People often wonder if marijuana is a gateway drug. While some people argue that it’s not, recent studies suggest otherwise. Research shows that using marijuana can easily lead to harsher substance abuse issues down the road.
Studies Show That Marijuana Is a Gateway Drug
The National Epidemiological Study of Alcohol Use and Related Disorders found shocking evidence against marijuana use. According to the study, adults who use marijuana for three years are more likely to develop alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol use disorder wasn’t the only problem that marijuana users experienced. Individuals also had other drug use disorders and addictions. Marijuana use also made these disorders worse because people indulged in the other substances more.
Dangers of Marijuana Use
Despite marijuana being a well-known gateway drug, why aren’t experts doing more to teach the public about its dangers? One reason is that marijuana use has become commonplace. In fact, some states around the United States have legalized the drug. The more young adults see this, the less harmful they view the drug.
The truth is that many harmful drugs are legal. Once young adults turn 21, they can walk into any store and purchase alcohol. Interestingly enough, alcohol is an extremely addictive drug that leads to thousands of annual deaths.
Additionally, movies and television have glorified marijuana use. They show the drug in a fun, non-addictive light. However, there’s no doubt that marijuana addiction is real. The drug stimulates the brain to release dopamine, which triggers a reward response that leads to addiction over time.
Factors That Affect Drug Use
In addition, studies show that many factors affect people’s drug use habits. Genetics and social environment, for example, play a role in the development of drug use disorders. Despite this, studies suggest that combining these factors with marijuana increases people’s chances of developing a disorder.
Fortunately, research also shows that getting addiction treatment at a rehab center can help save many lives.
Don’t Let Marijuana Open the Gateway to Other Drug Use
At Ashley Addiction Treatment, we know how dangerous marijuana is. Our goal is to help people overcome addiction in a safe way. Some of the different substance abuse programs that we use to treat addiction include:
- Young Adult Program
- Primary Program
- Relapse Program for individuals who have relapsed after treatment
- Family Programs to help individuals and their families embrace recovery
Don’t let marijuana or any other drug ruin your chance for a happy and healthy future. Let the experts at Ashley Addiction Treatment show you the path to recovery. Reach out to us today at 866-313-6307 for more information about our programs and amenities.