{"id":18798,"date":"2025-03-09T17:48:51","date_gmt":"2025-03-09T16:48:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/?p=18798"},"modified":"2025-05-20T19:12:05","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T18:12:05","slug":"drinking-alcohol-can-lead-to-other-substance-use-addiction-experts-warn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/2025\/03\/drinking-alcohol-can-lead-to-other-substance-use-addiction-experts-warn\/","title":{"rendered":"Drinking alcohol can lead to other substance use, addiction experts warn"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"article-header\">\n<div class=\"article-meta article-meta-upper\">\n<h2 class=\"sub-headline speakable\">Consumption of alcoholic beverages could make people more likely to experiment with other drugs<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-byline\"><span class=\"author-headshot\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/340\/340\/p1041678-scaled.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Melissa Rudy\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-byline\">by Melissa Rudy\u00a0<span class=\"article-source\">Fox News\u00a0 &#8211; <\/span><span class=\"article-date\">Published\u00a0<time>March 2, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-meta article-meta-lower\">\n<div class=\"article-social\">\n<div class=\"social-icons\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"article-content-wrap sticky-columns\">\n<div class=\"article-content\">\n<div class=\"article-body\">\n<div class=\"featured featured-video video-ct\" data-v-5b44a610=\"\">\n<div class=\"contain\" data-v-5b44a610=\"\">\n<div class=\"video-container\" data-v-5b44a610=\"\">\n<div class=\"m video-player\" data-video-tags=\"fnd|original,primary_health,lifestyle|drinks,health|mental_health|drug_substance_abuse,lifestyle|drinks|spirits,health|cancer,3play_processed\" data-video-title=\"Longevity doctor reacts to alcohol cancer advisory: \u2018It\u2019s about time\u2019\" data-video-id=\"6366815648112\" data-video-domain=\"foxnews\" data-video-type=\"CLIP\" data-widget-type=\"embed\" data-v-5b44a610=\"\" data-embed-uid=\"fnc-embed-2\">\n<div class=\"video-container\">Longevity doctor reacts to alcohol cancer advisory: \u2018It\u2019s about time\u2019<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" data-v-5b44a610=\"\">\n<div class=\"caption\" data-v-5b44a610=\"\">\n<p data-v-5b44a610=\"\">Following the U.S. surgeon general\u2019s new advisory warning of alcohol\u2019s link to multiple cancers, Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity doctor, speaks with Fox News Digital about alcohol&#8217;s toxic effects on the brain and body.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"speakable\">A vast majority of American adults say they have\u00a0consumed alcohol\u00a0at some point \u2014 yet experts warn that alcoholic beverages could be a &#8220;gateway drug&#8221; to more harmful substances.<\/p>\n<p class=\"speakable\">More than 84% of adults in the U.S. report having drunk alcohol in their lifetime, according to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).<\/p>\n<p>That same survey found that among underage Americans (12 to 17 years of age), more than 21% had consumed alcohol.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is a \u2018gateway drug&#8217;?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Dr. Kenneth Spielvogel, senior medical officer at Carrara Treatment in California, defined a &#8220;gateway drug&#8221; as a substance that exposes someone to other drugs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/343\/192\/man-drinking-liquor.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/686\/384\/man-drinking-liquor.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/672\/378\/man-drinking-liquor.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1344\/756\/man-drinking-liquor.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/931\/523\/man-drinking-liquor.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1862\/1046\/man-drinking-liquor.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/720\/405\/man-drinking-liquor.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1440\/810\/man-drinking-liquor.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1200\/675\/man-drinking-liquor.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Man drinking alcohol\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p>More than 84% of adults in the U.S. report having drunk alcohol in their lifetime, according to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.\u00a0(iStock)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Marijuana is often pegged as a &#8220;classic gateway drug,&#8221; he told Fox News Digital, as it can lead to cocaine, heroin and other &#8220;harder drugs&#8221; that present a greater threat to loss of life via impaired driving and other volatile behaviors.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"pull-quote\">\n<p class=\"quote-text\">&#8220;Alcohol maintains a firm grip on a large portion of the adult population.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Any substance that impairs judgment is potentially a gateway drug, in my opinion \u2014 however, alcohol is the king of this,&#8221; Spielvogel said. &#8220;It maintains a firm grip on a large portion of the adult population.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I personally have seen the ravages of this \u2014 hungover victims turn to meth, cocaine and other drugs for the \u2018pick me up\u2019 they feel they need.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Why alcohol can be a \u2018gateway\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>For many young people, alcohol is the first substance they try, according to Chris Tuell, a clinical psychotherapist and a chemical and behavioral addiction specialist at the Lindner Center in Mason, Ohio. This makes them more likely to experiment with other drugs later.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Most people can\u00a0use alcohol\u00a0and it does not become problematic \u2014 but for some, it is destroying their lives,&#8221; he said in an interview with Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/343\/192\/smoking-marijuana.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/686\/384\/smoking-marijuana.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/672\/378\/smoking-marijuana.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1344\/756\/smoking-marijuana.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/931\/523\/smoking-marijuana.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1862\/1046\/smoking-marijuana.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/720\/405\/smoking-marijuana.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1440\/810\/smoking-marijuana.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1200\/675\/smoking-marijuana.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Smoking marijuana\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p>Marijuana is often pegged as a &#8220;classic gateway drug,&#8221; but one expert said that &#8220;alcohol is the king&#8221; when it comes to impairing judgment.\u00a0(iStock)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Consumption of alcohol impairs judgment and decision-making, which can lead to riskier behaviors, including trying other substances, Tuell noted.