The Gateway Drug Theory is best defined as the belief that a lower class drug can lead to subsequent use of harder drugs.  It is also defined as a drug sometimes used in a first or introductory experience.  The two drugs most frequently labeled under this definition are marijuana and alcohol. 

More people enter substance abuse treatment centers each year for treatment of alcoholism than all other substances combined.  It is available, plentiful, easily obtained, legal and socially condoned and in some cases, socially encouraged.  Thousands of people enter treatment each year for cannabis addictions but the numbers pale in comparison.   

Alcohol addiction is progressive in nature.  It takes more and more to achieve the same effect.  As the consumption levels increase, the dependence transcends one of a psychological nature and it also becomes a physical dependence. 

While many who experiment with marijuana never progress to harder drug use, just as many will progress to more addictive drugs.  Some remain with marijuana as their drug of choice and become dependent on marijuana alone.  The most common progression is marijuana to cocaine.  After using cocaine for a period of time, most coke users also become dependent on alcohol and/or benzodiazepines.  The cross addictions normally occur as a result of the users efforts to self-medicate for the sever depression or “crash” that is experienced when coming down from cocaine.  Methamphetamine users have progressive drug use and in most instances it goes form marijuana to cocaine to crack to meth.   

Once someone has become dependent on any substance to a point that treatment is necessary, they must realize that they are much more vulnerable to the potential addiction to other addictive substances.  Many treatment centers report that clients return with relapse problems that are not their original drug of choice.  They might have completed treatment for alcoholism and relapse on opiates or cocaine. 

Addicts must realize that once they have crossed the line and become physically and mentally dependent to a mind altering substance that they can just as easily become addicted to a new drug.   

Virtually all relapses begin with alcohol.  It is very difficult to get people who have never had a problem specifically with alcohol to understand that it is very dangerous to drink if you have ever had problems with other substances.  They often say that they rarely drink and they really don’t enjoy the taste.  The problem surfaces when the person consumes alcohol and reduces their inhibitions and ability to make rational decisions.  Most jokes start with “This guy in a bar…” or “This drunk…”  There is a reason for this.  When people drink they do things that they would not normally do when sober.  Drug relapses usually happen after a couple of drinks.  People who were successfully treated for drug dependence often become alcoholics.  Alcohol is also a mind altering substance and is the most common drug available. 

There is another common misconception with recovering alcoholics.  Many think that they can enjoy N/A beer.  These products are marketed under many brand names such as O’Doul’s, Sharps, and a host of others from virtually every brewery.  While these brands contain a reduce alcohol content, they still contain alcohol.  The small amounts of alcohol combined with the real beer taste often lead to relapse.  A normal beer sold in

America will have an alcohol content of approximately 5% with some such as Sam Adams Double Bock ranging as high as 8%.  N/A Beer usually has an alcohol content of about .5%.  While they are sold as non-alcoholic beverages, they contain alcohol and can easily trigger a relapse. 

Addict or alcoholic, it is a much safer plan to avoid all alcoholic beverages.  “Non-alcoholic” beverages will lead to a relapse for virtually any alcoholic and alcoholic beverages will be a major contributor in most drug relapses.

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