Recreational drug

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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 K. 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]

Contents

Distinctions

Responsible drug use

Main article: 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, and have negative and profound effects in geographic areas well beyond the location of the consumer. Critics tend to be inexperienced with drugs, especially in the case of the 'escapist' argument. Those who are experienced and have quit tend to be more understanding, unless they've struggled with addiction.

Drugs popularly used for recreation

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Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2008)

Popular drugs

The drugs most popular for recreational use worldwide are:[2]

Other substances

Other 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, including

Unclassified

Drug use over time

USA

Drug use has increased in all categories since prohibition.[4] Since 1937, 20–37 % of the youth in the United States have used marijuana. 1 in 4 high school seniors are marijuana users, meaning they have used the drug in the past month. 1 in 10 8th graders are marijuana users.[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]

Ireland

A 2008 study in Ireland found that:[7]

  • 86% of teenagers, aged 15-19, drink alcohol (the legal alcohol purchase age and public drinking age is 18, although the drinking age in private is zero).
    • One-third of teenagers drink once a week.
    • 51% of teenagers binge drink (defined as five drinks or more at occasion) at least once a month.
    • 19% of teenagers binge drink once a week.
    • 4% of teenagers binge drink more than once a week.
    • Only 14% of teenagers do not drink at all.
    • On a typical teenage drinking occasion, the average amount of alcoholic beverages consumed is 5.75 pints.
    • The average age for taking a first alcoholic drink is 13½.
  • 50% of teenagers have used illegal drugs at least once.
    • 41% of teenagers have used cannabis at least once.
    • The average age of first illegal drug use is 14½.

See also

References

  1. ^ Siegel, Ronald K (2005). Intoxication: The universal drive for mind-altering substances. Vermont: Park Street Press, pp vii. ISBN 1-59477-069-7. 
  2. ^ Lingeman, Drugs from A-Z A Dictionary, Penguin ISBN 0 7139 0136 5
  3. ^ Lingeman, Drugs from A-Z A Dictionary, Penguin ISBN 0 7139 0136 5
  4. ^ a b c Monitoring The Future
  5. ^ Charles Whitebread: The History of the Non-Medical Use of Drugs in the United States
  6. ^ Controlling Cocaine: Supply Versus Demand Programs
  7. ^ RTÉ News - Half of young people use drink, drugs
  • (2002) Out of It: A Cultural History of Intoxication. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-027977-6. 

External links

Wikipedia content modification information:

  • This page was last modified on 29 June 2008, at 15:33.

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