The gateway drug theory suggests that using “softer” drugs like alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana increases the likelihood of using harder drugs. However, studies show mixed results, and other factors may be more relevant in predicting drug use. Understanding the conditions that lead to drug use may be more valuable in preventing it.
The gateway drug theory is one that has been used to argue that the use of some “softer” drugs, such as alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana, increases the likelihood that people, especially adolescents, are at greater risk for ‘heavier’ drugs, such as heroin or cocaine. While the gateway drug theory is popular and there may be some correlation between early use of drugs such as marijuana and harder drugs, the correlation is not simple and the theory is controversial. Studies by a number of reputable agencies show that the use of alcohol, cigarettes or marijuana may not cause more serious drug use.
Despite the holes in the theory, a parent who discovers their child is using one of the so-called milder drugs still has every right to be concerned. While this child never transitions to harder drug use, the toxicity of alcohol and tobacco is well understood. In some cases this drug use could lead to heavier drug use and, even by itself, still poses a danger.
Some of the key studies investigating gateway drug theory show mixed results. The American Psychiatric Association released a 2006 study that followed 10-12 year olds at the start of the study, the result of 12 years of research. The study evaluated over 200 boys and came to the conclusion that gateway drug use was not a reliable predictor of later hard drug use.
To make matters more confusing, a conflicting study conducted in Australia shows opposite results. From a sample of nearly 2,000 14- to 15-year-olds he concluded that those who used marijuana were more than ten times more likely to use harder drugs later. The larger sample here could win and prove the gateway drug theory.
More interesting work has been done on the nature of the opiates in marijuana, which can dull the senses and make people more likely to use harder drugs to achieve the same effect. One such rat study found that rats that were given marijuana, and then accessed heroin, took on more heroin on average than rats that hadn’t used marijuana before. Some scientists argue that it is impossible to apply this theory to humans.
A British study funded by the RAND Corporation and published in 2002 concludes that gateway drug use cannot be a reliable predictor of subsequent hard drug use and that scientists should look at factors other than marijuana use to explain the prevalence of hard drug use. There’s something to this theory, because it’s important to take into consideration that some people start out on harder drugs and have never used alcohol or marijuana. Furthermore, the gateway drug theory that smoking causes drug use may in fact be the opposite. Drug use can cause smoking.
The gateway drug theory has been used to explain why people switch from softer drugs to harder drugs, but it does little to solve the problem of why teenagers need to use any drug to begin with. Studying the operant conditions for any drug use may be more valuable than studying how the use of one drug may lead to another; especially since the gateway drug theory is now the subject of discussion and debate. If we truly want adolescents and adults not to use drugs, studies outlining the emotional, social, economic, and physical conditions under which drug use of any kind is most likely to occur may be more relevant. Findings from that work could help design more accurate ways to help people avoid drug use.
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