Britain has a reputation for its partying, built from the mid-20th century onwards. And even before the Swinging 60s brought drink and drugs to the heart of the cultural landscape, people had been letting loose at social events with the help of controlled substances for centuries. Stick around as we give you a quick overview of the different eras and the substances that defined them.
Alcohol’s Role from Ancient Times to the Industrial Revolution
Alcohol has been brewed and consumed in the UK for thousands of years, and the pub as we know it today grew out of the tavern-focused culture brought here by the Roman conquerors.
While they may be closing in record numbers, pubs still serve as the keystone of many British communities, with strict regulations governing alcohol sales. However, it wasn’t until the mid-1700s that the law really intervened in this party substance. The damage done by the Gin Craze forced the government to act. At the time, gin was a cheap escape for the working poor as the country industrialised.
The 20th Century’s Teenage Revolution
Alcohol’s position as the most popular party substance remained unchallenged until the 1950s and 60s, when teen culture rose to prominence. Amphetamines and later LSD entered circulation, and again the government responded to growing concerns. This time it was the Misuse of Drugs Act, introduced in 1971.
By the late 1980s, party culture had shifted, both in preferred substances and music choices. Raves rose to the fore, and with them the use of ecstasy. It became so popular that some clubs sold more water than they did alcohol.
The Current Climate
Ecstasy’s time in the spotlight was comparatively short-lived, as the 21st century has brought a new party substance with it: ketamine. In 2015, around 160,000 people admitted to taking it. In 2023, that rose to almost 300,000.
Mirroring this rise in use is the growing demand for ket detox services that address the dependency issues and health damage done by the substance. Its prevalence among people aged 18-24 singles it out as another youth culture drug that will shape party experiences this generation, and the associated pitfalls that come with it.
The Ongoing Debate
As in previous periods of history, campaigners are calling for ketamine to be moved from a Class B to a Class A drug. This is happening at a time when other public figures and researchers argue that we need to do more to decriminalise potentially dangerous substances in order to better manage their use and support those with addiction issues.
Simultaneously, we’re seeing a growing sobriety movement, with people ditching not only controlled substances like ketamine but also alcohol and all legal stimulants. As well as being a culturally and ideologically led movement, living costs play a part.
The Future of Party Substances
There’s no chance that parties will go out of fashion in the UK. And as long as there are big get-togethers, mind-altering substances will be used in some form. Whether the legal landscape shifts towards continued acceptance or there’s a tightening of laws around usage remains to be seen.
