(11-6-12)
Gateway Drugs
- Smoking (nicotine) & Drinking (alcohol)
- Marijuana (cannabis)
- other “illicit” drugs
- [cocaine, opioid, amphetamines, hallucinogenic, inhalants, phencyclinidine, sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics, other]
- abuse of prescription drugs
The idea that there is a hierarchical relationship apparent in humans’ use of psychoactive chemicals has been considered by various investigators. A typical view is that use of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages provides the initial entry into “drug use” which may then progress to other chemicals. What has been observed is that it is unusual to find someone who uses marijuana who has never either smoked tobacco or drunk alcohol (It is possible to find such people and we should be careful in how literally this model is interpreted.). Similarly, it is unusual to find someone who uses “more serious” drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, who have not used Marijuana. Interestingly, some investigators (Kandel, Yamaguchi, & Chen, 1992) have reported that misuse of prescription drugs is uncommon in individuals who have not previously used drugs of abuse. The potential value of this model, if it continues to receive empirical support, is in the suggestion that targeting the early elements in the chain or hierarchy (tobacco and alcohol use) may be an effective strategy to prevent use of the even more destructive chemicals seen in use later.
Protective & Risk Factors for Adolescent/Adult Drug Abuse
(Kilpatrick et al., 2000; Lynskey, Fergusson, & Heywood, 1998; Newcomb & Felix-Oritz, 1992)
Risk Factors
- low educational aspirations
- high perceived adult drug use
- high perceived peer drug use
- many deviant behaviors
- high perception of community support/tolerance for drug use
- easy availability of drugs
- physical or sexual assault
- high novelty/stimulus seeking
Protective Factors
- high GPA
- low depression
- supportive relationships at home
- many perceived sanctions for drug use
- high religiosity
- high self-acceptance
- high law abidance
Unfortunately, risk factors tend to be stronger predictors than protective factors.
Predictors of Adolescent Drug Treatment Success (Blum, 1987)
Demographic
- Residential stability
- Higher educational attainment
- Fewer arrests
- Higher social class
Attitudinal
- Self-referred, more motivated, less denial
- More active participation in therapy program
Psychological
- Less emotional/behavioral maladjustment
- Higher degree of distress
- More stable social relationships