gateway drug
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A substance whose use is thought to lead to the use of more dangerous and addictive drugs: A "gateway drug" is a habit-forming substance that is not considered highly addictive itself, but its use is believed to increase the likelihood that a person will progress to using more serious, addictive drugs.
Usage
- The term is primarily used in discussions about drug abuse prevention, public health policy, and sociology.
- It describes a theoretical concept in the progression of substance abuse.
- It is often applied to substances like alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis in debates about their legal status and societal impact.
Examples
- Noun:
- Public health campaigns often focus on preventing youth from using alcohol, labeling it a potential gateway drug.
- The study examined whether marijuana use acted as a gateway drug to harder substances like cocaine.
- One college athlete recently called beer a gateway drug for young people.
Advanced Usage
- "Gateway effect": The hypothesized phenomenon where the use of one drug leads to the use of others.
- The research paper debated the validity of the gateway effect.
- Conceptual use: The term can be used metaphorically outside of drug discourse to describe any introductory experience that leads to more extreme involvement.
- Some critics argue that casual mobile games are a gateway drug to gambling addiction.
Variants and Related Words
- Gateway substance: A synonym often used interchangeably with "gateway drug."
- Stepping-stone drug: A less common synonym with a similar meaning.
Synonyms
- Precursor drug
- Entry-level drug
Related Phrases
- Lead to harder drugs: A descriptive phrase for the effect of a gateway drug.
- Experts worry that vaping could lead to harder drugs.
Noun
- a habit-forming drug that is not addictive but its use may lead to the use of other addictive drugs
- one college athlete recently called beer a gateway drug for young people