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. Several behavioral psychologists who have studied this field have come to refer to it as the 'Fourth Drive' in that this behavior, has so much force and persistence that it functions like our drives for hunger, thirst and sex.^[1] 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.

A distinction is frequently made between recreational use of drugs and drug abuse, although there is much controversy on where the dividing line lies on the spectrum from a drug user to a drug abuser. Some say that abuse begins when the user begins shirking responsibility in order to afford drugs or to have enough time to use them. Some say it begins when a person uses what is deemed to be excessive amounts, while others draw the line at the point of legality. Still others believe it amounts to chronic use when mental and physical health begin degenerating in the user. Some think that any intoxicant consumption is an inappropriate activity. A further distinction can be made in that it is the use of the drug that is recreational, and not the drug itself.

[edit] Drugs popularly used for recreation

The drugs most popular for recreational use worldwide are, in alphabetical order:

• alcohol
• betel nut (arecoline) ^{[citation needed]}
• caffeine
• cannabis (THC)
• khat ^{[citation needed]}
• tobacco (nicotine)
• kratom

Other substances often used for recreational purposes follow:

• Barbiturates, including:
  • Amobarbital (Sodium Amytal; hypnotics)
  • Aprobarbital (hypnotic)
  • Butabarbital (hypnotic)
  • Butalbital (Fiorinal; sedative)
  • Hexobarbital (Sombulex; hypnotic/anesthetic)
  • Methylphenobarbital (Mebaral; antianxiety, anticonvulsant)
  • Pentobarbital (Nembutal; hypnotic)
  • Phenobarbital (Luminal; hypnotic, sedative, anticonvulsant)
  • Secobarbital (Seconal; hypnotic)
  • Sodium thiopental
  • Talbutal (Lotusate; hypnotic)

• Benzodiazepines, including:
  • Klonopin (Clonazepam)
  • Valium (Diazepam)
  • Xanax (Alprazolam)
  • Restoril (Temazepam)
  • Rohypnol (Flunitrazepam)

• Deliriants, including:
  • Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl)
  • Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
  • Scopolamine (Datura)

• Dissociative Anaesthetics, including:
  • Ketamine (2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)-cyclohexanone)
  • DXM (Dextromethorphan)
  • PCP (Phencyclidine)
  • Nitrous oxide
  • Salvinorin A, found in Salvia divinorum

• GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate)
• Kava (Piper methysticum)
• Sildenafil (Viagra)

• Opium (Papaver somniferum) and Opioids, including:
  • Heroin (Diacetylmorphine)
  • Morphine
  • Fentanyl
  • Hydrocodone
  • Meperidine
  • Oxycodone
  • Codeine

• Phenethylamines, including:
  • 2C-B (4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine)
  • 2C-E (4-ethyl-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine)
  • 2C-I (4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine)
  • 2C-T-7 (4-propylthio-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine)
  • Ephedrine (Ephedra)
  • MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine|3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-methamphetamine - ecstasy)
  • MDEA (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine)
  • MDA (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine)
  • Mescaline (Peyote and other cactii)

• Stimulants, including:
  • Methamphetamine
  • Dextroamphetamine (Adderall)
  • Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
  • Cocaine (and crack cocaine)
  • BZP and other Piperazine-based drugs (mCPP, TFMPP)

• Tryptamines, including:
  • DMT (Dimethyltryptamine)
  • LSA (e.g. Ololiuqui,hawaiian baby woodrose,morning glory)
  • LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide(semi-synthetic)
  • Psilocybin and Psilocin (Psychedelic mushrooms)
• solvants, including:
  • glue
  • toluene
  • gasoline
  • ether
  • petroleum ether
  • chloroform
  • amyl nitrate (poppers)

[edit] See also

• Arguments for and against drug prohibition
• Club drug
• Drug paraphernalia
• Hard and soft drugs
• List of notable drug culture figures
• Prohibition (drugs)
• Psychedelic
• Responsible drug use
• Psychoactive drug
• School district drug policies
• Demand reduction
• Opium Wars
• Drug injection

[edit] 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.

• (2002) Out of It: A Cultural History of Intoxication. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-027977-6.

• 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.