Et al. 2019, titled “Benzodiazepine Use and Misuse Among Adults in the United States,” Misuse accounted for 17.2% of benzodiazepine use overall. Illegal instrumental use – Taking non-prescription drugs to accomplish a task or goal. Illegal recreational https://dev-orjo-setupss.pantheonsite.io/2023/07/04/kudzu-overview-uses-side-effects-precautions/ use – Taking illegal drugs for fun or pleasure to experience euphoria.
Types of Recreational Drugs
As adults, we deal with many stressful situations on the job, at home, and even personal struggles with mental health. This can prompt some people to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, especially when they are emotionally compromised. Even those who are not dealing with personal issues may want to fit in with co-workers, friends, or even family members who may be misusing drugs recreationally.
Different Types of Addiction
- Legal drugs can either be bought over-the-counter or with a prescription from a medical doctor.
- Ecstasy is the manufactured pill form of MDMA, commonly called a rave or club drug.
- Support groups and counseling are essential resources that aid in your recovery from addiction.
- The important thing here is to understand there are risks with many things in life; however, use, misuse, and addiction are concerns that everyone should think about when it comes to drugs, drug misuse, and putting things into our body.
- People often use hallucinogens to have a spiritual experience or to disconnect from reality.
- While some recreational drugs, like alcohol and cannabis in certain regions, are legal, others are strictly prohibited.
Common examples of stimulants include caffeine, nicotine, and certain prescription medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). When you consume stimulants, you often experience heightened alertness, improved concentration, and a sense of euphoria. They include groups of medicines called barbiturates and benzodiazepines, which make you sleepy.
What are Examples of Recreational Drugs?
Join us for evidence-based guidelines, expert tips, and resources for a new life. Mark Halsey is a licensed therapist, founder, and chief editor of Clean Break Recovery. With over a decade of addiction treatment experience, Mark deeply understands the complex needs of those struggling with addiction and utilizes a comprehensive and holistic approach to address them. He is well-versed in traditional and innovative therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness-based interventions. Some countries have decriminalized the use of certain drugs, meaning that possession for personal use may not lead to jail time, but the drug remains illegal (e.g., Portugal’s decriminalization of all drugs).
Current categorical constructions collapse all such gradations for no obvious practical or theoretical purpose. Second, this emphasis on “getting high” as a primary motivation for consuming pharmaceuticals obscures a great deal of variability in what “getting high” actually means and how it is operationalized by young people. My qualitative research indicates variability in what constitutes “getting high” (Quintero, 2009). In sum, pharmaceuticals are well integrated warning signs of drug use into the social lives and consumption practices of young adults.
There is a fine line between recreational drug use and addiction, and it can be especially difficult for parents to spot the difference. While some individuals engage in drug use simply for pleasure or social reasons, parents must understand the distinctions between these two states (and how to know when the line is crossed). In New Jersey, opioid Alcoholics Anonymous addiction is particularly concerning, with the state recording over 2,800 drug overdose deaths in 2022, primarily driven by fentanyl and heroin, as reported by the New Jersey Department of Health, 2023. Access to treatment is important in addressing the growing epidemic, and many individuals seek professional help to overcome drug addiction and regain control of their lives. Short-term drug effects include euphoria, increased heart rate, nausea, anxiety, and respiratory disease. The severity of these effects depends on the drug type, dosage, and individual health factors.
