Marijuana is one of the most common drugs today. Around the globe, millions of people consume the drug on a regular basis. In some countries, the drug is in official stores because of legalization. Examples include Canada and the Netherlands. The legalization brings several advantages with it. However, despite these legalizations, many experts still warn that the use of marijuana could lead to other severe addictions. It remains the question: is marijuana a gateway drug?
Is Marijuana a Gateway Drug to Addiction?
Researchers have suggested that the use of Marijuana can lead to the use of other licit and illicit substances and their abuse. Users of Marijuana are more likely to develop alcohol abuse and alcoholism. If people who already suffered from alcohol abuse started to consume Marijuana on a frequent basis, their alcohol abuse worsened immensely.
Moreover, Marijuana has an even higher effect on individuals who start to consume it at a young age. The earlier a person starts to use the drug, the more likely they are to abuse other substances later on in their life. Marijuana is sometimes known as a drug with a gateway to addiction under certain circumstances, which is why some attend a marijuana addiction treatment center in Ft. Lauderdale.
Some Statistics on Marijuana
Today, Marijuana is the most common illicit drug in the U.S. according to a National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2015, 22.2 million people had used it in the past month. Of those 22.2 million people, men were found to have used the substance much more often and in higher doses than women.
Among the users were young people, still in school. Young people who use often debate about Marijuana in public, its use, and its legalization. This debate has led many people to believe that Marijuana is not bad at all for the human body and answers the question “is marijuana a gateway drug?”
But there are a number of medical emergencies connected to the use of the drug. In 2011, more than 450,000 emergency department visits were seemingly connected to the drug in the U.S. Moreover, studies show that the long-term effects of the drug might not be positive and could cause much harm to the brain of the user.
As of today, marijuana has been legalized in:
- The Netherlands
- Canada
- Uruguay
- Georgia
- South Africa
If You Need Help, We Are Here for You
Do you need help getting rid off your addiction? Are you curious if marijuana is a gateway drug? No matter whether you are experiencing an addiction to heroin, marijuana, alcohol or any other drug, we can provide you with the professional help you need. We have designed special treatment programs for you to overcome your addiction. Come to our marijuana addiction treatment center in Ft. Lauderdale and start your journey to recovery! Contact us now 866.294.5306.
