Examples of Gateway Drugs Nicotine. For many young people, nicotine is the first drug they try. Alcohol. Alcohol is another popular gateway drug among both young people and adults. Prescription Opioids. Prescription opioid use is on the rise in the United States. Marijuana. Caffeine. Food. Amphetamine. Inhalant Drugs. Click to see full answer. Similarly, it is asked, what are the two kinds of gateway drugs? Alcohol, marijuana and nicotine are commonly talked about as gateway drugs. In recent years, illicit opioids, prescription drugs and other common substances have joined the category. Nicotine Cocaine. Heroin. Marijuana. how many gateway drugs are there? These are the three most common gateway drugs. They are substances considered by many professionals and organizations to be dangerous. But let’s clarify something here. Consequently, what is considered the gateway drug? Definition of gateway drug. : a drug (such as alcohol or marijuana) whose use is thought to lead to the use of and dependence on a harder drug (such as cocaine or heroin)What are the chemical contents of gateway drugs?Gateway drugs are mild or even legal substances, such as nicotine or alcohol, that can prime a user to try harder drugs, such as heroin or cocaine.