[Mark Bahner]

Narcotic use is by default abuse in my view.

There's one LITTLE problem with that. Alcohol is a narcotic. ("Narcotic" from the root, "numbing.") See my post #172.

[wardaddy]

It's no problem. Let me be more specific. Narcotics are in my mind, the opiods. Administered or consumed for effect, they are much more intoxicating proportionately and customarily than one or a few drinks. If one consumes large amounts of alcohol then the effects are similar. One does not consume little enough narcotics (my defintion) to feel little or nothing nor for the taste as in some libations. I understand your position and won't deny that alcohol is of course an intoxicant and problematic....but not universally whereas narcotics (again my definition) when used recreationally are almost sure to be problematic.

[Hacksaw]

Alcohol is a narcotic. ("Narcotic" from the root, "numbing.") See my post #172.

No, it is not. It is a depressant.