Marijuana is a drug that can alter a person’s attention, memory, motivation, and ability to learn. More than 22 million people admitted to using marijuana in the past month in per NIDA (2014), making it the most used illicit drug (at the time) in the United States. Although cannabis is probably the most commonly recognized gateway drug, its contribution to the use of more powerful drugs has often been hotly debated. Alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine have long been commonly referred to as gateway drugs.
- Critics also say the gateway drug theory is flawed because it often relies on animal studies.
- The usage of e-cigarettes has been linked to an increase in the number of young people smoking.
- Illicit substances linked to alcohol use include marijuana, cocaine, and opioids, namely heroin.
- Over 90 percent of adults who use cocaine cited nicotine, through smoking cigarettes, as their substance of choice prior to the use of cocaine.
- They may be easily accessible to adolescents, and using them can lead teens to engage in further illicit drug use.
- While some degree of drug experimentation is accepted as normal in most cultures, the consequences may be lifelong for some people.
According to the theory, a gateway drug acts like a “gate” into a courtyard of further drug use and more gates. Several shortcomings of the theory have been identified since it was created. The theory bases itself on drug use patterns of the United States and not other countries. It ignores the availability of drugs — for example, tobacco may be used first because it is legal and easily obtained.
We offer comprehensive programs that include psychotherapy, counseling, group support, medication-assisted therapy, and much more. Our skilled staff are dedicated to equipping clients with the tools they need to achieve abstinence, prevent relapse, and enjoy long-lasting, healthy, and fulfilling lives. This substance deceives many under the guise that it is all natural and thus cannot cause dependency or even addiction. The same publication cited marijuana as being linked to other substance use disorders. More and more states are legalizing the use of recreational marijuana across the United States. Some studies suggest that not only is marijuana addictive but can also serve as a gateway to harder substances for some people.
We believe recovery is possible for anyone willing to take the first step and seek help. If you or a loved one are struggling in addiction recovery, call Asheville Recovery Center today to create a treatment plan to fit your needs. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes is commonly the first drug young people experiment with.
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- In order to avoid getting hooked or overdosing, marijuana is supposed to be safe to ingest in moderation, and it is even said to provide a wide variety of medicinal advantages.
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- Many people experiment with certain drugs without realizing they can lead to more dangerous substance use.
Studies suggest that the theory of the transition from consuming “softer” drugs to using more potent substances is real. The milder substances, such as nicotine or alcohol, open the door to harder drugs and long-term drug addiction. When it comes to the concept of gateway drugs, marijuana is often the first substance that comes to mind.
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People who get addicted to drugs often begin with alcohol, which is a substance that is considered socially acceptable. Finally, support from family and friends is invaluable for those seeking treatment for substance use disorder. Family therapy, support groups, and 12-step programs can also be part of a successful recovery plan.
Successful school-based prevention approaches:
Contact The Recovery Village Ridgefield today to begin a conversation about how you can achieve and maintain sobriety. Marijuana is far and away the most common substance that people consider when it comes to gateway drugs. Studies indicate that a large number of people that became addicted to more hardcore drugs tried marijuana at least once in their lives.
We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. Luckily, there are many designated facilities that specialize in the detox process that can help make it as comfortable as possible with the help of nutrition and 24-hour medical care. This makes it important to examine what Gateway drugs are before checking out the list of popular examples.
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Many prescription drugs have similar effects to heroin, which has led to many opioid abusers transitioning to the substance. Heroin and fentanyl have been linked to thousands of overdose deaths in recent years. Critics also say the gateway drug theory is flawed because it often relies on animal studies. They also say what is a gateway drug and list example? that drug use rates in other countries aren’t affected by the prevalence of marijuana.
About 52 million Americans (ages 12 and older) have used prescription drugs non-medically in their lives, per National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Multiple studies suggest that alcohol is a gateway drug that impairs brain function and motor skills. In 2014, about 88 percent of adults reported drinking alcohol at some point in their lives, and about 25 percent reported binge drinking in the past month.
Other Gateway Drugs
Inhalants, such as household chemicals, nitrous oxide, and spray paint, are often used by younger individuals due to their easy availability. While they may not always lead directly to harder drugs, they indicate a willingness to experiment with substance use. Teenagers with a drug or alcohol addiction are very likely to develop substance use disorder as an adult.
The concept of gateway drugs isn’t about guaranteed addiction but rather about increased vulnerability to substance abuse. Foothills at Red Oak Recovery® is an adolescent treatment center that helps teenage boys overcome substance use and prevent future addictive behaviors. If your teenager has started using any of the gateway drugs, taking action now to help nip substance use in the bud is often the best thing you can do for their health. Substances that are correlated with increasingly more intense drug use are referred to as gateway drugs. Substance abuse is a severe problem that can have a devastating influence on a person’s life. It can lead to health problems, financial difficulties, and strained relationships.
Therefore, people can point at marijuana as being the first illegal drug that most people ever try, but this may change if states continue to legalize it. The conclusion here is that some drugs can certainly prime a person to use other drugs, but it does not cause them to. In other words, a “gateway drug” will not cause you to do hard drugs. If you take hard drugs and certain types of gateway drug at the same time, however, you are more likely to become addicted.
At Crest View Recovery Center, we will help you reach the height of sobriety. We combine our education and expertise with our empathy to provide the highest quality addiction treatment in this region. With so many options out there, it might be difficult to choose the right option for you. There are many people out there that want you to get the help that you need and lead a happy, sober life. From family and friends, to those working at the treatment and detox centers, everyone is on your side.
So, doing some research and seeing what kind of success rate each facility has is important. Caffeine & sugar, that you would find in coffee and energy drinks boosts energy and alertness. Research in the Journal of Addiction Medicine found that persons who drank energy drinks were two to three times more likely to experiment with drugs.
Indeed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), marijuana users are three times more likely than non-users to abuse heroin. Since the 1980s, young people have been warned by educators and others about the potential dangers of using gateway drugs. For many years, middle school health educators have made the topic of gateway drugs a focus of their teachings. However, the controversy surrounding this theory has led some to reconsider the use of the term. Nicotine is one of the most common gateway drugs, followed by alcohol. It’s a stimulant that gives tobacco users a sense of mental alertness.
Nonetheless, whether or not there is a causal relationship or not, erring on the side of caution is always wise when it comes to drugs or alcohol. Plus, regardless of if it leads to harder substances later in life, consuming intoxicating substances recreationally is not ideal in and of itself. The truth is though, the concept of a gateway drug isn’t actually an entirely settled debate. Studies don’t conclusively bear out whether it’s a direct cause and effect connection and for that reason, it’s sometimes referred to as “gateway theory”.