A chemical substance that, when taken into the body, alters the functioning of the body in some way, excluding those nutrients considered to be related to normal function.
Drug Abuse
Drug-taking behavior resulting in some dorm of physical, mental, or social impairment—primarily motivation for drug abuse is for recreational purpose.
Prescription Drugs
Medication purchase from a pharmacy that requires a written or oral order from a medical practitioner.
Over-The-Counter Drugs (also known as OTC)
Drug products that is available for consumers to purchase without a prescription from a medical practitioner. These products are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some OTC has regulation such has having a proof of a legal identification proving the age requirement.
Licit Drugs (also known as Legal Drugs)
Substances that are available for purchase with requirements met, such as alcohol, nicotine and caffeine. Alcohol purchase requires customers to be age of 21 and older. Nicotine or cigarette products require customers to be the age of 18 or older.
Illicit Drugs (also known as Street Drugs)
A substance whose manufacture, sale, or possession is illegal; drugs purchased from a drug dealer or a person with no license to distribute medication (not a pharmacists); may be a legal substance, sold illicitly (without a prescription, and not for medical use), or it may be a substance that is illegal to possess.
Instrumental Use
Referring to the motivation of drug user who takes the drug for a specific purpose other than getting “high”
Ex: recovery from an illness or achieving reduction in pain, antidepressant, Rx for insulin.
Recreational Use
Referring to the motivation of the drug user who takes the drug only to get “high” or achieve some pleasurable effect (or positive state of mind)
Legal vs. Illegal Usage
Legal: A person using a drug prescribed by a medical practitioner has legal use and possession of that drug.
Illegal: A person using a drug not prescribed by a medical practitioner, actions are illegal to use and possess.
The following table is an example about
[Licit vs. Illicit] versus [Instrumental Use vs. Recreational Use]
Sources:
Levinthal, Charles F. "Drugs and Behavior Today." Drug, Behavior, and Modern Society. Ed. Stephen Frail. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc., 2008. 3-6.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2009
http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CDER/ucm093452.htm
I didn't know it was illegal to use drugs that were prescribed to somebody else.. what about if you know you are using it for the right thing?
ReplyDeletehelpful to know the lingo behind the subject so that you can speak in an informed manner!
ReplyDeleteJoshua,
ReplyDeleteIf someone is using a drug that is not prescribed to them, but it’s for the right purpose, it would still be illegal with an instrumental purpose/use. But overall, it’s still illegal. The best thing for a person to do if they feel that a medication is helpful to them, consult with a physician because taking a medication without supervision of a doctor is very dangerous. A person can come across many problems by taking a medication that is not prescribed to them. Each person is physically, and physiology different. Because of that, people will have different response to medication.
Aes2911,
ReplyDeleteThank for your comment. I thought it would be helpful for people to know the definition to words commonly related to drug use, whether it is non-abusive or abuse. People can have a more understanding and correct usage of words.