Recreational Drugs
What are recreational drugs?
Recreational drugs are chemical substances that affect the central nervous system. They may be used for supposed beneficial effects on perception, consciousness, personality and behaviour and often result in addiction.
Recreational drugs can be administered in a number of ways:
- Orally, as a liquid or solid.
- Inhaled as a vapour.
- Injected either intramuscular or intravenously.
- Rectally as a suppository, that is absorbed by the colon.
- Insufflation, or snorted into the nose.
Recreational drug use can lead to substance abuse, which refers to the overindulgence in and dependence on a drug, often causing a detrimental effect to the individual's physical or mental health, and the welfare of others close to the abuser.
Abusing recreational drugs is characterised by a pattern of continued use, not medically or therapeutically required, that results in repeated adverse social, professional and legal consequences related to drug use. Family conflict, failure to meet school obligations, work issues, interpersonal conflicts and legal problems are often encountered by a substance abuser.
Substance abuse may lead to addiction and substance dependence. Addiction differs from substance abuse and dependence in that addiction incorporates a compulsion to continue a behaviour resulting in negative consequences without involving a chemical dependency. These process addictions include sex addictions, gambling and eating disorders.
Whilst a small percentage of the population can use recreational drugs without resulting in substance abuse or addiction, the vast majority of recreational users suffer negative physical, mental and psychological consequences. In such cases, the individual must find the appropriate treatment to help them get well and live without the negative consequences that abuse and addictions almost always cause.