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Studies indicate that alcohol alters brain chemistry in ways that increase susceptibility to\u00a0drug addiction,&#8221; the expert cautioned.<\/p>\n<p>Jeremy Klemanski, addiction specialist and CEO of Gateway Foundation in Chicago, echoes his belief that alcohol is a gateway drug.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We often hear reports from patients that they only use or started using while drinking, or that they were first exposed to alcohol and then tried other drugs for greater\u00a0physical symptoms\u00a0and feelings,&#8221; he told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/343\/192\/Friends-Cheers-Drinks.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/686\/384\/Friends-Cheers-Drinks.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/672\/378\/Friends-Cheers-Drinks.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/1344\/756\/Friends-Cheers-Drinks.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/931\/523\/Friends-Cheers-Drinks.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/1862\/1046\/Friends-Cheers-Drinks.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/720\/405\/Friends-Cheers-Drinks.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/1440\/810\/Friends-Cheers-Drinks.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/1200\/675\/Friends-Cheers-Drinks.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"friends with drinks\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p>Research from the National Institute of Drug Abuse suggests that early exposure to alcohol can &#8220;prime the brain&#8221; for heightened responses to other drugs.\u00a0(iStock)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;It is also important to note that once a person has used one mind-altering substance, their general thinking skills are impaired on some level,&#8221; he went on. &#8220;Other things they might not normally do become easier to justify or accept as an idea to act on.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>There is also a neurological element that comes into play, according to Dr. David Campbell, clinical director and program director at Recover Together Bend in Oregon.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Alcohol affects neurotransmitter systems that are involved in the reward pathways that are similarly targeted by other drugs,&#8221; he told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<p>Research from the National Institute of Drug Abuse suggests that early exposure to alcohol can &#8220;prime the brain&#8221; for heightened responses to other drugs, perhaps increasing the risks of the &#8220;gateway effect,&#8221; Campbell added.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Other factors at play<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Experts emphasized that correlation does not equal causation.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Just because people who use harder drugs often drink alcohol first does not necessarily mean alcohol caused their drug use,&#8221; Tuell noted.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/343\/192\/refusing-beer.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/686\/384\/refusing-beer.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/672\/378\/refusing-beer.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1344\/756\/refusing-beer.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/931\/523\/refusing-beer.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1862\/1046\/refusing-beer.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/720\/405\/refusing-beer.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1440\/810\/refusing-beer.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1200\/675\/refusing-beer.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Refusing beer\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p>&#8220;There are few drugs where the sudden stoppage of their use can be deadly \u2014 alcohol is one of these,&#8221; an addiction specialist warned.\u00a0(iStock)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Campbell agreed, noting that many &#8220;contextual factors and psychosocial stressors&#8221; should be considered within the broader context of someone\u2019s life.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Social environment, stressors, ease and proximity to access, social influences,\u00a0mental health conditions, childhood trauma, genetics and other biological factors may all play a role,&#8221; he told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>When and how to stop<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Spielvogel shared some warning signs that someone may be dependent on alcohol and more susceptible to trying other harmful substances.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;One sign is if they have ever tried to cut down on their drinking and failed,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Also, they may be annoyed when asked about their alcohol consumption.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>People with alcohol dependency may also feel guilty when they drink, or they might consume\u00a0alcoholic beverages\u00a0in the morning, he added.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"pull-quote\">\n<p class=\"quote-text\">&#8220;It is very important that if someone has a use disorder, they seek professional help for their detox and recovery.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Stopping &#8220;cold turkey&#8221; may not be the healthiest route, Spielvogel cautioned.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There are few drugs where the sudden stoppage of their use can be deadly \u2014 alcohol is one of these,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I cannot stress this enough; it is very important that if someone has a use disorder, they seek professional help for their detox and recovery, whether it&#8217;s a private treatment facility or going to a medical professional.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Do not do this on your own.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-bio\">\n<p>Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Source: https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/health\/drinking-alcohol-can-lead-other-substance-use-addiction-experts-warn<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Consumption of alcoholic beverages could make people more likely to experiment with other drugs by Melissa Rudy\u00a0Fox News\u00a0 &#8211; Published\u00a0March 2, 2025 Longevity doctor reacts to alcohol cancer advisory: \u2018It\u2019s about time\u2019 Following the U.S. surgeon general\u2019s new advisory warning of alcohol\u2019s link to multiple cancers, Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity doctor, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73,29,40,19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18798","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-addiction","category-alcohol","category-prevention-research","category-usa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18798","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18798"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18798\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18798"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}