Home > Tobacco Use Cessation Program > Didactic Components > Nicotine Addiction
Nicotine Addiction
Drug Addiction Includes the Following:
- Physiological dependence:
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- Tolerance
- Dependence
- Withdrawal symptoms
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- Psychological dependence:
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Smokers continue to smoke for a number of psychological
reasons:
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- Social activity
- Numerous daily rituals
- Family origin and cultural practices
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Human genetics, early family experiences, environmental factors
and societal influences appear to work together in complex ways, to
set the addictive cycle in motion.
At times tobacco can act as a stimulant and at other times
it may produce tranquilizing effects.
Nicotine combines with a number of neurotransmitters in the brain and
may contribute to the following effects:
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Dopamine:
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Pleasure, suppress appetite
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Norepinephrine:
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Arousal, suppress appetite
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Acetylcholine:
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Arousal, cognitive enhancement
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Vasopressin:
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Memory improvement
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Serotonin:
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Mood modulation, suppress appetite
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Beta-endorphin:
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Reduce anxiety / tension
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Tobacco is as addictive as heroin (as a mood & behavior altering agent).
- Nicotine is:
- 1000 X more potent than alcohol
- 10-100 X more potent than barbiturates
- 5-10 X more potent than cocaine or morphine
- A 1-2 pack per day smoker takes 200-400 hits daily for years.
This constant intake of a fast acting drug (which affects mood,
concentration & performance).. eventually produces
dependence.
Pressures to relapse are both behaviorally &
pharmacologically triggered.
Quitting involves a significantly serious psychological loss... a
serious life style change.
Possible withdrawal symptoms
(after stopping tobacco use):
- Irritability, anger, hostility, anxiety, nervousness, panic,
poor concentration, disorientation, lightheadedness, sleep
disturbances, constipation, mouth ulcers, dry mouth, sore
throat-gums- or tongue, pain in limbs, sweating, depression,
fatigue, fearfulness, sense of loss, craving tobacco, hunger, and
coughing (body getting rid of the mucus clogging the lungs).
- Symptoms may last from a few weeks to several months. After
withdrawal subsides... urges for nicotine (for the effects of the
drug) occur in response to all kinds of cues to smoke or
chew.
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