Nicotine is a potent drug that occurs naturally in tobacco. Those who become addicted are attached to the drug for various reasons: the euphoric effects as well as psychological and emotional reasons. Those who desire to quit often are deterred by the withdrawal symptoms, which make quitting an unbearable undertaking for most. Smoking cessation products, such as gums and medications, may make it easier.
Euphoric Effects
Nicotine causes euphoric effects to occur in the brain of smokers, similarly to narcotics. In fact, the American Cancer Society (ACS) maintains smoking is as addictive as drugs such as heroin and cocaine. The pleasurable feelings that result may help those who smoke relieve stress and relax. The ACS reports cigarettes act as depressants in the body. For this reason, those who casually smoke or experiment with cigarettes may become easily addicted to the drug, as the feelings make the act enticing. Addiction begins when the smoker continues to smoke and the nervous system adapts to the drug in the body.
Physical Effects
Upon inhaling smoke, the nicotine travels into the lungs and is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. It affects the functioning of the body, including heart rate, hormones and metabolism. Those who smoke regularly maintain levels of nicotine in the blood, to which the body becomes accustomed. When a smoker refrains form smoking for more than a few hours, withdrawal symptoms emerge. He may become ill, irritable, anxious and experience a multitude of adverse effects. All of these symptoms make smoking an extremely difficult habit to break. Many individuals are unable to contend with these effects and reach for their cigarettes to calm cravings and stifle withdrawal symptoms.
Psychological and Emotional Effects
Addiction has many aspects, affecting the body, mind and emotions. Individuals who smoke regularly become psychologically attached to cigarettes. The ACS reports that approximately 70 percent of smokers want to quit, approximately 40 percent attempt to each year but only 4 to 7 percent succeed. The ACS explains that the mental and emotional addictions to the drug are the reason for the difficulty in quitting.
