Drugs can be classified according to their legal status and instrumental versus recreational use. A 25-year-old drinking alcohol to feel pleasant is an example of

Drugs can be classified according to their legal status and instrumental versus recreational use. A 25-year-old drinking alcohol to feel pleasant is an example of

• A. Illegal Recreational Use
• B. Legal Recreational Use
• C. Illegal Instrumental Use
• D. Legal Instrumental Use

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that drugs are described by two dimensions: legal status and purpose of use. In this example, the person is drinking alcohol to feel pleasant, which is recreational use—the goal is enjoyment rather than achieving a specific practical objective. Since alcohol is legal for adults in many places, the use is legal as well. So the situation fits legal recreational use. The other options would involve either illegality or using the substance to serve a specific instrumental goal, which doesn’t apply here.

The main idea is that drugs are described by two dimensions: legal status and purpose of use. In this example, the person is drinking alcohol to feel pleasant, which is recreational use—the goal is enjoyment rather than achieving a specific practical objective. Since alcohol is legal for adults in many places, the use is legal as well. So the situation fits legal recreational use. The other options would involve either illegality or using the substance to serve a specific instrumental goal, which doesn’t apply here.