You may have heard the term gateway drugs, but not really understood what it meant. If you’re new to addiction, this term might be confusing. However, it’s actually been in use for a long time.
Once you understand what it means, you’ll have a much better understanding of how addiction often progresses. Many people who have battled drug addictions started by using a gateway drug first.
Just because you use one of these substances, you aren’t necessarily destined to move on to harder drugs. It can happen, and for many people it will. However, you can take the proper steps right now to change the course of your life.
A gateway drug is a substance that can be habit forming. However, this isn’t true for all of them. Using them can lead to the use of other, harder substances. The secondary drugs are generally much more addictive.
There is a belief that using less addictive drugs can easily lead to using harder drugs. Many young people begin abusing substances this way. What they’re using seems fairly mild, and even “safe” in their eyes. What they usually don’t realize is that most users will eventually develop a tolerance to them. When this occurs, people usually go searching for something stronger.
Examples of Gateway Drugs
There are a number of different drugs that are considered to be gateway drugs. These include the following:
- Â Nicotine
- Alcohol
- Prescription Opioids
- Marijuana
- Caffeine
- Food
- Amphetamine
- Inhalant Drugs
- Ecstasy
- Anabolic Steroids
- Energy Drinks
It Can Happen to You Too
Like many people, maybe you maintain the belief that a serious drug addiction could never happen to you. You may be using gateway drugs thinking that you’re OK because you’re not doing anything too hard. The fact is that you could be playing with fire.
There are all types of addictions. If you’re battling alcoholism or addicted to marijuana, it’s still a major problem. Not only that, but you’re running the risk of becoming addicted to much harder drugs in the future.
No one is immune to addiction. Just because you don’t have a family history of it doesn’t mean it can’t happen to you too. It can, and it’s important for you to know that, and to seek help before it does.
Where to Find Help for Recovery
Recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction often isn’t as simple as just stopping. You may not be able to quit on your own, and most people find that it’s impossible. Quitting your use of substances may require that you get professional treatment. That’s something that we can help you with, here at Northpoint Recovery.