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Nicotine Addiction

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Nicotine Addiction

(Tobacco Use Disorder; Smoking Addiction)

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Definition

Nicotine addiction is when a person becomes dependent on tobacco. Tobacco contains nicotine. Tobacco may be found in:
  • Cigarettes
  • Smokeless tobacco products (eg, snuff, chewing tobacco)
  • Cigars
  • Pipes
This condition can harm a person's health, but it can be treated. Talk to your doctor if you think you have nicotine addiction.

Causes

Nicotine can create feelings of pleasure. But the effects go away within a few minutes. Tobacco users need to keep using tobacco to keep feeling good. This can lead to addiction.

Risk Factors

The following increase your chance of developing nicotine addiction. If you have any of these risk factors, tell your doctor:

Symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to nicotine addiction. They may be caused by other health problems. See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:
  • Nicotine “highs”
    • Increase in blood pressure , blood sugar level, breathing rate, or heart rate
  • Nicotine withdrawal
    • Feeling irritable
    • Having cravings
    • Thinking and attention problems
    • Trouble sleeping
    • Increased appetite
    • Nervousness
    • Headache
  • Tobacco-related health problems
    • Smoker’s cough
    • Hot flashes in women
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If you are addicted to nicotine, you may be at risk for these health problems:

Diagnosis

Your doctor will:
  • Ask about your symptoms and medical history
  • Do a physical exam
  • Test how well your lungs work
He will ask you questions like:
  • How long you have you been using tobacco?
  • How often do you use it?

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment for you. Treatment options include:

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

NRT relieves withdrawal symptoms. NRT products:
  • Nicotine gum
  • Lozenges
  • Nasal sprays
  • Patches
  • Inhalers
The chance of abusing these products is low since NRT does not create "feel good" feelings.
NRT may help you to:
  • Avoid smoking
  • Reduce the amount of tobacco you use
  • Quit and stay smoke-free

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapies include:
  • Counseling
  • Group behavior therapy
  • Telephone quit lines, cell phone programs, and text messaging programs
  • Internet and computer-based programs
  • Self-help classes and manuals
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy —This teaches people to recognize high-risk tobacco situations, develop coping strategies, manage stress, improve problem-solving skills, and increase social support.

Medicines

Certain medicines, like some antidepressants, may help you quit. Some medicines may help ease withdrawal symptoms and block nicotine effects if you start smoking again. One side effect though is that medicines may increase the risk of serious behavior changes.

Secondhand Smoke Exposure

Even if you do not smoke, regularly being around tobacco smoke is dangerous.
  • Secondhand smoke causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke.
  • Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk for:
    • SIDS
    • Lung infections
    • Ear problems
    • Severe asthma
  • Being exposed to secondhand smoke while pregnant can increase the risk of stillbirth and birth defects.
  • Parents who smoke can cause breathing problems and slow lung growth in their children.
  • Secondhand smoke affects the heart and causes coronary heart disease and lung cancer in adults.
Separating smokers from nonsmokers and cleaning the air cannot prevent nonsmokers from inhaling secondhand smoke. But preventing smoking in indoor spaces can protect nonsmokers.

Prevention

The best prevention is to never use tobacco products. They are very addictive. Also, stay away from places where people are smoking.

RESOURCES

American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/

American Lung Association Freedom From Smoking http://www.ffsonline.org/

Smokefree.gov Telephone: 1-800-QUITNOW http://www.smokefree.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Cancer Society http://www.cancer.ca/

The Lung Association http://www.lung.ca/

References

Diagnostic codes (ICD9-CM). Surgeon General website. Available at: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/codes.htm . Accessed September 25, 2006.

Kenfield SA, Stampfer MJ, Rosner BA, Colditz GA. Smoking and smoking cessation in relation to mortality in women. JAMA . 2008;299:2037-2047. In: nicotine addiction. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Accessed May 22, 2008.

Questions about smoking, tobacco, and health. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/ . Accessed September 25, 2006.

Research report series: tobacco addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse website. Available at: http://www.nida.nih.gov/ResearchReports/Nicotine/Nicotine.html . Accessed September 25, 2006.

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Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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