Do gun folks drink alcohol/take "recreational" drugs when carrying a loaded gun? They don't drink and drive. Why would they drink and carry?

I'll admit I may drink a beer or two while shooting at my "range".   Booze and beer is a part at hunting camp with the "guys".  That's for after the guns are unloaded and the day of hunting is over though.
Drunk or inebriated while handling a firearm though? Never and the people I know and associate with over such activities wouldn't allow anyone around them a firearm when in that state.

It's a big responsibility to oneself and everyone else.

I am sure there are a few, but most "gun folk" are raised around guns and are taught from a very early age the dangers of guns. They are taught proper care and use of their guns. They are first and foremost taught safety and responsibility.

I used to live in a trailer park. It was not a nice place. There was this one guy who just got out of prison. He had been convicted of playing Russian Roulette with some drunk buddies. One of them found out which chamber had a bullet in it.