Skip to content

READ ABOUT OUR CLINICAL OUTCOME STUDY

Enrollment:   866.457.7590
Facebook page opens in new windowTwitter page opens in new windowLinkedin page opens in new windowYouTube page opens in new windowInstagram page opens in new window
Search:
Red Oak Recovery
Young Adult Rehab in North Carolina
Red Oak Recovery
  • About Us
    • Treatment Plan
    • Therapeutic Outcome Study
    • Dual Diagnosis Outcome study
    • Testimonials
    • Leadership Team
    • Treatment Staff
      • Clinical Team
      • Enrollment and Marketing Team
      • Medical Team
      • Administration
      • Culinary Nutritional Arts
      • Holistic Services
      • Operations Team
    • Careers
    • What To Look For In A Treatment Center
  • Addiction Treatment Programs
    • Men’s Rehab Program
    • Women’s Rehab Program
      • Women’s Substance Use Treatment
    • Adolescent Treatment Program
    • Addiction Therapy Services
      • Adventure Therapy
      • Behavioral Therapy
      • Nutritional Therapy
      • Experiential Therapy
      • Family Therapy
      • Group Therapy
      • Trauma Therapy
      • Psychotherapy
      • Wilderness Therapy
      • Recovery Management
    • Family Counseling
    • Family Therapy Program
    • Individual Counseling
    • Clinical Rehabilitation
    • 12 Step Addiction Recovery
    • What Is Holistic Therapy?
    • Dual Diagnosis Treatment
    • Alcohol Rehab Program
    • Heroin Rehab Program
  • Young Adult Rehab Programs
    • Grief Counseling
    • Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment
      • Co-Occurring Disorders and Dual Diagnosis Treatment
    • Disordered Eating Treatment
    • Mental Health Treatment
    • Anxiety Treatment Program
    • Depression Treatment Center
    • Trauma Treatment
    • Family Program
    • Drug Addiction Treatment
      • Meth Addiction Treatment
      • Cocaine Addiction Treatment
      • Heroin Addiction Treatment
      • Xanax Addiction Treatment
      • Marijuana Addiction Treatment
  • Enrollment
    • Client Application Form
    • Insurance Policies
    • Insurance Verification
    • Referring Professionals
    • Get Help For A Loved One
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Photo Video Tour
  • Careers
  • About Us
    • Treatment Plan
    • Therapeutic Outcome Study
    • Dual Diagnosis Outcome study
    • Testimonials
    • Leadership Team
    • Treatment Staff
      • Clinical Team
      • Enrollment and Marketing Team
      • Medical Team
      • Administration
      • Culinary Nutritional Arts
      • Holistic Services
      • Operations Team
    • Careers
    • What To Look For In A Treatment Center
  • Addiction Treatment Programs
    • Men’s Rehab Program
    • Women’s Rehab Program
      • Women’s Substance Use Treatment
    • Adolescent Treatment Program
    • Addiction Therapy Services
      • Adventure Therapy
      • Behavioral Therapy
      • Nutritional Therapy
      • Experiential Therapy
      • Family Therapy
      • Group Therapy
      • Trauma Therapy
      • Psychotherapy
      • Wilderness Therapy
      • Recovery Management
    • Family Counseling
    • Family Therapy Program
    • Individual Counseling
    • Clinical Rehabilitation
    • 12 Step Addiction Recovery
    • What Is Holistic Therapy?
    • Dual Diagnosis Treatment
    • Alcohol Rehab Program
    • Heroin Rehab Program
  • Young Adult Rehab Programs
    • Grief Counseling
    • Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment
      • Co-Occurring Disorders and Dual Diagnosis Treatment
    • Disordered Eating Treatment
    • Mental Health Treatment
    • Anxiety Treatment Program
    • Depression Treatment Center
    • Trauma Treatment
    • Family Program
    • Drug Addiction Treatment
      • Meth Addiction Treatment
      • Cocaine Addiction Treatment
      • Heroin Addiction Treatment
      • Xanax Addiction Treatment
      • Marijuana Addiction Treatment
  • Enrollment
    • Client Application Form
    • Insurance Policies
    • Insurance Verification
    • Referring Professionals
    • Get Help For A Loved One
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Photo Video Tour
  • Careers

