This is particularly true when a person starts off misusing a gateway drug. Inpatient treatments are one of the best options for individuals who want to concentrate exclusively on their recovery and shield themselves from negative environments that may promote substance abuse. The CDC notes that smoking cigarettes is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the United States. Moreover, the Advances in Drug and Alcohol Research study found that vape users are three to four times more likely to transition to smoking conventional cigarettes.
Identifying and Understanding: What is a Gateway Drug?
Here is a list of resources if you or someone you love struggles with substance abuse and want help to recover. Our faith-based approach to addiction recovery offers hope to those who struggle and ensures that each family under our care gets the personalized attention they deserve. God calls people to live in freedom, not under the control of substances, including these substances.
Risk Factors That Contribute to Substance Use Disorder
Over time, and with continued use, this leads them into the dangerous cycle of addiction. The gateway theory suggests that using certain mild substances can lead to the use of more dangerous drugs later. Researchers and addiction professionals have widely debated this idea. The idea is that early exposure to these drugs can lead to risky behaviors and a greater tolerance for trying other substances. While not everyone who uses them will develop an addiction, they can still serve as a stepping stone toward more harmful drug use. This article describes what qualifies as a gateway drug, its potential risk, and why early use matters in the context of addiction and mental health.
The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Companies that make energy drinks claim that the drinks can increase alertness and improve physical and mental performance.
Griffin, Edmund; Melas, Philippe; Zhou, Royce; et al. “Prior alcohol use increases vulnerabilit… of HDAC4 and HDAC5.” Science Advances, November 1, 2017. Many people who use marijuana long term and are trying to quit report mild withdrawal symptoms that make quitting difficult. As demonstrated in the above image, tobacco is physically harmful, but it is also carries a high financial cost. No health organizations recognize that any amount of tobacco use is safe. Thus, classifications on what is considered, safe or moderate use, do not exist. Breastfeeding women must also be aware that alcohol and other substances can be passed to their breastfed infant.
If you suspect someone close to you may be struggling with addiction then there are physical, psychological and behavioral changes that people who abuse gateway drugs may show. If these substances have led you or someone you love down the path of addiction, recovery is possible. Spring2Life Recovery in Tennessee offers support, healing, and a path toward lasting change. Our faith-based programs help men seek a new life free from substance addiction.
Discover how increasing alcohol prices decreases alcohol-related deaths and supports healthier choices. The psychoactive ingredient in marijuana is THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. If a cannabis plant has a THC concentration of more than 0.3%, it’s marijuana. Aftercare plans include support groups, therapy sessions and carefully crafted life skills training for you to navigate life challenges and prevent relapses. In both settings, medical professionals will monitor you and may offer medications to manage symptoms and keep you safe.
- Numerous studies suggest that marijuana use may precede the use of other licit and illicit substances and the development of addiction to these substances.
- The individual may experience short-term enjoyment from the nicotine in tobacco.
- Its use can negatively affect young individuals whose brains are developing and cause changes that may make them more likely to develop addictions and mental health issues in the future.
- It helps individuals gain control over their emotions, identify triggers that contribute to their addictive behaviors, and develop strategies to overcome challenges.
How Gateway Drugs May Lead to Addiction
Still, other risk factors Gateway Drug Marijuana Alcohol play a major role in whether someone becomes addicted. It is vital to remember that these substances do not always cause addiction. However, they do raise the risk of developing substance use problems for some people.
With compassionate care, evidence-based therapies, and the power of Christ, you can break free from addiction and rediscover purpose. Peer pressure, low self-esteem, and lack of support can also play a role and lead to addiction. When someone lacks healthy coping tools, they can turn to substances to fill that gap.
- THC is stored in fat and is slowly released over time, meaning the baby could still be exposed even after you stop using marijuana.
- However, data on the effects of marijuana exposure to your baby through breastfeeding are limited and conflicting.
- Rather, it is part of the total sum of factors that influence an individual’s likelihood of developing addiction.
- It is important to note that other factors are critical in a person’s risk for drug use.
- These groups allow individuals to connect with others who have faced similar challenges, share their experiences, and receive encouragement throughout their recovery journey.
Illicit Substances That People Tend to Use After Misusing Nicotine/Tobacco
It is often one of the earliest substances used by children or teenagers. Similar to tobacco, early experimentation with alcohol increases the likelihood of using marijuana and other substances. Research suggests that individuals who report marijuana use are more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder within three years compared to those who do not use marijuana. Tobacco, particularly cigarettes, is one of the most commonly abused drugs by children and adolescents.
What Counts as a Gateway Substance?
Studies indicate that early exposure, especially during adolescence or even gestation, correlates with increased future consumption of alcohol and other drugs. The term “gateway drug” refers to a drug that leads individuals to use more dangerous and addictive substances. It acts as a starting point, initiating a progression towards the use of harsher drugs.
Alcohol and nicotine also exhibit similar effects, suggesting that priming the brain for heightened responses to other drugs is not exclusive to marijuana. Our addiction therapies range from standard individual therapy and group therapy to anger management therapy, experiential therapy, trauma therapy, and more. To learn more about the various addiction treatment programs, therapies, and services that we offer here at Grace Land Recovery, contact us today! Alcohol use disorders are especially popular amongst teens and young adults. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, young adults between the ages of are more likely to suffer from a co-occurring disorder that involves alcoholism than older adults. Most people believe that once they misuse one substance, they’ll start misusing others.
With the right treatment, support, and determination, individuals can overcome addiction and lead fulfilling, healthy lives. In addition to professional addiction treatment, having a strong support system is crucial for individuals seeking help and recovery. A support system can consist of family members, friends, and loved ones who provide emotional support, encouragement, and understanding. This decreased reactivity may potentially increase vulnerability for addiction to other substances later in life 4. Drug Enforcement Administration, teens that use marijuana are much more likely to later use harder substances.
These initiatives can help individuals understand their behaviors linked to gateway drugs and encourage healthier choices. The gateway theory posits that initial use of milder substances can lead to experimenting with more dangerous drugs. Legal and easily accessible substances, like alcohol and nicotine, often spark curiosity for illegal drugs, increasing the likelihood of escalation into more dangerous addictions 4.
