For many young people, nicotine is the first drug they try. Smoking cigarettes is common among youth, and it's a practice that many continue into adulthood.

Nicotine has been considered a gateway drug for a long time. There is evidence to suggest that smoking cigarettes, or even using electronic cigarettes can lead to harder drug use.

In one study that was done in 2011, scientists gave water containing nicotine to rats. They did this for seven days in a row. Once the seven days were over, they found that the rats had an increased response to cocaine. They also learned that nicotine results in higher levels of FosB. This is a gene in the brain that is linked with cocaine addiction. They concluded that it makes sense to expect similar results in humans. In fact, they found that children who smoke could be even more at risk.

Alcohol is another popular gateway drug among both young people and adults. It suppresses the central nervous system and impairs brain function.

As many as 88% of adults admit to drinking alcohol at some point within the last month. In addition, 25% of adults have reported binge drinking within the last month. Many of these individuals have actual alcohol addictions. People who drink alcohol are much more likely to turn to marijuana or even heroin to get high.

One study done by the University of Florida showed that alcohol is the drug that leads people down the path to harder substances. Researchers collected data from more than 14,000 high school seniors in the United States. It was discovered that most of the students tried alcohol before they tried any other substance that was suggested. More than 72% of them reported consuming alcohol at some point in their lifetimes.

The use of drugs typically begins with the most socially acceptable ones first. That is what primarily leads people to drink. Researcher Adam Barry advises parents, “Parent should know that a strict, zero-tolerance policy at home is best. Increasing alcohol-specific rules and decreasing availability will help prevent an adolescent’s alcohol use. The longer that alcohol initiation is delayed, the more likely that other drug or substance use will be delayed or prevented as well.”

Prescription opioid use is on the rise in the United States. Many of the people who are addicted to painkillers became addicted by accident. It is a widely known fact that the use of these drugs can lead to heroin addiction. While it is acceptable to use them appropriately, this can still lead to addictions.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the misuse of opioids has never been a more serious problem than it is right now. In fact, they state that about 54 million people over the age of 12 have used them non-medically in the United States.

The CDC states that people who use opioid drugs are about 40 more times likely to abuse heroin. Many people who abuse these substances will eventually switch to heroin because it costs less. It’s also easier to get and use long-term.

The use of marijuana in the United States has increased substantially. In 2014, more than 22 million people reported having used it during the last month. This makes it one of the most popular among all the gateway drugs.

Many researchers are against naming marijuana as a gateway drug. They claim that most people use when they are young, and then stop using in adulthood. This fact is highly debated. The fact remains that many people who use cannabis will go on to use harder drugs later in life.

Medical professionals themselves often have mixed opinions about whether or not marijuana should be called a gateway drug. Here, doctors share their views:

It’s believed that marijuana can build a person’s tolerance to more potent drugs. There have been many studies done that support this belief. Interestingly enough, it’s also been found that using cannabis is linked with the use of alcohol and cigarettes as well.

Several states have legalized marijuana. This increases its availability and people have become more accepting of it. People who are against its legalization cite that the risk for eventually turning to other drugs is just too high.

It might not be a substance you’d expect to see on this list, but many experts believe that caffeine is a gateway drug to cocaine. It is the most commonly abused stimulant, and almost everyone uses it. Whether it comes in the form of coffee, soda or energy drinks, its use is prevalent in our country.

Just like other drugs, caffeine is directly linked to the activity of dopamine in the brain. Drinking it will produce a mild euphoria, which in turn, encourages the brain to crave more. In younger people, it produces a more dramatic effect. It works by increasing motor activity in adolescents.

Studies have shown that when young people are exposed to coffee, it heightens their sensitivity to cocaine-induced euphoria. Drinking caffeine can alter the brain’s neurochemistry significantly. As an adult, this means that response to cocaine is enhanced.

Surprisingly enough, certain types of foods can become gateway drugs themselves. Many of them have addictive properties, and the way they act in the body is similar to how drugs behave.

