Legacy Healing Center Blog

Popular recreational drugs can be both legal and illegal.

Recreational drug use can include a wide range of substances including legal and illegal substances and anywhere in-between. Two of the most popular recreational drugs are alcohol and tobacco leading the way because of their wide availability due to being legal.

These are followed by many other substances that are popular among recreational drug use. Here we are going to discuss “what is a recreational drug” as well as the most popular recreational drugs that aren’t always the legal ones.

Continue reading to learn more.

What is a Recreational Drug?

What is a recreational drug? A recreational drug is a chemical substance that is taken for pleasure, enjoyment, and leisure.

It is not something that is taken for a medical purpose and while the most popular recreational drugs tend to be illegal, there are a few that are legal. Some legal recreational drugs are caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol but these are not usually focused on because of the fact that they are legal.

Hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide have used recreational drugs one time or another and because of the wide use of recreational drugs, we are able to provide a list of the most popular recreational drugs including which ones most commonly cause their users to need hospitalization.

Here is a list of the 25 most popular recreational drugs ranging from legal to illegal:

1. Alcohol
2. Tobacco
3. Marijuana
4. Vicodin
5. Adderall
6. Cocaine
7. OxyContin
8. Xanax
9. MDMA/Ecstasy/Molly
10. LSD
11. Mushrooms
12. Tramadol
13. Methamphetamine
14. Ritalin
15. Klonopin
16. Valium
17. Ambien
18. Heroin
19. Buprenorphine
20. Morphine
21. Ativan
22. Methadone
23. Soma
24. DMT
25. Oxymorphone
26. Ketamine

The 26 drugs listed below are ordered from the popularity of use from individuals 12 years of age or older who use the substances recreationally.

Of the drugs listed above, the 9 most used recreational drugs that lead to hospital visits are:

1. Synthetic Cannabis
2. Alcohol
3. Mdma
4. Amphetamine
5. Cocaine
6. LSD
7. Cannabis
8. Mushrooms
9. Methamphetamine

The 9 substances above range from 4.8% of ER visits to 0.2% with mushrooms and cannabis being the lowest percentage of visits to the ER. Synthetic cannabis, alcohol, and methamphetamine were the highest percentages from 1.2% to 4.8% of hospitalizations.

It’s important to note that although some substances have a lower risk for mortality or health problems, no drug use is entirely harmless. There are many risks that can go unseen that are associated with the use of substance abuse but they can still affect you in the short or long term.

For individuals who decide to partake in recreational drug use, it’s important that these individuals understand what they are getting themselves into. This means that it’s important to understand the effects of the substances and how long they can last as well as side effects that can occur.

As stated above, no drug use is entirely harmless but understanding and becoming aware of certain substances can help cut down on admissions to the hospital and overdose rates.

Individuals who use drugs for recreational use are not immune to developing an addiction. Certain substances are much more addictive than others and the effects can be long term.

If you believe that someone you love is allowing their recreational drug use to get out of hand, speak to them about getting help.

An individual’s help should be number one on the priority list and there are many ways to find help with substance abuse out there. The sooner help is found, the better for the individual.

Reach out to the team at Legacy Healing Center today at 888-597-3547.
Addiction Treatment South Florida