Nicotine Addiction (Tobacco Use Disorder)

Nicotine is a chemical present in tobacco that releases dopamine in the brain and gives rise to pleasing effects. It is a stimulant that makes one feel excited, high, and so on. These feelings are temporary, which is why people keep going back to it for more and more. Just that one more cigarette. Before long, it leads to nicotine addiction or tobacco use disorder.
 
At the NuView Treatment Center, we provide comprehensive support for our clients suffering from nicotine addiction. Our personalized treatment plans include behavioral therapies, counseling, medication, and ongoing support to help them break free from their dependence on tobacco.

What Is Nicotine Dependence?

Nicotine is found in tobacco products like cigarettes. It is a stimulant that gives rise to heightened feelings of excitement, exhilaration, and well-being. These are pleasing effects, hence people keep going back to nicotine to experience these feelings again. Soon, the body gets used to nicotine and cannot function properly without its regular dose of nicotine. This is what is known as “nicotine dependence.” Nicotine dependence often leads to nicotine addiction.

Nicotine dependence is of two types – physical dependence and psychological dependence.

• With physical dependence, if the body does not receive its regular dose of nicotine, one begins to experience withdrawal symptoms. These are discomforting feelings like restlessness and frustration.

• On the other hand, psychological dependence is the persistent need for nicotine to carry on with day-to-day activities.

Signs and Symptoms of Nicotine Dependence

Nicotine dependence develops very quickly, as nicotine is a highly addictive substance. It can then lead to nicotine addiction, as the body keeps needing more and more of it. Therefore, some signs and symptoms to watch out for are as follows:

Smoking is very difficult to quit. Even if the person has tried once or twice, they just seem unable to quit smoking cigarettes or consuming other tobacco products.

Cognitive dissonance. People know that smoking is bad for health, yet despite this, they continue smoking leading to lung problems and other health issues.

Withdrawal symptoms. As the body gets used to nicotine, if there is a lack of nicotine, it gives rise to very unpleasant feelings. These can range from cravings, irritability, frustration, agitation, lowered mood, insomnia, and hunger, to diarrhea.

Development of nicotine tolerance. It refers to needing larger amounts of nicotine to experience the same effects and feel content.

Prioritizing nicotine consumption. Without nicotine, as the body experiences withdrawal symptoms, people generally tend to prioritize nicotine use over everything else in life to the point that they give up even the activities they once enjoyed, like social activities.

Get Started With Nuview Treatment Center

Our dedicated professional staff is here to guide you or your loved one on the journey to lasting recovery, offering support every step of the way.

(323) 307-7997

Causes of Nicotine Dependence

To understand the causes of nicotine dependence, the first thing to know is that nicotine is a highly addictive substance. It is in its nature to lead to dependence quickly. However, there are certain risk factors as well that might make one more prone to developing nicotine dependence than others.

• Genetics –

  Genes play a role in the receptors in the brain respond to nicotine. Some can have an incredible experience, leading to nicotine dependence.

• Environment –

  If a person has grown up with a family or has friends who use nicotine, then it is likely that they are also going to take up smoking themselves, leading to nicotine dependence.

• Mental Health Challenges –

  If a person already suffers from mental health challenges, like anxiety or depression, then they have a higher chance of using nicotine.

• Other Substances –

  The use of other substances like alcohol or marijuana can also lead to higher rates of tobacco use.

Why Does Nicotine Dependence Occur?

Nicotine releases dopamine, which leads to the experience of a dopamine rush. This gives rise to exhilarating feelings that the person wants more of.

• When nicotine is inhaled, it affects the brain by increasing dopamine and noradrenaline. This elevates mood and focus and is very pleasing for a person who smokes.

• Nicotine’s effects on the mind and body are temporary. They wear off pretty quickly, so there is the urge to keep using nicotine to experience these effects.

• The body develops a tolerance for nicotine, where the person needs to consume greater amounts of nicotine to experience the same effects again and feel satisfied.

• Lack of nicotine leads to withdrawal symptoms, which are highly unpleasant feelings. To curb these feelings, the person feels the need to use nicotine.

• The daily routine can trigger the urge to have nicotine. In the morning, especially, while using the restroom, drinking coffee, and so on.

Why Is Nicotine Addictive?

Nicotine is incredibly addictive making nicotine addiction a real risk for those who use nicotine. The reason once nicotine is inhaled or consumed by chewing tobacco, it gets absorbed into the bloodstream. It only takes mere seconds for this. Once it reaches the brain via the bloodstream, it leads to a dopamine rush.

