Gateway Drug Theory
The Gateway Drug Theory suggests that licit drugs, such as tobacco and alcohol, serve as a “gateway” toward the use of other, illicit drugs, such as cocaine or heroin. The Multiple Stage Progress Theory gives 4 stages/sequences of substance use that laid the foundation for the Gateway Hypothesis:
- Nonusers to beer/wine drinkers
- From beer/wine drinkers to cigarettes and hard liquor
- From cigarettes/hard liquor users to marijuana
- From marijuana to other illicit drug use
The Gateway Hypothesis asserts that entry into a particular drug stage is common, and perhaps even a necessary step, but is not a sufficient prerequisite for entry into the next higher stage.
Critics of this hypothesis contend that sequence of initiation does not necessarily demonstrate a causal link/chain in the initiation into, and use of, different drugs. The most controversy surrounding this is what drug exactly serves as the initial “gateway” drug.
Examination of samples of teenagers showed that unless alcohol was used first, there was a very small likelihood that any other drug would be used later in life. It has also been demonstrated that youth who had initiated alcohol use were also more likely to use other licit and illicit drugs. Youth who progress through the hypothesized “gateway theory” initiate their substance use at an earlier age than youth who do not progress through these 3 substance classes.
Homelessness: Cause of and Caused by Alcoholism
Alcohol and drug use are commonly associated with the experience of homelessness. Studies have documented that alcohol and drug use are greater among homeless adults compared to rates in the general population. Self-reported past drug and alcohol use problems significantly increased a probability of loss of supported housing, particularly among people with serious psychiatric disorders.
In an Ottawa study of homelessness:
- 29% of participants self-reported abusing alcohol
- 40% reported abusing illegal drugs
- Youth rates were particularly high: 56% of female youth and 68% of male youth reported drug abuse problems
- Adults were significantly more likely to report having injected drugs
In a cross-sectional survey of homeless adults in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia:
- More than 3 quarters of the urban-community-based sample met the criteria for substance abuse or dependence
- More than half reported that substance abuse played a major role in their becoming homeless
- 69.5% of these respondents reported decreased or the same amount of use after they became homeless
- Cocaine and heroin use was decreased and then their alcohol intake decreased after
- Higher rates of substance use were found in Philadelphia and more identified drug and alcohol use as a major cause of their homelessness
- In Pittsburgh, homeless people often reported using more alcohol after becoming homeless
Individuals who reported more drug and alcohol use after becoming homeless were significantly more likely to be nonveterans, to be without health insurance, to have been homeless longer than 12 months, and to have been arrested in the previous 12 months.
People often turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their situations. Breaking an addiction is already quite difficult for anyone, and for those that are homeless it is only going to be more challenging.