Difference between revisions of "Gateway drug"
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| − | A '''gateway drug''' is a drug that has a certain degree of social acceptability which is thought to promote the subsequent use of | + | A '''gateway drug''' is a drug that has a certain degree of social acceptability which is thought to promote the subsequent use of other drugs. According to Drug Watch, The earlier children use the gateway drugs [[tobacco]] or [[alcohol]] or [[marijuana]], the more likely they are to move on to other drugs. Youth who drank alcohol were 50 times more likely to use [[cocaine]], and those who smoked tobacco cigarettes were 19 times as likely to use cocaine. Nearly 90% of cocaine users had smoked tobacco or drank alcohol or used marijuana first. The study, based on 30,000 [[American]] households, established a clear progression that began with use of the gateway drugs of alcohol, tobacco or marijuana and led to use of other drugs. [http://www.drugwatch.org/Alcohol%20&%20Tobacco_Gateway%20Drugs.htm] |
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| + | However, the results of one study can not be used to generalize for all populations, especially when accounting for differences in drinking laws and cultural norms. Additionally, a causal effect has not been definitively established and it is not clear whether certain individuals inevitably seek out drugs or whether one drug causes the use of another. | ||
[[category:addiction]] | [[category:addiction]] | ||
Revision as of 09:03, March 7, 2009
A gateway drug is a drug that has a certain degree of social acceptability which is thought to promote the subsequent use of other drugs. According to Drug Watch, The earlier children use the gateway drugs tobacco or alcohol or marijuana, the more likely they are to move on to other drugs. Youth who drank alcohol were 50 times more likely to use cocaine, and those who smoked tobacco cigarettes were 19 times as likely to use cocaine. Nearly 90% of cocaine users had smoked tobacco or drank alcohol or used marijuana first. The study, based on 30,000 American households, established a clear progression that began with use of the gateway drugs of alcohol, tobacco or marijuana and led to use of other drugs. [1]
However, the results of one study can not be used to generalize for all populations, especially when accounting for differences in drinking laws and cultural norms. Additionally, a causal effect has not been definitively established and it is not clear whether certain individuals inevitably seek out drugs or whether one drug causes the use of another.