Recreational Drug Safety

PhruityPheebles
Oct 15, 2023
10 min read

This is a 21+ blog, do not use drugs if you are underage.

Trigger/Content Warning: addiction, mental illness, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, etc.

Look, You're Going to Do it Anyway.

And if you are, you might as well know what you're getting into before you get into it. And if you don't, maybe this will convince you not to. Maybe it will convince you that things will be okay if you internally** choose to partake. Maybe you're doing it right now. Maybe you've just done it.

**free from peer pressure or other kinds of external pressure, i.e., your own grown curiosity

I did. I tried it, I had definitely been curious.

Whatever the reason, you're doing it. Whether you're doing drugs a lot or a little bit, you may as well be safe. But let's be honest. You're probably not. Sometimes we put ourselves in risky situations, not always with drugs. Sometimes it's with money, friendships, relationships, or our careers. Humans are massively complicated beings. Drugs are a risky business, yes. But life is also risky. And short. And also mind-numbingly long.

This is a safe space. We're going to talk about recreational drug use in a non-judgmental way as it applies to Alcohol, Marijuana, and Hallucinogens. (I try to avoid using or talking about the other drug categories; however, the information below can be applied to any drug taken for recreational purposes.) I want to be honest with you; I won't sugarcoat the truth or romanticize drug use. I'm not trying to get you to do the drugs. That's not the goal here. The goal is understanding, education, and sympathy. Humans sometimes do things that aren't inherently good for us. But as long as you do not actively want to harm yourself or others, you can minimize your risk of drug use by reading this guide.

Did I mention that we're complicated?

Why Take Drugs Recreationally?

So why do some people do drugs? Drugs are bad, right?

Yes, generally speaking, drugs are bad. Physically bad. As well are some of the things we eat, drink even things like alcoholic beverages, are bad for our bodies. However, some people have a higher tolerance for "bad things." For example, some people can eat all the Hot Cheetos they want without ever gaining a pound (or awful heartburn), but others can't. Our bodies are all different: some can process certain drugs in their system, and others just can't and shouldn't! Just like how allergies can be more severe than others like how some people can eat peanuts, and others can die from a peanut.

Oh, you meant the other bad? Drugs are morally wrong?

Who told you that? Why do you believe that? The War on Drugs is over, I declare it. (I can't do that. I have no authority.) However, the War On Drugs is stupid. It's racist & classist. For the record, I'd like to say that I am against illegal drug trafficking, but I still don't think that the government should tell me what I can and can't put in my body. I believe that any adult, as long as you're educated on the risk of anything: drugs, parasailing, motorcycling, fireworks, does more for danger or death prevention than the not-talking-about-it method.

This isn't about addiction right now. I'm not talking about people who are addicted to drugs... We will definitely circle back to that. I'm talking about the people who like to use drugs infrequently & recreationally. Recreational to me means an individual is consuming/partaking of their own free will while engaging in some type of non-dangerous activity in their spare time.

Reasons Some People Use Recreational Drugs

1. Drugs are medicine.

Not all drugs are Over-The-Counter medicine, but all OTC medicine is drugs.

Medicine is when we attain the desired result or outcome after use. It's a cure, a treatment. So if you're smoking weed after a long, stressful day, and it helps you unwind and enjoy your night ; congrats you've found your own treatment. A relaxing, stress-free evening is just a mild example when and if you achieve your desired outcome. Like taking a prescribed pill when you feel a panic attack coming on or taking a pain reliever for a headache.

2. Curiosity

This one is a bit difficult to gauge. To do drugs, you need to be self-aware enough to know yourself: your limits, your boundaries, when your mind is in crisis, and when your body is in crisis. External motivations for using are not a good enough reasons. You should want to try non-prescriptive drugs because YOU want to, not because someone is forcing or pressuring you. Remember that doing drugs every once in a while DOESN'T make you cooler; it just means you're using drugs. That's it, don't use it to attain some sort of social status.

