.[1]
Distinctions
Regardless of medical supervision, this label does not apply to the use of drugs for utilitarian purposes, such as the relief of fatigue or insomnia, or the control of appetite. Similarly it is incorrect to catagorise non-medical use of performance enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids used by some athletes and bodybuilders, as being recreational drug use, as the aim of this drug use is primarily to enhance physical appearance and performance rather than to achieve pleasurable effects.
Responsible drug use
The concept of responsible drug use is that a person can use recreational drugs with reduced or eliminated risk of negatively affecting other parts of one's life or other peoples lives. Advocates of this philosophy point to the many well-known artists and intellectuals who have used drugs, experimentally or otherwise, with few detrimental effects on their lives. Critics argue that the drugs are escapist--and dangerous, unpredictable and sometimes addictive.
Drugs popularly used for recreation
The drugs most popular for recreational use worldwide are:
Other substances often used:
- Barbiturates, including:
- amobarbital (Sodium Amytal®)
- aprobarbital (Alurate®)
- butabarbital (Butisol®)
- butalbital (Fiorinal®)
- hexobarbital (Sombulex®)
- methylphenobarbital (Mebaral®)
- pentobarbital (Nembutal®)
- phenobarbital (Luminal®)
- secobarbital (Seconal®)
- sodium thiopental (Sodium Pentothal®)
- talbutal (Lotusate®)
- Benzodiazepines, including:
- alprazolam (Xanax®)
- clonazepam (Klonopin®)
- diazepam (Valium®)
- flunitrazepam (Rohypnol®)
- lorazepam (Ativan®)
- nitrazepam (Mogadon®)
- temazepam (Restoril®)
- Deliriants, including:
- atropine
- diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl®)
- dimenhydrinate (Dramamine®)
- scopolamine
- nutmeg
- Dissociative anaesthetics, including:
- dextromethorphan (DXM)
- ketamine (Ketaset®)
- nitrous oxide
- phencyclidine (PCP)
- Opium (Papaver somniferum) and opioids, including:
- codeine
- fentanyl (Duragesic®, Actiq®)
- heroin
- hydrocodone (Vicodin®)
- hydromorphone (Dilaudid®)
- meperidine (Demerol®)
- methadone (Methadose®)
- morphine
- oxycodone (OxyContin®, Roxicodone®)
- oxymorphone (Opana®)
- dextropropoxyphene (Darvocet®)
- Phenethylamines, including:
- Stimulants, including:
- BZP and other piperazine-based drugs (mCPP, TFMPP)
- cocaine
- dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®, Adderall)
- methamphetamine (Desoxyn®)
- methylphenidate (Ritalin®)
- Indole alkaloids, including:
- Tryptamines, including:
- dimethyltryptamine (DMT, found in numerous plants)
- psilocybin and psilocin (found in psychedelic mushrooms)
- ergine
- LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) (Delysid®)
- Tryptamines, including:
- Inhalants, including:
- Unclassified:
- gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
- kava
- MAO inhibitors, to potentiate certain other drugs
- salvinorin A, found in Salvia divinorum
Drug use over time
Drug use has increased in all categories since prohibition.[2] Since 1937, the use of marijuana[3] has become one undertaken by 20-37% of the youth of the United States.[2] Between 1972 and 1988 the use of cocaine increased more than fivefold.[4] The usage patterns of the current two most prevalent drugs, methamphetamine and ecstasy, have shown similar gains.[2]
See also
- Arguments for and against drug prohibition
- Club drug
- Demand reduction
- Drug injection
- Drug paraphernalia
- Hard and soft drugs
- Intravenous drug use (recreational)
- Opium den
- Opium lamp
- Opium pipe
- Opium Wars
- Prohibition (drugs)
- Psychedelic
- Psychoactive drug
- Responsible drug use
- School district drug policies
- The Yogurt Connection
- Harm reduction
- Substance abuse
- Drug abuse
- Alcohol abuse
References
- ↑ Siegel, Ronald K (2005). Intoxication: The universal drive for mind-altering substances. Vermont: Park Street Press, pp vii. ISBN 1-59477-069-7.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Monitoring The Future
- ↑ Charles Whitebread: The History of the Non-Medical Use of Drugs in the United States
- ↑ Controlling Cocaine: Supply Versus Demand Programs
- (2002) Out of It: A Cultural History of Intoxication. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-027977-6.
- * The Cult of Pharmacology: How America Became the World's Most Troubled Drug Culture by Richard DeGrandpre, Duke University Press, 2006.
- Dale Pendell, Pharmakodynamis: Stimulating Plants, Potions and Herbcraft: Excitantia and Empathogenica, San Francisco: Mercury House, 2002.
- Pharmako/Poeia: Plant Powers, Poisons, and Herbcraft, San Francisco: Mercury House, 1995.
External links
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