Is Marijuana a Gateway Drug?
Is Marijuana a Gateway Drug?
Whether or not marijuana is a gateway drug is a frequently debated topic. In the opinion of some, the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” For others, it’s, “No.” In reality, the answer may be somewhere in between…
Is Marijuana a Gateway Drug?
As per an article published on the National Institute on Drug Use website:
“Some research suggests that marijuana use is likely to precede use of other licit and illicit substances and the development of addiction to other substances. For instance, a study using longitudinal data from the National Epidemiological Study of Alcohol Use and Related Disorders found that adults who reported marijuana use during the first wave of the survey were more likely than adults who did not use marijuana to develop an alcohol use disorder within 3 years; people who used marijuana and already had an alcohol use disorder at the outset were at greater risk of their alcohol use disorder worsening. Marijuana use is also linked to other substance use disorders including nicotine addiction….
… However, the majority of people who use marijuana do not go on to use other, "harder" substances. Also, cross-sensitization is not unique to marijuana. Alcohol and nicotine also prime the brain for a heightened response to other drugs and are, like marijuana, also typically used before a person progresses to other, more harmful substances.”
This information is an indicator of how complex the issue may be.
The Answer May Be “It Depends”
For those predisposed to addiction, marijuana may introduce substance use into their lives. While the underlying disorder may not have expressed itself, marijuana may trigger it. From there, the substance use disorder may escalate to “harder” drugs, or it may continue on to become a marijuana addiction.
With that said, as with alcohol, there are plenty of people that can casually engage in the behavior without becoming addicted or escalating their substance use in quantity or diversity. So, someone that enjoys the occasional beer with friends often will not become a heavy drinker or go on to try other drugs. Someone suffering from a substance use disorder, though, may start drinking and discover the issue escalates.
Are There Resources for Marijuana Addiction?
If you believe you are suffering from marijuana addiction, know there is help! Substance use disorder treatment is available to those with marijuana addiction.
If you are looking for an in-home treatment option, reach out to Front Door Health. We offer comprehensive treatment services provided by top professionals in the field.
Front Door Health specializes in in-home treatment for patients that suffer from substance use disorders. This may be an addiction to a specific substance (like marijuana) or multiple substances. We also provide help for those with dual-diagnosis disorders.
Front Door Health takes a scientific approach to treatment, and we create custom treatment plans for our patients to increase their chances of success. Our team believes patients should get the treatment they need when they need it. That’s why we offer immediate treatment for patients (often same-day enrollment!). We also provide 24/7 treatment services for our patients. We are here when you need us!
If you would like to learn more about in-home treatment, contact Front Door Health today. We’re happy to answer any questions and provide you with the help you need.
info@frontdoorhealthcenter.com
