History
What is the definition of the gateway hypothesis?
The “gateway hypothesis” usually refers to the possibility that the taking up of habit A, which is considered harmless (or less harmful), may lead to the subsequent taking up of another habit, B, which is considered harmful (or more harmful).
Smoking marijuana leads to the use of other opiates or illicit substances
False: There is no evidence of people who use marijuana going on to use other substances. A study by the Institute of Medicine and Canadian Senate proved this hypothesis to be false.
What is the most damaging yet socially accepted drug in the world?
Alcohol
What age demographic is more susceptible to using a "gateway" drug and going on to try other substances?
Adolescents and young adults have been identified as the most vulnerable population
Do gateway drugs exist?
Some may say they do, some say they don't. From what we've learnt in this course, we say they do not exist.
The greatest advantage of cannabis as a medicine is that it's unusually safe
True! There is said to be no lethal dose, and does not damage body organs in used therapeutically. Medicinally marijuana can be have benefits for those with epilepsy, MS, Parkinson's, or anxiety and depression.
What year marijuana become legalized in Canada?
October 17, 2018
20% of people with mental illness have a co-occuring substance use problem
True, Canadian Association of Mental Health (camh) stated that people with a mental illness are twice as likely to have a substance use problem compared to the general population
What are the 3 most common examples of gateway drugs?
Alcohol, Marijuana, Tobacco
You cannot develop psychosis from smoking/ingesting marijuana
False: You can develop toxic psychosis, almost like an overdose when using too much marijuana. Symptoms can include: decreased consciousness, restlessness, anxiety, fear/paranoia, disorientation and more
Which edition of the DSM did Substance Use Disorder become recognized in?
What is a social factor that makes people more likely to try illicit substances?
The environment you grow up in, or the people you are surrounded with can lead to pressure to try substances
Prescription drugs including benzodiazepines, sleep aids, and stimulants used to treat ADHD are also commonly viewed as gateway drugs, since these substances are often easily accessible.
Most cocaine users have smoked cigarettes or drank alcohol before starting to use cocaine
True, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health of USA in 2012, populations between 18-34 yrs old had tried cigarettes or alcohol before using cocaine
What decade was the concept/theory of gateway drugs developed?
It was originally developed during the 1970s, when scientists suggested that experimenting with alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana during one’s teenage years increased the risk for use of stronger illicit drugs later in life.
Adolescents are more likely to engage in drug use because of what physiological factor?
The brain, because the pre frontal cortex is not fully developed resulting in impulsive thinking, all while the rewards system is fully in tact (as said by Andrea Thomson, it is often linked to a car with full functioning gas pedal with weak brakes)