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.

Drug addiction
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.
See also: Drug abuse

Drug abuse
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)
        salvinorin A, found in Salvia divinorum
        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®)
              methamphetamine (Desoxyn®)
              methylphenidate (Ritalin®)
              Adderall
              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 Drug use over time
                      
                      Arguments for and against drug prohibition
                      Club drug
                      Demand reduction
                      Drug injection
                      Drug paraphernalia
                      Hard and soft drugs
                      Intravenous drug use (recreational)
                      List of notable drug culture figures
                      Opium den
                      Opium lamp
                      Opium pipe
                      Opium Wars
                      Prohibition (drugs)
                      Psychedelic
                      Psychoactive drug
                      Responsible drug use
                      School district drug policies
                      The Yogurt Connection
                      Harm reduction
                      Substance abuse
                      Drug abuse
                      Alcohol abuse