Why is it always substance abuse ... does anyone recognize recreational use?

Loren- Do I detect an accusation that I indulge in illegal activity?
You couldn't be more wrong.

I do that is why I never got involved with substance abuse

This is straight from Wiki......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 (often spiritual use is considered recreational).
Psychopharmacologist Ronald K. Siegel refers to intoxication 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.
Responsible drug use......The concept of responsible drug use is that a person can use recreational drugs with reduced or eliminated risk of negatively affecting other parts of one's life or other peoples lives. Advocates of this philosophy point to the many well-known artists and intellectuals who have used drugs, experimentally or otherwise, with few detrimental effects on their lives. Critics argue that the drugs are escapist--and dangerous, unpredictable and sometimes addictive, and have negative and profound effects in geographic areas well beyond the location of the consumer. It should be noted that these criticism can apply to a number of non drug related addictions and behavioral abuse disorders. According to medical literature, responsible drug use only becomes drug abuse when the use of the substance significantly interferes with the user's daily life.
Thought you might like to see this........

Substance Abuse is Substance Abuse. When drugs are not taken for medicinal purposes our society at this time refers to it as substance abuse. Don't fret. We are headed for the days when Substance Abuse will be considered recreational use of drugs and it will be legal. Then we will also being sending rapist, murderers, thieves and the like to classes for attitude adjustments and bastards and whores will be words that relate to " the olden days, "

I have never used drugs but some do, I know.
I really don't care if it is legal or illegal if the person using the drug of choice can effect my life then I don't want the problem. If I wanted the problem I would do it myself.
I know what you mean though and a substance only becomes abuse when it causes problems for the user or the people connected to them.
I always vote for legal drug use. I think the state could use the taxes and for the most part I don't care what others do as long as they don't effect my life.

I understand the difference between recreational use and making a career out of being trashed and the difference between an occasional drink and getting dead drunk every day.

I've haven't indulged in anything for a very long time.
But that doesn't mean I wouldn't enjoy a little wacky tobaccy right this very minute.

Sure. Drug users. It all starts as recreational use, but can sure take you down a dangerous path. Everyone that buys illegal drugs contribute to the drug cartels. They contribute to the horrendous crime rate. A recreational drug is not a cocktail. It's illegal and dangerous. If someone wants recreation go to a National Park, a movie or a play. Go fishing or to an amusement park. Play cards. Don't take drugs!

I do, smoking is a benign mood mellowing drug. It is invaluable to people with extreme chronic pain, and it does not lead to "hard drugs". Thats just pure crap. If it did most of our generation would be hard core junkies, shooting heroin and desperate crack addicts.

In actual fact the percentages of dope smoking hippies who went on to hard drugs is so low, its almost non-existent.

I think the big fear Govt and big business have is that people will stop smoking cigarettes, which are legal to smoke, the user smokes WAY more cigarettes a day and its another cash cow for Govt and big business.

Cigarettes are much more addictive and have so many health problems associated with them. Govt taxes on cigaraettes, cigarette companies raking in the dollars, pharmaceuticals making big money on drugs needed for the health problems etc

Why isnt alcohol considered THE most lethal drug in society?

I dont know anyone who smoked a joint and then went out and got into their car and drove through a crowd of people or beat the crap out of their family or killed them.

Domestic violence is fuelled for the most part by society's and the Governments stand that alcohol is legal, is acceptable, is because its a cash cow via taxes for Governments, and really big businesse.

Its pretty clear to see how the Govt arrives at a decision as to what should be illegal, and what shouldnt be. IMO

If its addictive, and a huge money maker then its legal.

If its home grown, no Govt revenue, or big business profits, its illegal. Addiction is based on the individuals psychological and physiology and has nothing to do with the "substance".

Why do some people drink and not become alcoholics? Given the theory that addiction comes from use of a mood/mind altering substance then about 95% of teens and adults around the world should be alcoholics.

Everyone who ever has a drink of alcohol, even once every couple of months, is or will be an alcoholic, using the Govt's thinking. And soon you will by lying in the gutter with a brown bag of rot gut wine, shivering and shaking with DTs and begging for money to buy another bottle.

These so-called "facts" that smoking a joint leads to harder drug use are just another example of the Government lying to people to make them complacent. More people are "addicted" to McDonald fries than to MJ, and the fries are a bigger threat to your health

I find it amazing that there are so many experts here on drug use...I can only assume that these experts have learned from experience...funny, I have smoked grass on occasion for 40 years, I have never had a desire to try heroin..so much for the "known fact" (hogwash)...Grass is infinently more healthy than alcohol, (I suspect that many here who go ballsitic over the "illegal" use of recreational drugs do not consider that alcohol is a far worse drug!). As for psychological problems, again, I suspect I am as sane, if not more so (at least I remember all the answers to some of the stupid "do you remember...." (which seems to imply we are all senile here)... and grass has not impared my memory that I am aware of. I am not paranoid, so much for that tid bit. Don't knock what you haven't tried, don't spout what you have no real information about, use everything in moderation, and all is well, including that "glass of wine for health's sake". good luck

personally, I retired from "recreational use" because it became too much work!

many folks live in denial about what is addictive, or when it becomes addictive. my rule of thumb is; when it starts taking you places you did not want to go, it's time to stop!

Exactly what are we addressing here...If you look up the word recreation itself you will find the answer to the Q...I is just plain not healthy for you . So in fact Using a drug for the purposes of refreshing yourself...makes no sense...Many choose to recreate in this way, just not me, that is all, no condemnation...to each their own given they are of age...

Cops, courts, lawyers and binders of law books make SO MUCH MONEY by calling it 'substance abuse'.

And then these same cops and judges and bailiffs and binders of law books go home and smoke a fat one for recreational use - and hope nobody finds out.

Substance abuse is the politically correct term, remove the word "abuse" and you have only "substance". Apparently there is no such thing as a positive connotation to "substance".

There are many people who can use certain drugs that are presently illegal and not abuse them. They use them as others may use alcohol.

Abuse is when the substance interferes with your life, job, relationships, finances, etc.

your recreation just happens to be illegal and i heard on the news a day or so ago that men who smoke Mary Jane are more likely to get cancer.
and it is a proven fact that it leads to the use of hard drugs like heroin and cocaine.

Everyones' going to have opinions but here's mine I love wine on the week-ends I look fwd to it I smoke Virginia Slims' cigarettes as far as I'm concerned if a person isn't doing any harm to anyone then to each his own Live & Let Live

Guess it depends on the legal status of the substance and just how "recreated" one becomes.

Only in Denmark is it recreational. Legally.

It leads to paranoia, and you don't want to suffer from that, do you now.?

Do as you wish in the privacy of your home and never ever drive. Then I don't care as long as you are of legal age, (18).

It doesn't, really matter blu, you still won,t stop them doing it.