Definition

1. 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

1. 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