The Most Dangerous Gateway Drugs

You are here:
  1. Home
  2. Addiction
  3. The Most Dangerous Gateway Drugs
AddictionDrug Addictiongateway-drugYoung Adult Treatment Programa young man turns to harder drugs after exposure to gateway drugs like cigarettes
Logo
Added By Red Oak Recovery
Logo
Red Oak Recovery

Meet The Editorial Team

Authored By Sharon Findlay
Dm Generic Profile Pic
Sharon Findlay

read more

Published: January 3, 2023
Updated: January 19, 2023

Young adults experiment with drug use every day. For some, this can be a way to exercise control over their lives and bodies, while for other people, it can be a way to connect with others or respond to peer pressure. Often, using gateway drugs can lead to other drug use and addiction. Knowing and understanding the risks of gateway drugs and signs of drug addiction can help people know when to seek drug addiction treatment.

If a young man in your life is using gateway drugs, call Red Oak Recovery® today. Our holistic substance abuse treatment center serves men ages 18-30 in Asheville, North Carolina. Call us today 866.457.7590 to learn more about holistic addiction treatment at Red Oak Recovery®.

What Are Gateway Drugs?

Some people think gateway drugs are a myth. In reality, gateway drugs are drugs that often lead to other drug use. Gateway drugs are easily accessible and relatively inexpensive across the United States. The four most common gateway drugs are:

Cigarettes

Cigarettes and other tobacco products, including vape pens, contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can lead to other drug use. Like most drugs, when someone becomes dependent on nicotine, they need to smoke frequently to prevent withdrawal symptoms. This can often lead to combining cigarettes with marijuana, alcohol, and other drugs. Cigarette smokers may also be more inclined to try smoking illicit drugs.

Marijuana

Marijuana has been used medicinally and recreationally for centuries. Today, it is relatively accessible and legal in some states. The two main chemicals in cannabis have different effects. CBD does not affect cognition and acts as a painkiller and relaxer, while THC can cause intense sensory experiences and can become addictive. Cannabis use disorder can often lead to other drug use.

Alcohol

Despite being legal, alcohol is not harmless. Those who develop alcohol addiction frequently combine alcohol with other drugs for a stronger effect. Because alcohol impairs judgment, many people try other drugs while drunk.

Prescription Drugs

In some cases, prescription drugs are overprescribed or easy to get from friends or loved ones. Most prescription drugs are highly addictive. Prescription painkillers can lead to heroin or fentanyl use, while Adderall can lead to cocaine and meth use.

While experimenting with drugs and alcohol is a common part of young adulthood, those who begin using gateway drugs as teenagers are more likely to develop severe and dangerous addictions. Continued use of marijuana in young adulthood can lead to cannabis use disorder, which can have serious side effects. In many cases, people combine gateway drugs and experiment with illicit drugs while already using gateway drugs.

Holistic Addiction Treatment for Young Men in Asheville, North Carolina

Gateway drugs should be considered as dangerous as illicit drugs. For many young men, using drugs and alcohol can be a sign of underlying mood disorders. At Red Oak Recovery®, we put holistic health first with a dual diagnosis for addiction recovery. Whether someone is struggling with drugs, alcohol, anxiety, or depression, the team at Red Oak is ready to help.

At Red Oak, we give young men ages 18-30 a safe space to find themselves in the natural world. With wilderness and experiential therapy, men at Red Oak disconnect from their stressful urban lives and reconnect to themselves. Our family therapy program helps loved ones reconnect, change behavioral patterns, and improve communication for a reliable and healthy support system.

What Is Holistic Addiction Treatment?

Holistic addiction treatment is characterized by the treatment of the whole person, not just the obvious symptoms of their addiction. A holistic approach will take into account things like mental and social factors, and when combined with standard treatment protocols can create a safe, comfortable space to begin to heal in.

Examples of holistic addiction treatment programs include:

  • Fitness therapy and nutritional counseling
  • Meditation therapy
  • Art therapy
  • Music or sound therapy
  • Massage therapy
  • Aromatherapy
  • Yoga
  • Adventure therapy
  • Wilderness therapy
  • Breathwork

Holistic treatment options can vary by location, often integrating the surroundings into the therapy. A holistic approach to addiction can be highly beneficial to the recovery process when combined with a traditional course of treatment.

