There has long been a debate about whether marijuana is a gateway drug, but what about regular cigarettes? Studies have shown that as many as 75% of adults with substance use disorders also have a history of cigarette smoking. Nicotine may cause increased cravings for stimulants and opiates. If you continue to smoke or begin smoking cigarettes after recovery from illicit drug use you should know that it has been linked to an increased likelihood of substance use relapse.
At the end of a three-year study, smokers were determined to have about twice the odds of relapsing to drug use compared to nonsmokers. Those numbers remained consistent even after taking into account factors like anxiety, alcohol abuse, and nicotine dependence.
Results showed that those who had smoked cigarettes were more likely to use illegal drugs. The 65.8 percent of participants who had smoked at some point were seven times more likely to have tried marijuana, seven times more likely to have tried cocaine, 14 times more likely to have tried crack, and 16 times more likely to have tried heroin. People aged 12 to 15 who smoked cigarettes were 44 times more likely to use crack. Cocaine, whether in powder or crack form, was the drug most likely to be used among young smokers.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse conducted a study where mice were exposed to nicotine in their drinking water for 7 days. These mice were found to exhibit more addiction-like behaviors and brain patterns when introduced to cocaine, as opposed to mice that had never had nicotine. Researchers discovered that nicotine actually changed the structure of DNA. Their hypothesis was that a person’s initial use of an addictive substance sensitizes his or her brain to the rewarding and addictive effects of other substances. They then studied data on humans and discovered that the rate of cocaine dependence was 20 percent among respondents who were current smokers when they initiated cocaine use and six percent among respondents who had never smoked or had stopped smoking before they first took cocaine.
On a less scientific note, proponents of the gateway theory argue that it’s only logical that a person who uses one drug to relax or feel better – in this case, nicotine – will eventually try another. Cigarettes are socially acceptable, and much like alcohol, there’s no stigma attached to their use among teens or young adults. Smoking before age 18 is also a law that’s so frequently ignored that most people don’t hesitate to break it. In theory, this could lead to a lax attitude about the law in general.
On a related topic, e-cigarettes, which were once touted as a safer alternative, might actually be a stepping stone on the road to nicotine use by teens. A study at the University of California San Francisco found that adolescents who used the devices were more likely to smoke cigarettes and less likely to quit smoking.
If you need assistance with drug or alcohol abuse, contact Asana Recovery. We have a medical detox as well as both residential and outpatient programs that provide education, counseling, and therapy. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to find out how we can help.