3. The Effects

Many people enjoy how they feel when they take certain drugs—feelings of pleasure, euphoria, calmness, increased perception and sense, or other positive feelings. Sometimes even physical feelings of increased energy, appetite, or sexual libido. But, of course, we're allowed to take prescription medications for most of these things, especially as it applies to mental health and wellness. So why not the "other" stuff too?

4. Negative Reasons

Obviously, people do drugs for the negative reasons that I may have already mentioned. Of course, I don't recommend doing drugs for these reasons. In fact, I don't recommend doing most drugs when you're in a poor mental state (i.e., suicidal, experiencing PTSD symptoms). Or if you're in a poor physical state (i.e., malnourished, dehydrated). If you do drugs for the following reasons, make sure you follow my guidelines to reduce your risk of harm.

I can't stop or control you from using drugs. However, I can recommend that you seek out professional help if you feel a dependency on drugs, mainly if you use them nearly everyday or waking moment for these purposes.

+Numbing yourself, avoiding emotional or physical pain

+purposefully limiting sleep or food intake

+To forget

+Ease of engaging in risky, dangerous, or criminal activities

+To actively feel worse

More Info

Taking "Control" of Your Recreational Drug Experience

Are you afraid of having a negative experience with recreational drugs? Have you already had a bad experience with drugs? What happened?

Maybe it wasn't for you! And that's okay. Or maybe you weren't in the right setting or in the right mindset to be on drugs at that moment. By definition, using drugs means you will experience a loss of control. Accepting and being aware of that loss of control is the first step to having a good "trip" experience. These general rules can help you be more aware next time you use it or decide to try it.

My Biggest Rules for Recreational Drug Use

Sometimes a person can make an impulsive decision to use drugs. It happens. How do we make sure we are safe and stay safe? Whether you decided to take drugs on a whim (try not doing that) or you planned your recreational trip keep these significant variables in mind:

1. You Need a Private, Familiar, and Cozy Space.

It is crucial to make sure you are in a private, safe space when using. Not only is doing drugs in public illegal (public intoxication & illegal substance in most of U.S.), but it's just generally unsafe. Ensure the space you're using has access to a bathroom, a steady water supply, some food and most important: a medical kit. Seriously pretend like you're a little hamster in a cage. This space should not have a lot of foot traffic from strangers, like a public-facing balcony or patio. This space should be large enough for you to exercise (cause you might want to idk) and cozy enough to be comfortable sitting and lying down. Using while in your own space is a great place to start or someone else's space where you are familiar and comfortable, like your close friend's or partner's place.

2. You Need to Be with People Who Make You Feel Safe.

This one is very, very important. Do drugs with people who make you feel mentally & physically safe. People that can respond and get help if they see something is off with you, people who would notice and actually care! Additionally, using drugs with people you like is always vital for the experience. If someone is annoying or obnoxious while you're sober, you'll still find them annoying, maybe even more so when you're not. Most importantly, whatever you do, do not try drugs by yourself, especially for your first time.

3. You Need to Be in a Healthy Mental Space.

Most people who use or try drugs are generally not in a great headspace. Sometimes, using illegal drugs is seen as a rebellious act against something. But other times, people use it because they're feeling more vulnerable, more insecure, and want to experiment to see if it makes them feel better. Don't do that. But you know yourself better. I've said it before, and I'll repeat it. Do you have the capacity for self-awareness that will allow you to understand something's wrong and be able to speak up if you need help? Do you know your limitations? Do you know the root of why you're experimenting/trying drugs? If you just experienced significant trauma, i.e., death, loss of some sort like a break-up, divorce, medical diagnosis, physical accident, physical or sexual assault, then it is better to stay away from non-prescription drugs. For some of these things, I speak from experience!

