This document discusses gateway drugs and their potential to lead to use of more dangerous substances. It defines gateway drugs as those whose habitual use, such as alcohol or marijuana, may lead to addiction to cocaine or heroin due to biological and attitudinal factors. While marijuana is often seen as harmless, its use increases the likelihood of using harder drugs and many marijuana users become addicts. Similarly, while alcohol is widely consumed, it can become part of a routine and lead people to need alcohol to cope, ultimately becoming alcoholics.

1. Gateway drug
Andy Choy

2. Definition
 'Gateway drug' refers to a drug or other ingested
substance, such as alcohol or marijuana, whose
habitual use is thought to lead to the use of very
addictive and dangerous drugs such as cocaine
and heroin. Possible causes are biological
alterations in the brain due to the earlier drug and
similar attitudes of users across different drugs.

3. Marijuana
 Most people who start out using marijuana don’t
plan to end up as hard drug users. After all, pot has
a widespread public image as a “soft” drug, “just a
herb” and a drug that is not addictive. However,
many people getting hooked or suffering an
overdose. Besides, people who use marijuana are
more likely to also use harder drugs like cocaine,
heroin, and ecstasy. Many become drug addicts.

4. Alcohol
 Beer, wine, and liquor of various types are among
the most widely consumed beverages in the United
States, and they are also some of the most
commonly used drugs. People commonly start out
drinking socially, end up making alcohol a part of
their routine and soon find themselves looking for
alcohol for the relief and refuge that they need.
They become alcoholics at last.