When a person requires and cannot stop using nicotine, it is called nicotine dependence. A specific chemical in tobacco that makes it difficult to stop taking it is called nicotine. It also produces temporary pleasing effects in the brain that usually cause it to want another cigarette.
Furthermore, the more you smoke, the more nicotine is needed to feel the same pleasure. Commonly, when people try to quit smoking, they experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms that may cause mental and physical changes.
Commonly, it does not matter how long you have smoked, health improvements may happen once you quit. While it is not easy to break the nicotine dependence, your healthcare professional may help because there are multiple treatment options available.
Symptoms
Sometimes, even short-term smoking may cause nicotine dependence. Check some signs below that mean you are addicted:
- Inability to stop smoking – It means unsuccessful tries to quit smoking.
- Experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop – Tries to stop using tobacco products causes physical and mood symptoms including intense cravings, irritability, restlessness, difficulty focusing and concentrating, anxiety, frustration, anger, increased hunger, insomnia (sleeping disturbances), constipation, diarrhea, and others.
- Continue smoking nonetheless health problems – Inability to stop smoking even if you developed heart or lung problems.
- You give up social activities – For instance, do not visit smoke-free restaurants or interrupt socializing with your friends or family because you cannot smoke in these situations.
However, it is recommended to not worry if you tried to quit smoking and cannot do it for long periods. More than 50% of people have multiple tries until they achieve long-term smoking abstinence. Anyway, if you face problems with smoking cessation, it is advised to visit a doctor for a treatment plan that will significantly increase your chances of success.
Causes
The nicotine is released from tobacco when you smoke and quickly reaches the brain. Therefore, it increases the brain chemicals release (also called neurotransmitters) that are responsible for mood and behavior regulation. One of many neurotransmitters is called Dopamine and it is released in the reward center of the brain. Dopamine is a chemical that causes pleasure feelings and improves mood. Over time, the amount of nicotine you need to feel pleasure increases making you smoke even more. Moreover, it may fast become a part of your daily routine along with your feelings and habits. Check below the most common triggers for smoking:
- Drinking alcohol or coffee
- Breaks at work or talking on the phone
- Spending time with friends
- Driving the car
It is recommended to make a plan on how to deal with smoking triggers if you planning to quit smoking. Discuss with your healthcare professional for more details.
Risk Factors
Anyone who uses tobacco products may develop nicotine dependence. Check below some factors that may increase the risk of developing the condition. Examples include:
- Age – Usually, people begin to smoke in their teen years or childhood, which significantly increases the risk of developing this addiction.
- Genetics – Some genetic factors may influence how the brain’s receptors respond to nicotine. Therefore, it increases the chances that you will begin to use tobacco products.
- Parents – Those who have smoking parents or friends are more likely to try tobacco products.
- Mental disorders – As per studies, people with depression or other mental health problems (including post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia) are more likely to smoke.
- Substance use disorder – Misuse of alcohol or street drugs also increases the risk of using tobacco products.
What Are The Complications of Nicotine Dependence?
Cigarettes have many chemical substances that may cause cancer along with other thousands of harmful ones. However, even herbal cigarettes have harmful chemicals. Check below some complications that may occur in people who smoke, especially for long periods:
- Lung disease or cancer – Tobacco products are one of the leading causes of lung cancer deaths. Moreover, it also may cause lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and others.
- Other cancers – Smoking also may increase the risk of other cancer types including cancer of the mouth, throat (pharynx), esophagus, larynx, bladder, pancreas, kidneys, cervix, and others. Additionally, roughly 30% of all cancer deaths are caused by smoking.
- Heart and circulatory system issues – Cigarette use can increase your risk of heart and blood vessel disease such as myocardial infarctions, strokes, and others.
- Diabetes – Insulin resistance increases with smoking. As a result, it may lead to type 2 diabetes. Thus, this complication may cause kidney disease, eye problems, and others.
- Eye problems – Serious eye conditions may occur in people who smoke. These include loss of eyesight caused by macular degeneration, cataracts, and others.
- Infertility and impotence – The risk of infertility and erectile dysfunction (ED) elevates significantly with smoking.
- Pregnancy complications – If a pregnant women smoke during pregnancy, the risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight increases.
- Respiratory infections – An increased risk of colds, the flu, bronchitis, and other respiratory infections is elevated compared to people who do not smoke.
- Tooth and gum disease – Inflammation of the gum that destroys the system that supports teeth (periodontitis).
Furthermore, people who are around smokers (secondhand smokers) also are at increased risk of heart disease and lung cancer. If a child has parents who smoke cigarettes are more likely to develop ear infections, colds, and asthma.
How to Prevent Nicotine Dependence?
The only way to prevent this addiction is to not use any tobacco products. Some research showed that children whose parents do not smoke are less likely to begin using tobacco products.
Diagnosis
First, doctors will use a questionnaire to determine how dependent you are on nicotine. Therefore, it helps prescribe the best treatment for you. The nicotine dependence is usually measured by the amount of cigarettes you smoke after awakening.
Treatment
While most smokers have at least one try to quit, usually it is not possible to quit smoking completely after the first try. However, most people need medicines and counseling for smoking cessation.
Medicines
Smoking cessation products also are known as nicotine replacement therapy because contain it. While some of them need a prescription, others are over-the-counter (OTC). There are two medications approved for quitting smoking by both are prescription medicines.
Nicotine replacement therapy helps people reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. You can buy some OTC quit-smoking products but it is recommended to consult with your doctor before taking any medications.
Counseling
This procedure is used to learn specific techniques to give up smoking for good along with medications. However, more intensive treatment options for smoking cessation also are available. For more details, consult with your healthcare provider.
In addition, you should not find a nicotine replacement to stop smoking because rather you’ll use both products than quit. Check below some methods you should avoid if you plan to quit smoking:
- Smokeless tobacco
- Dissolvable tobacco products
- Cigars and pipes
- Hookahs
- Nicotine balms or lollipops
Frequently Asked Questions
What are factors that may elevate your risk of developing nicotine dependence?
These include:
- Substance misuse (including alcohol, marijuana, and others)
- Mental health problems
- Beginning to smoke at a younger age
- Genetics
What are the most common symptoms of nicotine dependence?
Usually, people do not know they have this addiction, thinking they can leave anytime. Check below the most common symptoms of nicotine dependence:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Insomnia (sleeping problems)
- Increased hunger
- Anger
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Intense cravings
- Trouble concentrating or focusing
If you notice any of the previous symptoms, do not hesitate to see a doctor.
What are the possible complications of nicotine dependence?
Without treatment, this addiction may cause additional health problems. Check below some complications:
- Different cancer types
- Irritability
- Weight gain
- Cardiovascular disease
- Respiratory tract infections
- Diabetes
- Periodontitis
- Cataracts
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence
- Infertility
- Anxiety disorders
This document does not contain all possible complications of nicotine dependence. For more details, discuss it with your healthcare provider.
