In a fictional story, is it acceptable to use the word "intoxicated" to describe the condition of a character who is high on marijuana or cocaine? When I was much younger, "high" was a word often used to describe the condition of a person who was drun on alcohol.
While "intoxicated" can describe being affected by most any mood-altering substance that works through your system, most people will associate "intoxicated" to being drunk on alcohol. Unless it's in a clinical context, readers may get confused to read a character being described as intoxicated from drug use.
Unfortunately I can't think of a formalized term for getting high, but of course there's tons of slang. Marijuana: baked, faded, blazed, lit, stoned, etc. Cocaine: buzzed, blown up, bumped, weightless.
Note that marijuana and cocaine are pretty different experiences, so if you want a character to sound knowledgeable, you may want some discernment.
Unfortunately I can't think of a formalized term for getting high,
In the UK, I have noticed that Police and medical staff use "Under the influence of..."
@sublock
Unfortunately I can't think of a formalized term for getting high,
In the UK, I have noticed that Police and medical staff use "Under the influence of..."
That's also used in many US state driving laws. The offense is officially DUI (Driving under the influence) and the law in some is written that while driving with a BAC* above a certain threshold is per say DUI, the law is written broader and can even cover prescription and OTC** drugs if they impair your ability to drive.
* Blood Alcohol Content
**Over The Counter