Addiction to Drugs/drug addiction

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Expert: - 3/23/2011


Question
why are cigarretes smokers prone to drug use?

Answer
mmmm ... tricky question.  That is a bit like asking "why are red tomatoes red?" as nicotine is a drug.  So it is kind of like - if you are a smoker you are more likely to be a smoker!  However, I do get what you mean, and assume you are classifying "drugs" as something that is illegal (which is a particularly bad way to classify a drug, but don't get me started on drug legal policy or I will be here all day).  Anyway, I am not sure about the evidence that states a person who smokes is more likely to use illegal drugs, but I guess there is some anecdotal evidence for this.  Perhaps it is related to risk taking in a personality type.  I vehemently avoid the term "gateway" because there isn't much evidence for it.  But I guess that if someone is prepared to take nicotine, they may be more prepared to take alcohol, or whatever else.  I must qualify this answer to say that is isn't "fact", just my thoughts.
I guess I haven't really helped much.  Why do you ask?
Jacqui

Addiction to Drugs

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Jacqui

Experience

Currently a Harm Reduction Adviser for Salvation Centre Cambodia (www.scc.org.kh). Worked in harm reduction in Australia for 10 years. Studied extensively on the topic and have trained others. Psychologist with Clinical Masters. Two significant research projects on drug use (one on HIV risk and its link with trauma and one on drug related stigma).

Organizations
No current formal membership but consider myself a part of the harm reduction community.

Publications
Conference proceedings - IHRC 2004 (Chiang Mai), 2005 (Melbourne) & 2010 (Bangkok). Anex Conference 2005 (Melbourne) Stigma-Pleasure-Practice conference 2006 (Sydney).

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts (Humanities), Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Masters of Psychology (Clinical). And a multitude of training courses including advanced first aid, pre & post test counselling accreditation for HIV, significant amount of training on hepatitis C, etc.

Awards and Honors
Have presented at international conferences including the International Harm Reduction Conferences in Chiang Mai Thailand; Melbourne, Australia and Bangkok, Thailand. Also national conferences in Sydney and Melbourne Australia.

Past/Present Clients
I maintain confidentiality about my clients.

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