4. Deal with Your Come-Up Anxiety

This is the onset anxiety you may experience before taking an THC edible or psychedelics. This is sometimes brought on by the drug itself or sometimes just someone focusing to hard on when the effects take over. If you think to much about when the trip/high will start it can make the start of your experience unpleasant. I recommend doing an activity to distract yourself like an easy puzzle or watching an episode of a show you haven't seen before.

More Important General Guidelines

1. Test Your Drugs!

When it comes to illegal substances, it's tough to know where your drugs came from. Part of the risk of using is the risk of laced substances. Many companies have testing kits available to determine whether your shit is real, if it could be laced, and other potential warnings.

https://testkitplus.com/ This site also has other tips on assessing your drugs before use.

2. Start Slow, Start Small

Our bodies' metabolism varies from person to person. Some people need a higher dosage and might go for a higher dose out the gate. Avoid this. I don't care if you're a 6'7" 275 lb. athlete, everyone should start small for the first time. Start with a smaller dosage; even potentially a micro-dose to start.

Microdosing?

3. Do Your Research!

Before planning a "trip" with your best buds, make sure you know all the health risks and side effects of the drug you decide to use. This way, when something doesn't feel right about the experience, you can try assessing the symptom of what you're feeling. Make sure you understand all the symptoms before trying. Look up "proper" dosages, safest methods, and anything else that may be relevant. I recommend reading experiences from other people who have tried it.

+ Don't Forget to Look Up Harm Reduction & Overdose Prevention

In your research, make sure you look up ways to prevent harm to you and others. These could be simple things like taking/hiding away keys, so there's no urge to drive, limiting how many sharp or dangerous objects there are in the space around you. This could also be things like not mixing certain drugs or hiding them out of sight. This bleeds into overdose prevention. Ensure you know the risk factors surrounding overdose or other negative consequences. Don't mix your shit.

4. Don't Mix Your Shit

Seriously! Don't mix! Especially don't mix anything with alcohol. Ensure that the medications you're prescribed also won't create any unwanted and dangerous side effects.

5. Stay Hydrated

Hydrate or die-drate. Water is essential no matter what you do. Don't start when dehydrated, and don't let yourself become dehydrated. Staying near a water source (and a bathroom!) is very important in maintaining your health while using mind-altering substances of any and all kinds.

6. Have a Protection Plan

Yes, you should obviously know your emergency exits in case of a fire or whatever else may happen. But that's not what I mean. I mean happenings like sex/sexual acts. Make sure you have protection for safe sex practice while using. Please note that consent is very complicated in this situation, since we *technically* can't consent when we're under the influence… make sure even if under the influence you ask your partner for consent. Communication during sex is key, and it is more important and sometimes more difficult if you're under the influence. If you are unable to ask for consent while under the influence then that's maybe a clue you should avoid sexual intimacy.

7. Understand the Laws Based on Where You Live

Unfortunately, the law is the law. I don't always agree with it, but yeah you should be over 21 before using. There is more risk to using drugs at a younger age. However, 21 isn't a magical age where you suddenly become more mature because you've turned 21. In fact, many people over the age of 21 shouldn't do drugs but still do. Statistically if you start using (rather abusing) substances at a very young age you are more likely to develop an addition; not to mention any physical, mental or emotional side effects or issues that could develop as you age.

Other than age, there is a risk of getting into legal trouble if you're caught using, sharing, buying, and selling. You also run the risk of law troubles if you have to go to a hospital. Some hospitals in some states have to report you, and some don't. The button below shows which states have Good Samaritan overdose laws.

The Law

Remember how I said sometimes people do recreational drugs for negative reasons too? Let's talk about that.

Addiction is a Serious Issue

Addiction doesn't always happen because someone tried drinking a margarita once and now they're addicted. Addiction is an illness. Many factors could impact whether a person can become addicted.

If you think you or someone may be addicted, help is available. But, remember, unless someone makes an effort to get help, there's no point in forcing or pressuring an addict into recovery. Know the signs of addiction and avoid becoming an enabler.

Addiction Signs

Know the risk factors for addiction: