Nicotine, a chemical present in tobacco, is the primary cause of an addiction to cigarettes. Besides dependency on nicotine, smoking and tobacco consumption have long-term health complications, including severe diseases of the heart and lungs. The seriousness of this addiction is seen in that a large number of people who yearn to stop smoking start it again within a few months.
Is Nicotine Popular?
About 18 percent of all deaths in the United States result from the use of tobacco. In addition to affecting the lives of one in five Americans who smoke, nicotine addiction impacts people who do not smoke. The good news, as a survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse tells us, is that the percentage of young Americans who smoke has been steadily declining.
Action on the Body
When you smoke a cigarette, nicotine does not take much time to reach the blood. After reaching the brain within seconds, it gives you a feeling of pleasure by raising the levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter. Furthermore, nicotine causes the release of hormones like epinephrine and stimulates the nervous system. This drug increases temporary alertness, heart rate and blood pressure, and it may relax the muscles of the body.
The Challenges
If you are in the habit of smoking, your body develops withdrawal symptoms when you do not consume nicotine for some time. You may strongly crave nicotine and may feel irritable, inattentive, anxious, depressed and sleepless. Besides pharmacological effects on the brain, the practice of seeing or holding a cigarette or the habit of lighting a cigarette and smoking it are also gratifying for regular tobacco smokers. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, these behavioral effects make the withdrawal more difficult.
Treatment
When you decide to quit smoking, you should seek medical advice. Your physician may suggest Nicotine Replacement Therapy, which refers to using patches or gums that give you small doses of nicotine. This can make the withdrawal of nicotine less difficult for you. Medications that do not contain nicotine may also be prescribed. Behavioral treatments may be coupled with medications to emotionally support you as you fight the addiction. Personalized treatment plans may involve some lifestyle modifications and strategies to fight nicotine craving and manage stress.
Prevention
Because prevention is always preferable to curing an addiction, every individual needs to be informed about the possible dangers of tobacco consumption. According to a report by the Committee on Substance Abuse, published in Pediatrics in 2001, pediatricians should play a major role in increasing the awareness about nicotine addiction in children and parents. Parents should also talk to their children about this addiction and support legislation that limit tobacco consumption.
References
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Tobacco Addiction - Research Report Series
- "Pediatrics;" Tobacco's Toll: Implications for the Pediatrician; Committee on Substance Abuse; 2001
