Recreational use can occur very occasionally or every weekend or several times a week. The person might have small amounts, or they might ' binge '. Harms related to recreational use include the risks taken when intoxicated. Recreational use of most psychoactive drugs can be hazardous as they affect a person's judgment. Also, many drugs cause a 'hangover' effect.
Recreational users are unlikely to experience a withdrawal syndrome.
If they do, it is possible that they have developed a dependency. The important aspect of this type of drug use is that the person generally makes a conscious choice as to when, where and how much they will use. They are unlikely to suffer physically or psychologically if they have to go without the drug. Dependent use . With dependent use the person has little or no control over their drug use.