Start Addiction Treatment at Red Oak Recovery® Today

If you or a young man in your life is experimenting with gateway drugs, they may be a sign of a deeper issue. Call Red Oak Recovery® today to find out how we can help. Call our friendly staff now at 866.457.7590 or fill out our online contact form to learn more about the benefits of holistic addiction recovery in North Carolina.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Categories: Addiction, Drug Addiction, gateway-drug, Young Adult Treatment ProgramBy Red Oak RecoveryJanuary 3, 2023
Tags: dangers of gateway drugsgateway drugsmost dangerous gateway drugyoung adult addiction treatment

Post navigation

PreviousPrevious post:Addiction Treatment Centers in Philadelphia, PA vs. Asheville, NCNextNext post:Seeking Alternatives to Young Adult Rehab Programs in Atlanta, GA

Related posts

a young man goes over the risks of adhd medication with his counselor
Is ADHD Medication Addictive?
January 27, 2023
a young man begins dual diagnosis treatment to overcome his addiction and mental health disorder
What Is the Most Common Dual Diagnosis Among Young Adult Men?
January 23, 2023
a young man receives counseling in marijuana addiction treatment for delta 8 abuse
Is Delta-8 and Marijuana the Same Thing?
January 19, 2023
a young man explains how he is benefitting from marijuana addiction treatment
Benefits of Marijuana Addiction Treatment
January 16, 2023
an addiction specialist works with a patient to build their treatment plan
What Is an Addiction Specialist?
January 13, 2023
a young man enrolls in an addiction treatment center in asheville nc
Addiction Treatment Centers in Columbus, GA vs. Asheville, NC
January 12, 2023
Red Oak Recovery NC Rehab Center full logo 250x75
REDEFINING THE CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

CALL US TODAY 866.457.7590

Explore our programs
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Red Oak Recovery® Treatment Programs
  • Addiction Treatment Programs
  • Men’s Rehab Center Program
  • Women’s Rehab Center Program
  • Women’s Substance Abuse Treatment Center
  • Family Therapy Program
  • Family Addiction Counseling
  • Clinical Rehabilitation for Young Adults
  • 12 Step Addiction Recovery Program
  • Holistic Healing Services
  • Addiction Therapy Services
  • Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center
  • Drug Addiction Treatment Center
  • Drug Rehab Center Program
  • Alcohol Rehab Center Program
  • Cocaine Addiction Treatment Center
  • Heroin Addiction Treatment Center
  • Opioid Addiction Treatment Center
  • Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center
  • Adderall Addiction Treatment for Young Adults
  • Men’s Heroin Rehab Center
  • Men’s Alcohol Rehab Center
Contact Red Oak

631 Willow Creek Rd
Leicester, NC 28748

866.457.7590

828.372.4213

admissions@redoakrecovery.com

hr@redoakrecovery.com

TwitterLinkedinInstagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Red Oak Recovery® Mental Health Treatment Programs
  • Young Adult Rehab Programs
  • Mental Health Treatment Center
  • Grief Counseling Program
  • Anxiety Treatment Center
  • Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment Center
  • Depression Treatment Center
  • Disordered Eating Treatment Center
  • Anorexia Treatment Center
  • Bulimia Treatment Center
  • OCD Treatment Center
  • Trauma Treatment Center
  • Adjustment Disorder Treatment Center
  • Behavioral Health Services
  • Adjustment Disorder Treatment Program
  • Mood Disorder Treatment Program
Red Oak Recovery® Addiction Treatment Programs
  • Addiction Treatment Programs
  • Men’s Rehab Program
  • Women’s Rehab Program
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Center
  • Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center
  • Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center
  • Drug Addiction Treatment Center
  • Heroin Addiction Treatment Center
  • Cocaine Addiction Treatment Center
  • Opioid Addiction Treatment Center
  • Adderall Addiction Treatment for Young Adults
ACCREDITATIONS & AFFILIATIONS
NATSAP_Research Designated Program
Association for addiction professionals logo
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities logo
National association of therapeutic schools and programs
NAATP Member Logo Horizontal RGB
NCDHHS FOOTER3
lgbtq flag red oak recovery
The Willows At Red Oak Recovery Sm Logo
Foothills-at-Red-Oak-Recovery-Logo-500
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Red Oak Recovery
SEO and Web Design © Red Oak Recovery | Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Asheville NC Rehab Center | The Willows at Red Oak Recovery | Foothills at Red Oak Recovery |

Receive the Red Oak Experience Today!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn

Clinician-Run Substance Use Treatment For Young Adults

Get clinician-run holistic wellness for addiction recovery at Red Oak.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn