The addictive qualities of smoking can be very difficult to overcome. TeensHealth.org reports that nine out of every ten tobacco users began using prior to their 18th birthday. The majority of people who begin smoking as adolescents do not think they will become addicted. Having a smoking addiction can be costly in terms of the smoker's health, the health of those close to her, her success on the job and her finances.
Nicotine
The strongest cause of a smoking addiction is the presence of nicotine in cigarettes. According to the MayoClinic.com, nicotine causes a person to become addicted to cigarettes.
Within seven to ten seconds after cigarette smoke is inhaled, nicotine begins to influence the brain to release the chemical dopamine, which makes the person feel good, notes the MayoClinic.com. This pleasant feeling leaves the smoker wanting more and working to maintain the level of nicotine in their body.
Paired Events
A person's brain creates memory pathways that connect the act of smoking to other things a person does after or while smoking, such as eating, drinking alcohol, taking a break or talking on the phone, according to the MayoClinic.com. These memory pathways trigger a person to smoke every time he engages in these specific activities. The things a person does while smoking will help keep his addiction alive and make him feel the need to smoke, even if his body is not craving nicotine.
Socalization
The addiction to smoking can be induced and perpetuated by socializing with others. When a person has many friends and family members who smoke, the likelihood that she will take up the habit herself is higher. According to HelpGuide.org, regularly interacting with friends, family and co-workers who smoke impedes a person's ability to overcome the addiction and increases the chances of relapse when the smoker stops. To overcome the addiction, smokers need to find a group of non-smoking friends who support their decision to quit.
