In this article we are going to list the 10 most commonly used recreational drugs in America. For a detailed coverage of this topic and a more comprehensive list please take a look at the 20 most commonly used recreational drugs in America.
10. Cocaine
Usage in 2021 (in thousands): 4,765
The euphoric effects of cocaine have been documented for a long, long time which is why even though the dangers of cocaine consumption are well-known in all its forms, it is still extremely popular. However, the usage is still much lower than in the 1980s when cocaine was much more widely available.
9. Hallucinogens
Usage in 2021 (in thousands): 7,406
While hallucinogens include LSD and Ecstasy, hallucinogens also include ketamine, psilocybin, mescaline and peyote, the effects of which are why they are among the most commonly used recreational drugs in America.
8. Pain Relievers
Usage in 2021 (in thousands): 8,711
Many patients are prescribed pain relievers which help to soothe pain, especially in cases of moderate to severe injuries or physical traumas. However, many patients then misuse pain relievers and consume them in a quantity much higher than prescribed while also taking them for much longer than intended.
7. Central Nervous System Stimulants
Usage in 2021 (in thousands): 9,177
Central nervous stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamine and prescription stimulants, with the latter often being misused to achieve a greater high.
6. Opioids
Usage in 2021 (in thousands): 9,236
Misuse of opioids resulted in nearly 70,000 deaths in 2020 alone, which shows how dangerous opioids can be. In fact, the opioids crisis is one of the biggest crises America is facing right now as it is very easy to begin opioid treatment for pain relief and become addicted.
5. Vaping
Usage in 2021 (in thousands): 12,900
Vaping became one of the hottest things in the past decade, especially as a safer (but not safe) alternative to smoking, which has resulted in its popularity sky-rocketing.
4. Misuse of Prescription Psychotherapeutics
Usage in 2021 (in thousands): 14,284
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Misuse of Prescription Psychotherapeutics is defined as “used in any way a doctor did
not direct you to use and focused on behaviors that constitute misuse of prescription drugs.
3. Cigarette
Usage in 2021 (in thousands): 32,250
While its still third among the most commonly used recreational drugs in America, cigarette smoking has been decreasing heavily over the past several decades, especially when compared to the 1940s, where over half of all adults admitted to smoking cigarettes. However, health warnings and awareness campaigns have been effective in reducing the number of people who smoke, which isn’t really good news for some of the largest cigarette manufacturers including British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI) and Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM).
2. Marijuana
Usage in 2021 (in thousands): 52,454
Marijuana has always been the recreational drug of choice and its legalization in most of the states has resulted in a further increase in usage, crossing 50 million in 2021. Some of the biggest marijuana stocks include HEXO Corp. (NASDAQ:HEXO).
1. Alcohol
Usage in 2021 (in thousands): 162,540
Easily topping the list of the 25 most commonly used recreational drugs in America is of course, alcohol. While there is little harm in drinking occasionally, for many people, alcohol can become a coping mechanism. While around 63% of Americans drink, this is the demographic that the biggest nonalcoholic beverage companies in the U.S. is attempting to break away from alcohol. However, the U.S. is still not among the countries that consume the most alcohol.
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