Regarding marijuana, one of the most debated questions is whether it is a gateway drug. A gateway drug is one that serves the user as a first experience in the world of drugs. And, once they have tried this type of substance, they take the step of consuming a stronger drug. Normally, alcohol and marijuana are two of the drugs, one legal and one illegal, that are most accepted. Their acceptance and easy access cause them to be among the first drugs that young people consume.
Marijuana is the most consumed and most accepted illegal drug. Marijuana use can be the beginning of an addiction to this substance, but also to others. At CCAdicciones we have a detoxification treatment so that a marijuana addict can stop using this substance.
Marijuana: Gateway to Other Drugs
Marijuana is one of the most consumed illegal drugs. Despite being an illegal substance, it is socially perceived as a drug with a low risk perception. This is why marijuana is one of the first drugs, along with alcohol, that adolescents consume.
It should be remembered that marijuana DOES constitute a drug, DOES have the potential to create an addiction disorder, and in certain cases DOES serve as a gateway drug. For these reasons, it is important to raise awareness about the risks involved in consuming cannabis.
Is Marijuana a Gateway Drug?
To attempt to answer whether marijuana is a gateway drug, we will examine what different studies and research say. It has been confirmed that young people who use drugs started with alcohol and tobacco. After a period of consuming these substances, they moved on to marijuana. There is a certain tendency to want to experience increasingly stronger sensations. If initially they consumed legal drugs, such as alcohol, they move on to consuming an illegal one: marijuana. After cannabis, they move on to a stronger one, such as cocaine. Entering a spiral of consumption that can lead to polysubstance use.
Researcher Mark Olfson argues in his research that marijuana makes its users want to try other drugs and have twice the risk of developing disorders associated with addictions. Those who defend that marijuana is a gateway drug do so because its consumption affects the brain’s reward system, its functioning, and its structure. This causes the brain to become accustomed to very intense dopamine surges and need a stronger substance to continue experiencing this sensation.
In a contrary opinion, we will find, for example, the authors of JAMA Psychiatry. They argue that there is insufficient evidence to confirm that marijuana use causes addictions. Even so, the changes produced in the brain can indeed provoke more disinhibited behavior that encourages the consumption of other drugs.
The Dangers of Marijuana
Regardless of the debate about whether marijuana is a gateway drug or not, its consumption in itself already causes harmful effects. Health is seriously affected by cannabis addiction. At a psychological level we find that the person can develop mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression or other more serious ones such as schizophrenia. It can even generate memory loss. As for health problems, the most frequent are deterioration of lung tissue, respiratory tract infections, risk of suffering cardiovascular accidents, heart disease, and high heart rate and blood pressure.
Why Quit Cannabis?
It does not matter how many years a person has been consuming marijuana, whether almost their entire life or barely a few months. Quitting cannabis definitively will have benefits and positive repercussions in absolutely all areas of their life. In health, family, friends, work, studies…
Managing to stop cannabis consumption will have benefits at a physical, psychological, and family level. At CCAdicciones we explain what happens when someone quits cannabis:
- Recovery of cognitive abilities, both memory and concentration
- Improvement in the correct perception of time and space
- Reduction of stress on the heart
- Anxiety caused by the consumption of this drug is reduced
- Social relationships improve. Increase in sociability. The person no longer chooses to isolate themselves socially or only relate to individuals who also consume
- Recovery of mental and emotional balance
- Less feeling of fatigue
- More agility and vitality
- Recovers the interest that had been lost with marijuana consumption
Cannabis Detoxification Treatment
Overcoming cannabis addiction is not easy, but it is achievable. At CCAdicciones we know this because 86% of our patients have already achieved it. Our recovery rate is one of the highest currently. CCAdicciones is a detoxification center for overcoming all types of addictions thanks to a treatment recommended by professional experts in the disease of addiction.
In addition, we have treatment centers in different cities in Spain where we help and guide you to begin this detoxification process. Both the patient and their family members will be attended with the utmost discretion and warmth by one of our professionals.
In a first free consultation, the medical and therapeutic team will advise you on the most appropriate type of detoxification treatment in each case. Our goal is to return control of their life to the patient, providing all the necessary support and medical supervision that will allow the complete cessation of cannabis consumption.
Addiction Recovery
Do not hesitate to contact us if you need more information. We have different ways for you to contact us through whichever you feel most comfortable. You can do so by calling the following phone numbers: 977 809 523 or our 24-hour phone at 617 200 882. If you prefer, you can send us an email at the following address: contactosweb@ccadicciones.es or contact us through any of our social networks.
Likewise, you can request a first consultation, which is free, to have an initial contact. We want you to get to know us without any commitment and to only proceed with CCAdicciones if you wish to do so. Finally, through the following page: https://ccadicciones.es/contacto/ or by filling out the form. Remember that there is always a way out.