Dr. Anca Lamse frequently writes about women’s issues for the website, Women’s Lifelink. She relates a personal story about how food can easily turn into an addiction:

“My husband and I eat well (lots of veggies; fruits; fresh, unprocessed foods), practice relaxation techniques, and overall do what we can to keep our bodies healthy. And we enjoy this lifestyle. The other weekend, however, we found ourselves at the grocery store and decided to ‘treat ourselves.’ We had not had dry cereal in six months or longer, and we were craving it.

“Little did we know that titillating our taste buds would lead to cravings for more luscious foods. Since then, we’ve had a fair amount of chocolate, more bread than usual, and regular servings of crackers with peanut butter and honey. My husband called the cereal a gateway drug.”

Food addiction is very real, but can it lead to drug addiction? Many experts believe that it can. They also believe that many of the same treatment methods should be used for people who are addicted to food. You can learn more here:

Amphetamine is a medication that some doctors believe to be the ultimate gateway drug. Drugs like Adderall are extremely addictive. It often causes a lot of physical and psychological damage within those who abuse it. Not only that, but it frequently paves the way for other drugs, such as cocaine, meth and heroin.

Once someone is addicted to amphetamine, they’ll go to any lengths to get their hands on it. They may go doctor shopping in an attempt to get more prescriptions for the pills. They may lie about losing a prescription so that they can get another one. Many addicts will purchase it illegally on the street or from their friends.

Eventually, one of two scenarios will occur. The addict might not be able to get enough prescriptions for the amphetamine. When this happens, they may turn to harder drugs to get high. It’s also possible for people to form a high tolerance to a drug like Adderall. When that happens, their logical conclusion is often to opt for methamphetamine or cocaine.

Inhalants are very popular among teenagers, and even children in some cases. This type of drug involves several different substances, including:

• Paint thinners
• Gasoline
• Solvents
• Aerosols
• Nitrates

One study collected data from more than 7,000 young people between the ages of 12 and 17 over the course of 10 years. They found that the average age in which kids start abusing inhalants is about 14. They also found that they were likely to begin using marijuana roughly half a year later.

Further research indicates that for many teens, inhalant use begins to drop off once they enter the eighth grade. Researchers drew the conclusion that it was at that point that they started seeking out other ways to get high.

Ecstasy is a very popular drug within the rave culture in the United States. Many people think of it as one of the harder drugs in our country. However, there are studies that suggest that it can actually be a gateway drug.

In one study, surveys were conducted with more than 250 young adult users of this drug in Georgia. They found that the age of onset ecstasy use correlates with the start of cocaine and meth use.

People often assume that this drug is primarily non-addictive. It’s a party drug that people only use occasionally. However, the fact remains that it can open the door to the use of other substances.

It might surprise you to learn that taking anabolic steroids can eventually lead to an opioid addiction. However, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, it’s been proven.

In a study of 227 men being treated for opioid addiction, 21 of them had a history of steroid abuse. However, only 1 man being treated for steroid addiction admitted to a history of abusing opioid drugs.

None of the men who were questioned reported any other type of substance abuse prior to steroids. Many of them even purchased the opioids from the same person who sold them steroids.

Finally, energy drinks have been shown to be extremely addictive. Research indicates that they could very well be the newest gateway drug on the market.

In one study conducted by the University of Maryland, close to 1,100 college students were surveyed. The study followed their energy drink consumption for five years. They found that:

• About 51% of them were heavy energy drink consumers.
• 17% of them were moderate consumers.
• Only 20% of them didn’t consume them at all.
• Among the students who drank the drinks more heavily, they had a higher risk of abusing other drugs.
• They were found to be at risk for using cocaine or prescription stimulants after the age of 25.
• These same students also had a much higher risk for abusing alcohol.
• They were not found to be at risk for abusing marijuana or tobacco.

The caffeine is definitely one of the main ingredients in question. However, there are others that raise eyebrows as well. Other ingredients may actually mimic the effects that are found in various types of substances.

Here, a doctor provides some more information about the addictive power of energy drinks: