Nicotine Dependence

Nicotine dependence is a condition caused by addiction to nicotine, a substance found in tobacco, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars and pipes tobacco. It causes the brain to want more and more tobacco so that tobacco consumption increases or stays at the highest level possible. There are bad effects on the body when the nicotine is withdrawn, especially when it is withdrawn abruptly.

The body responds positively immediately to the institution of nicotine into the body. Arteries of the body constrict and there is an imbalance between the demand and supply for oxygen in the body. The narrowing of the blood supply and increased atherosclerosis over time can cause the nicotine to lead to a heart attack. Smoking also increases the risk of clotting so there is a greater chance of having a heart attack.

The symptoms of withdrawal from nicotine include impatience, irritability, anxiety, hostility, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, decreased heart rate, restlessness and increased weight gain or appetite. You know you are addicted to nicotine when you can't seem to stop smoking, even if you want to or try to stop smoking, you have symptoms of withdrawal when you try to stop smoking, you smoke even though you have health problems related to smoking and you give up recreational activities or social activities in order to smoke instead. You might, for example, stop going to smoke-free activities or restaurants in order to be able to smoke more.

You can try to stop smoking on your own using the methods as described below or you can see the doctor for advice and medications to try and stop smoking. If you haven't had long term success with anti-smoking techniques, it is time to see the doctor for advice and support. There are support groups for anti-smoking that you might want to look into if you feel you need help.

Nicotine increases the release of positive-feeling neurotransmitters in the brain so you feel good when you're smoking. Dopamine is the main neurotransmitter that is released by the administration of nicotine. About 85-90 percent of nicotine is metabolized by your liver and then released from the body through the kidneys. The half life of nicotine is about 2 hours so it is about 2-4 hours before you need another cigarette under normal circumstances. Nicotine remains in the body at some level about 6-8 hours after the smoking has stopped.

There are behavioural as well as neurological or physiological reasons behind having a nicotine addiction. You often smoke at certain times of the day, such as after a meal or when drinking alcohol. You smoke with certain friends or during breaks at work. These are the visual cues and sociological cues that trigger nicotine use. Most people find reasons to smoke all day long. Stress can increase the risk of smoking addiction and nicotine dependence. The younger you are when you start smoking, the harder it is to stop smoking. If you have a parent that smokes, you are at a greater risk of being a smoker yourself. If your friends smoke, you are more likely to become a smoker, too. Other factors that contribute to nicotine dependence include genetics, which may play a role, having substance abuse, depression or another mental illness. Smoking may be a way of self medicating certain mental illness symptoms.

Treatment of nicotine dependence can be just brute force of will, going through withdrawal symptoms that gradually go away, leaving you free of tobacco. You can use one of many types of nicotine replacement mechanisms, which can be through gum, lozenges or patches applied to the skin that release nicotine into your system, allowing you to have an easier time stopping smoking so you gradually can taper down on your nicotine consumption. There are also nicotine nasal sprays and nicotine inhalers that work to reduce your dependence on smoking.

Non-nicotine medications include buproprion, which reduces your degree of cravings, Chantix, which acts on the brain's nicotine receptors to reduce your feelings of pleasure when you smoke, nortryptyline, which is an antidepressant that has been shown to help people stop smoking and clonidine.

Personal support, such as with a support group or help line, can make the process easier and can keep you on the committed path to quit smoking.