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.

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:
 * Alcohol
 * Caffeine
 * Cannabis (THC)
 * Tobacco (nicotine)
 * Betel nut (arecoline)
 * Khat
 * Kratom


 * 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:
 * 2C-B
 * 2C-E
 * 2C-I
 * 2C-T-7
 * ephedrine (ephedra)
 * MDMA (ecstasy)
 * MDEA
 * MDA
 * mescaline (found in peyote and other cacti)


 * 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®)


 * Inhalants, including:
 * alkyl nitrites (poppers)
 * chloroform
 * diethyl ether
 * gasoline
 * glue
 * toluene


 * 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. Since 1937, the use of marijuana has become one undertaken by 20-37% of the youth of the United States. Between 1972 and 1988 the use of cocaine increased more than fivefold. The usage patterns of the current two most prevalent drugs, methamphetamine and ecstasy, have shown similar gains.