Dopamine is the feel-good hormone or the pleasure hormone, and it leads to exhilarating feelings and an increased sense of well-being. These feelings are only temporary, however. Therefore, if someone uses nicotine, they often experience the urge to use more and more of it to feel the same pleasurable feelings again and again.

How Long Does It Take Nicotine To Reach Your Brain?

It only takes a meager 10 – 20 seconds for nicotine to reach the brain. Once nicotine enters the body, it quickly gets absorbed into the bloodstream and is distributed in the body. It then crosses the blood-brain barrier and reaches the brain within 10 to 20 seconds.

Once it reaches the brain, nicotine binds to the target receptors known as nicotinic acetylcholine receptors or nAChRs. This action leads to the release of a wide range of neurotransmitters in the brain, most specifically dopamine. Therefore, people tend to experience a rise of pleasurable feelings and this is what makes nicotine very addictive.

Get Started With Nuview Treatment Center

Start Your Journey

Health Risks of Nicotine Dependence

Nicotine dependence is a dangerous condition, as it leads to many health risks. Some of them are as follows:

• Lung Cancer –

  The biggest risk of nicotine is lung cancer, as the leading cause of lung cancer is cigarette smoking.

• Other Cancers –

  Nicotine dependence increases the risk of other cancers, especially cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, and even kidney and pancreas, among others.

• Tooth and Gum Problems –

  Smoking can lead to inflammation of the gums and gum infections, which then can lead to problems for the teeth, especially periodontitis – an inflammation of tissues and bone surrounding the teeth.

• Diabetes –

  Smoking leads to insulin resistance, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

• Heart Diseases –

  Smoking leads to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, and even heart attack and stroke.

• Sexual Dysfunctions –

  Among men, smoking can increase the chances of impotency. Among women, it can increase the chances of infertility.

• Pregnancy-Related Complications –

  Smoking can increase the risk of preterm delivery and also lower birth weight in babies.

Diagnosis of Nicotine Dependence

Nicotine dependence is all too big a risk for physical and mental health. It can lead to nicotine addiction and worse. Therefore, diagnosis of nicotine dependence is the first step to management and treatment.

• The development of nicotine tolerance, which is the need to consume larger amounts of nicotine.

• Lack of nicotine leads to withdrawal symptoms, ranging from irritability, agitation, anxiety, and insomnia to nausea and diarrhea.

• The pervasive need to use nicotine, which sees prioritizing nicotine over other things in life. Even over family, friends, and career.

• A diminished interest in social and recreational activities, as nicotine consumes life.

• A desire to cut down nicotine use, however, being unsuccessful in those attempts.

Apart from the above, healthcare practitioners also ask people to fill up questionnaires to understand how dependent they are on nicotine. The number of cigarettes they smoke in a day and how quickly they reach for the cigarette after waking up gives an idea of the extent of nicotine dependence.

Treatment for Nicotine Dependence

Treatment for nicotine dependence has high success rates, and they include behavioral therapies and medication.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness therapy, and motivational interviewing are among the most commonly used behavioral therapies for nicotine dependence.

• Counseling, both one-on-one and group sessions, equips clients with techniques to quit smoking.

Apart from behavioral therapies and counseling, medications are also used in the treatment of nicotine dependence:

• Nicotine Replacement Therapy, wherein over-the-counter medications like gums, lozenges, and patches are used to stimulate the brain in the same manner as it responds to nicotine.

• Bupropion is also a medication that decreases the absorption of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.

• Varenicline stimulates alpha-4 beta-2 nicotinic receptor in the brain, and by doing so, it reduces nicotine cravings.

Start Your Personalized Treatment Plan

Our dedicated professional staff is here to design a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs, guiding you or your loved one on the journey to lasting recovery.

(323) 307-7997

Frequently Asked Questions

Can nicotine addiction be cured?

Yes, nicotine addiction is a treatable condition. It can be treated and cured with behavioral therapies and FDA-approved medication.

Can your brain recover from nicotine addiction?

The brain can recover from nicotine addiction. It is going to be uncomfortable for some time, where one might have difficulty with focus and sleep, and also experience strong urges. But with treatment, recovery is possible.

Is nicotine harmful on its own?

Nicotine is harmful on its own, it increases adrenaline and blood pressure, which can lead to a heart attack as well. However, when combined with tobacco, it becomes addictive.