Nicotine Addiction & Dependence: Symptoms, Effects, Treatment

Nicotine Addiction

Tobacco is among the most often misused substances worldwide; it is extremely addictive and may undoubtedly lead to nicotine dependence. Although consumption seems to be declining in the United States, tobacco smoking remains the most significant avoidable cause of illness, impairment, and death in the country.

As with any other substance, prolonged cigarette use may result in physical and psychological dependence on nicotine. Further, this also applies to smokeless tobacco products, such as snuff, tobacco chewing, and vaping, since nicotine is present in the majority of vapes.

Smoking harms practically every organ in the body, producing many illnesses and significantly impacting smokers' health. Yet, quitting smoking provides immediate and long-term advantages for you and your family.

Nicotine dependency occurs when one requires nicotine and can't stop consuming it. Moreover, nicotine is an addictive ingredient in tobacco, and nicotine temporarily increases brain pleasure. Hence, you smoke again. So, the greater you smoke, you need greater nicotine to make you feel good.

You can't quit smoking. However, you've tried to stop but failed.
Quitting smoking causes withdrawal symptoms.
Your efforts to quit have brought intense cravings, anxiety, irritation, restlessness, problems focusing, low mood, frustration, rage, increased appetite, sleeplessness, constipation, or diarrhea.
Despite health difficulties, you smoke. With lung or heart conditions, you still smoke.
You quit socializing. You skip smoke-free restaurants, for example. Because you can't smoke, you may quit socializing with your family and friends.

Effects of Nicotine Addiction

Smokers are more likely to acquire and die from certain illnesses than nonsmokers. Further, you may not understand how several health problems smoking brings.

Lung cancer and lung disease: Smoking causes most lung cancer fatalities. Further, smoking causes emphysema and chronic bronchitis and worsens asthma.
Other cancers: Smoking increases the risk of throat, mouth, esophagus, larynx, pancreas, bladder, kidney, cervix, and leukemia. Further, smoking also causes 30% of cancer deaths.
Cardiovascular issues: Smoking raises your chances of cardiovascular disorders, particularly heart attacks and strokes. Further, it affects heart or blood vessel diseases, including heart failure.
Smoking may cause type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin resistance. Also, diabetes consequences, including renal disease and vision difficulties, might be accelerated by smoking.
Poor vision: Smoking increases the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
Infertility/impotence: Smoking reduces women's fertility and men's virility.
Pregnancy complications: Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth and low birth weight.
Periodontal disease: Smoking increases the risk of gum inflammation or infection, which may weaken the tooth's support (periodontitis).

Nicotine Addiction Treatment

With today’s rise in health awareness, many smokers, chewers, dippers, and vapors attempt to quit smoking, chewing, vaping and nicotine use altogether. However, quitting entirely on the first attempt might be rare, particularly without help. Therefore, in addition to nicotine patches and gum, medications, self-help groups, psychotherapy, meditation, exercise, prayer and even hypnotherapy have proven to help you quit, particularly when used together.

Medications reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, while behavioral therapy helps you with the skills that will help you become completely nicotine free. Also, therapy with a counselor may help improve treatment outcomes.

Addictions and Disorders

Treatment Centers

Recovery Programs

Find a Meeting

Recovery Speakers

More

Recovery Literature

Recovery Resources