Understanding Tobacco Addiction
- Tobacco contains nicotine, which is a powerful and highly addictive substance. Tobacco use delivers nicotine to the brain very rapidly and effectively, bringing on the rapid onset and maintenance of addiction. The resulting physiological need for tobacco, as well as the accompanying psychological need, explains the continuing use of tobacco products in spite of all known health risks (Click here to go to the Health Effects section).
- Nicotine dependence consists of both physical and behavioural components. Tobacco use triggers the release of dopamine – a chemical in the brain that is associated with feelings of pleasure (relief of withdrawal symptoms). Smokers need greater and greater amounts of nicotine to achieve the same levels of satisfaction. Further smoking alleviates the withdrawal symptoms that set in as soon as the effects of nicotine wear off.
- Smoking cessation is not a single event but a process that involves a change in lifestyle, values, social circles, thinking and feeling patterns and coping skills.
- Most researchers agree that individual smokers differ in the degree to which they are dependent.
- Studies have shown that tobacco is as addictive as heroin or cocaine.
Last Revised/Reviewed
Thursday, 2008-04-10 1:56 PM