Gateway Drugs: Fact and Fiction
When something goes awry in our life, we usually question why it happened and start thinking about what we could have done differently. Sometimes, that includes placing blame on ourselves, someone else, or something.
Psychologists predict the likelihood of addiction by certain risk factors—most of which are beyond our control. However, the theory of "gateway drugs" places some of the blame for substance abuse on the choices we make
Gateway Drug Definition
The idea of gateway drugs has been around for nearly fifty years. The theory is that the likelihood of someone using "hard" drugs drastically increases after using other substances.
Denise Kendal published a paper in 1975 suggesting that adolescents use drugs in stages. Kendal found that teens begin using cannabis mere months after first trying legal substances like alcohol. The likelihood that someone used illegal substances without drinking first was far less likely—27% versus 2%.
The main villain of gateway drugs is cannabis. The sequence of events starts with experimenting with less-harmful substances and ends with much more dangerous substances like heroin and methamphetamine.
What Substances are Considered Gateway Drugs
Cannabis, which most people know as marijuana, became the gateway theory's boogie man after various "scared straight" drug prevention programs. However, the original belief was that alcohol and tobacco use happen earlier in the pathway than cannabis.
These three substances are the most accepted gateway drugs, but do they actually lead to other substance use and abuse?
Is Alcohol a Gateway Drug?
A 2015 study focused on the use of alcohol in 12th graders in the U.S. Researchers found that alcohol was typically the first substance that teens experimented with, even before tobacco or cannabis.
Is Tobacco a Gateway Drug?
The idea of tobacco as a gateway drug, specifically cigarettes, is linked to later cocaine use. Researchers studying mice found strong links in reactivity to nicotine (the addictive substance in cigarettes) and cocaine. This connection even came down to similarities in brain structure and chemistry.
In humans, the two drugs have an undeniable link. Over 90% of cocaine users admitted smoking cigarettes before moving on to other drugs.
Is Marijuana a Gateway Drug?
The brain develops a tolerance for extended cannabis use, particularly in young people. This tolerance means that the brain "gets used" to the drug's influence and resists the dopamine release that it previously gave. More cannabis is needed to feel the effects as time goes on.
Increased tolerance is the main argument for cannabis as a gateway drug. Studies of mice found their brains were "primed" for other drugs. If researchers had previously administered THC, the mice showed a heightened response to new drugs.
Setting the Record Straight
The theory of gateway drugs isn't without merit. However, there are quite a few factors that play into substance abuse that the idea doesn't consider. Many of these factors offer quite a bit of standing against it.
Animal Studies and Surveys
The most scientific evidence for gateway drugs happens in experiments with mice. Most of the time, animal behavior doesn't align with human behavior. And the seemingly conclusive surveys don't consider other risk factors for developing a substance use disorder.
When You Start Using Has More of an Effect Than What You Are Using
That same 2015 study that found alcohol is the first "gateway drug" also examined drinking ages. The teenagers surveyed that began drinking in 6th grade were far more likely to develop an addiction than those who started in 9th grade.
Kendal's 1975 paper also found that the majority of people that use cannabis don't move on to other substances. Some of the results come down to accessibility. Cannabis is legal in many states, and alcohol and tobacco are readily available across the U.S. All three are popular and relatively inexpensive to purchase.
Risk Factors for Developing an Addiction
The gateway theory doesn't take into account other risk factors for addiction. What substance you use first may not be as important as previously thought.
Some people are more naturally prone to developing an addiction - no matter what they take. Eventually, they form a tolerance and might want to try something that packs more of a punch.
Genetics
The American Psychological Association states that over half of addiction vulnerability is genetics-related. If a relative has a substance use disorder, the odds of a close family member developing one after misusing drugs are significant.
Mental Illness
Mental illnesses, like depression and anxiety, are frequently linked to substance abuse. This correlation holds especially true for young people. In fact, 60% of adolescents treated for a substance use disorder are also diagnosed with a mental illness.
Many substances, legal and illegal, affect the brain's reward center. They make you feel happy. If someone doesn't have the resources to get help through the proper channels, they might self-medicate in destructive ways.
Environment
A factor influencing a person's use of drugs is their home environment. Do they have support for their academics? A reliable caretaker? Are their emotional and mental well-being needs being met? Do their peers use or abuse drugs?
None of these factors guarantee that someone will develop an addiction, but they contribute to why someone starts or can't stop.
Get Help for Your Addiction
Whether or not the gateway drug theory holds, extended use of any substance comes with risks. It's never too late to get help for your addiction.
At Sequoia Behavioral Health, we know that whatever challenges you've faced can be overcome with compassion and specialized care. When you enter our inpatient facility, you'll be in a safe environment with counselors specializing in evidence-backed therapies and holistic healing experiences.
Regardless of where you came from, where you go from here is what matters. Reach out today for a consultation.