Gateway Theory

Gateway Theory suggests that the use of certain substances, like tobacco or marijuana, may lead individuals to experiment with more intense or riskier drugs later on. The idea is that initial substance use might open the door to developing dependencies or habits involving stronger drugs, not necessarily because the first substances directly cause addiction, but because they may change attitudes, behaviors, or brain chemistry, making it easier to move on to more harmful substances. However, this theory is debated and not universally accepted, as many factors influence drug progression and addiction.