Recreational drug use
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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. The psychopharmacologist Ronald Siegel, who has studied this field, refers to intoxication 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] DistinctionsResponsible drug useThe 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. Critics argue that the drugs are escapist--and dangerous, unpredictable and sometimes addictive, and have negative and profound effects in geographic areas well beyond the location of the consumer. 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. Drugs popularly used for recreationPopular drugsThe drugs most popular for recreational use worldwide are [2]: Other substancesOther substances often used[3]: Barbiturates, including
Benzodiazepines, including
Deliriants, including
Dissociative anaesthetics, including
Opium (Papaver somniferum) and opioids, including
Phenethylamines, including
Stimulants, including
Indole alkaloids, including
Inhalants, includingUnclassified
Drug use over timeDrug use has increased in all categories since prohibition.[4] Since 1937, 20–37 % of the youth in the United States have used marijuana.[5] [4] Between 1972 and 1988, the use of cocaine increased more than fivefold.[6] The usage patterns of the current two most prevalent drugs, methamphetamine and ecstasy, have shown similar gains.[4] See also
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