Have any astronauts ever abused drugs in space?

Question

I know from a few previous questions that some pretty strong drugs are available aboard different spacecraft and the ISS. Have any officials ever determined, on record, that drugs have been abused?

To clarify, by abused, I mean taken when not needed or more taken than needed.

For more information about drug abuse, see the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Unless it caused a notably public danger to mission, vehicle, or crew, I doubt very much any such determination would ever be made public. Crew health information is highly restricted. — Tristan, Oct 21 '13 at 20:53
It is the USA National Institute on Drug Abuse. The USA is not the world. — Nicolas Barbulesco, Dec 17 '13 at 12:18
@NicolasBarbulesco True, but the US National Institute on Drug Abuse is relevant to NASA and other US astronauts. It doesn't really matter anyway because I linked it for information, not as supporting evidence of any kind. — called2voyage, Dec 17 '13 at 13:55
Related: http://arstechnica.com/the-multiverse/2016/08/an-anecdotal-history-of-space-and-booze/ — Antzi, Aug 21 '16 at 17:04

score 6 · Answer 1 · edited May 17 '14 at 21:44

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From the technical definition of drugs, and your definition of abuse I can say I've been told of alcohol 'abuse' on the ISS. Abuse is a strong word, though; a celebratory drink was had when there was a crew change a while back; not what I would call abuse but it was 'taken when not needed'. There's even a picture out there on the internet somewhere of the crews at the time of the changes with the bottle! (I believe it was cognac.)

edited May 17 '14 at 21:44

NattyBumppo

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answered Apr 16 '14 at 09:21

ThePlanMan

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If you're referring to the Russians, it was not determined to be abuse on record. There's even a report that supposedly a Russian doctor prescribed the celebratory drink because of the "atmosphere" in the tight quarters. – called2voyage Apr 16 '14 at 12:25
And yes, abuse is a strong word. I chose it because if an official used that word it would be a serious incident. – called2voyage Apr 16 '14 at 12:26

Have any astronauts ever abused drugs in space?

1 Answers1

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