Recreational Drug Use

What is Recreational Drug Use?

Recreational drug use is the use of legal or illegal drugs for pleasure or recreation.

The use of a drug to generate an altered state of consciousness for pleasure or for some other casual purpose or pastime by altering the user’s perceptions, sensations, and emotions is known as recreational drug use. When a psychoactive drug enters the user’s body, it causes intoxication.

Recreational drug use can be of illicit drugs or controlled drugs, such as prescription medication.

Examples of common recreational drugs include:

• Alcohol
• Cannabis (marijuana)
• Ecstasy
• Crack cocaine
• Methamphetamine
• Prescription Drugs
• Ritalin
• Tobacco

There are many different reasons why someone might choose to consume these substances. They may want to relax after a hard day at work, enjoy a night out with friends, or even just unwind before bedtime. Whatever the reason, recreational drug users can develop serious problems if their use of the drugs turns to dependency and addiction. Recreational drug use can also lead to overdose and have fatal consequences.

Dangerous Of Taking Drugs Recreationally

Taking drugs can cause severe physical and psychological damage to a recreational drug user. It can also put you at risk of developing a drug addiction. If you decide to experiment with recreational drugs, there are certain things you should know about how they affect your body and mind.

Physical Effects of Taking Drugs Recreationally

Drug users can develop an increased heart rate, blood pressure and metabolism. These changes can make you feel more energetic and awake, but they can also leave you tired and weak. You may experience drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, blurred vision, confusion, and muscle cramps. Your pupils may dilate, which makes you look drunk.

Psychological Effects of Taking Drugs Recreational

Drugs can alter your mood, perception, and memory. They can also impair your judgment and decision-making skills. For example, alcohol affects your ability to drive safely, while marijuana causes impaired coordination and motor skills. Ecstasy can cause paranoia and anxiety, and methamphetamine can cause depression, aggressive behaviour, and psychosis.

Long Term Health Risks of Using Drugs Recreationally

If you take drugs recreationally, you could develop a dependence on them. A person who takes drugs regularly develops tolerance to them over time. Tolerance means that the amount of drug needed to produce the desired effects increases. Eventually, the person needs higher doses of the drug to achieve the same level of intoxication. This dependency will often lead to an addiction.

Drug Abuse and Dependency

You can become dependent on drugs when you repeatedly take them, even if for recreational purposes. Drug and alcohol dependence occurs when your body becomes physically addicted to the substance. Addiction is characterised by compulsive substance seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. Most people start abusing when they first try the substance. Over time, addiction will usually develop.

Drug Dependence is a serious problem that requires immediate attention. Get Confidential Help Now. Call our 24h admissions line to get help – 0800 999 1083.

Signs and Symptom of Substance Abuse

The following symptoms indicate that someone has developed a substance abuse problem:

• Frequent drug use
• Continued use despite problems caused by the drug
• Persistent desire to cut down or stop using the drug, but being unable to.
• Repeated attempts to quit or control the use
• Spending large amounts of money to obtain the drug
• Feeling guilty or depressed after using the drug
• Continuing to use even though they are aware of the risks of drug-taking
• Giving up important activities because of the need to get the drug
• Failing to fulfil obligations
• Having trouble remembering what happened during periods of heavy drug use
• Losing interest in hobbies, work, or social activities
• Being unable to sleep
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit or cut back on the use

Drug usage can lead to severe consequences, even more, when it’s an abuse of an illicit drug, increasing the risk of having problems with the law.

Drug Abuse Treatment

There are many different drug treatment options available for treating substance abuse. Some treatments focus more on helping the individual deal with their underlying psychological issues, while others focus on dealing with the physical aspects of the disease. Addiction treatment may involve counselling, medication, psychotherapy, self-help groups, and 12 Step programs.

Psychotherapy

therapy helps individuals understand how their thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and behaviours affect their functioning. Therapy also teaches skills needed to cope with stressful situations and change undesirable habits. Cognitive behaviour therapy focuses on changing thought patterns and behaviours. Behavioural therapy focuses on teaching new ways of coping with stress and conflict. Behaviour modification involves learning new skills and replacing old ones. Relaxation training teaches people to relax and reduce tension.

Self-Help Groups

Self-help groups are most effective when they are run by professionals who can answer questions and give advice. These groups provide support and help individuals learn how to manage their lives better. They often offer information about recovery and encourage members to seek professional help if necessary.

12 Step Programs

These programs were initially designed to help alcoholics recover from alcoholism. However, similar principles can be applied to other types of addictions. Twelve-step programs teach participants to recognize addiction as a disease and to accept responsibility for their actions. Members must admit that they cannot control their urges to drink or take other drugs.