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Nicotine Cessation

Nicotine Addiction

Nicotine is a deadly, addictive and mood altering drug. Nicotine kills more people in the U.S. than all of the other drugs including alcohol combined. Any client that uses Nicotine will receive a treatment plan that requires that they examine their Nicotine use. Although it is not mandated that clients stop using Nicotine while in the program, we strongly encourage it. Recent research has shown that the relapse rate is lower for addicts and alcoholics if they stop using Nicotine when they first enter recovery.

What are the Common Effects of Nicotine Use?

With each puff of a cigarette, a smoker pulls nicotine into his or her lungs where it is absorbed into the blood. In eight seconds, nicotine is in the brain, changing the way the brain works. This process happens so fast because nicotine is shaped like the natural brain chemical acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is one of many chemicals called neurotransmitters that carry messages between brain cells. Neurons have special spaces called receptors, into which specific neurotransmitters can fit, like a key fitting into a lock. Nicotine locks into acetylcholine receptors in different parts of the brain, rapidly causing changes in the body and brain. Nicotine raises the heart rate and respiration (breathing) rate, and causes more glucose, or blood sugar, to be released into the blood. This might be why smokers feel more alert after smoking a cigarette.

Nicotine also attaches to neurons (brain cells) that release a neurotransmitter called dopamine.

Nicotine stimulates neurons to release unusually large amounts of dopamine. Dopamine stimulates the brain's pleasure and reward circuit, a group of brain structures called the limbic system involved in appetite, learning, memory, and feelings of pleasure. Normally, pleasurable feelings come from food, comfort, and the company of people you love. But smoking cigarettes causes a flood of dopamine in the smoker's brain. It's this flood of dopamine that gives the smoker intense feelings of pleasure.

Normally, neurons reabsorb neurotransmitters after they've done their job of signaling other brain cells. But cigarette smoke causes dopamine to stay in the spaces between neurons called synapses. Researchers don't yet know exactly what component of tobacco smoke blocks the reabsorption of dopamine into neurons.

In 40 minutes, half the effects of nicotine are gone. So smokers get the urge to light up for another dose of the drug. After repeated doses of nicotine, the brain changes. To adjust to too much dopamine, the brain cuts production of the neurotransmitter and reduces the number of some receptors. Now, the smoker needs nicotine just to create normal levels of dopamine in his or her brain. Without nicotine, the smoker feels irritable and depressed. The smoker has trained the limbic system to crave tobacco. Think about how you long for a cold drink on a hot day. Or how you want a sandwich when you are hungry. Craving for tobacco is much stronger.

These changes in the brain and body make nicotine highly addictive. Other addictive drugs of abuse, including heroin and cocaine, cause the same changes in the brain. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals. Besides nicotine, the most dangerous chemicals in cigarette smoke are tar and carbon monoxide. Tar causes lung cancer, emphysema, and bronchial diseases. Carbon monoxide causes heart problems; smokers are at high risk for heart disease. Smokers also have a lessened sense of smell and taste, reduced stamina, and they smell of smoke. Smokers find that their skin ages faster and their teeth turn brown or discolored.

Are there Effective Treatments for Tobacco Addiction?

Yes, extensive research has shown that treatments for tobacco addiction do work. Although some smokers can quit without help, many individuals need assistance in quitting. This is particularly important because smoking cessation can have immediate health benefits. For example, within 24 hours of quitting, blood pressure and chances of heart attack decrease. Long term benefits of smoking cessation include decreased risk of stroke, lung and other cancers, and coronary heart disease. A 35-yearold man who quits smoking will, on average, increase his life expectancy by 5.1 years. Behavioral Treatments Behavioral interventions play an integral role in smoking cessation treatment, either in conjunction with medication or alone. They employ a variety of methods to assist smokers in quitting, ranging from self-help materials to individual cognitive-behavioral therapy. These interventions teach individuals to recognize high-risk smoking situations, develop alternative coping strategies, manage stress, improve problem solving skills, as well as increase social support. Research has also shown that the more therapy is tailored to a person's situation, the greater the chances are for success.

If you or a loved one are having a difficult time with alcohol, drugs, or behavior disorders, please give us a call at 877.235.6131. Our treatment specialists are available to discuss your concerns and answer your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.