gateway drug
First step downward
A gateway drug is a substance believed to lead users toward harder drugs—typically marijuana, alcohol, or tobacco as precursors to cocaine or heroin.
The term implies that using milder substances opens a psychological or social pathway to more dangerous ones: Opponents of legalization argue marijuana is a gateway drug.
The concept is contested, with critics noting that correlation doesn't establish causation.
Figuratively, any introductory experience that leads to deeper involvement: Coffee was my gateway drug to espresso addiction.
Psychoactive hemp plant
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
- nicotineAddictive tobacco alkaloid
- cannabisPsychoactive hemp plant
- tobaccoDried smoking leaf
vaping · prescription pills · opioids · painkillers · inhalants · beer · cigarettes · edibles
Intermediate stage toward goal
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
- precursorSomething that comes first
- entry pointWhere access begins
- slippery slopeArgument predicting inevitable escalation
first step · starting point · catalyst · lead-in · pathway · on-ramp · threshold · beginning
marijuana
Psychoactive hemp plant
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
- nicotineAddictive tobacco alkaloid
- cannabisPsychoactive hemp plant
tobacco · vaping · prescription pills · opioids · painkillers · inhalants · beer · cigarettes · edibles · pills
steppingstone
Intermediate stage toward goal
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
- precursorSomething that comes first
- entry pointWhere access begins
slippery slope · first step · starting point · catalyst · lead-in · pathway · on-ramp · threshold · beginning · initiation
- substance abuseaddiction, abuse, alcohol abuse, substance use, substance misuse
- addictionaddiction, substance abuse, substance dependency, substance use disorder, alcoholism
gateway drughard drug
Potent, addictive illegal substance
rock bottom · hard drugs · heroin · fentanyl · crack cocaine
gateway drugsobriety
Unimpaired mental state
abstinence · straightedge · clean living · teetotalism · clean
gateway drugrecovery program
Systematic return to wellness
rehab · detox · intervention · off-ramp · harm reduction
gateway, drug, gate, drugs, gated, gating, gates, ways, drugged