Health Library

Nicotine Addiction

Definition

Nictotine addiction is when a person becomes dependent on nicotine. Being dependent means there is a physical change in how your body reacts to a substance. Your body will also have a reaction when you stop using the substance.

Nicotine can be found in tobacco products such as cigarettes, snuff, chewing tobacco, cigars, or pipes. Tobacco use is also associated with several serious health conditions, such as:

Throat Cancer
Throat cancer
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Nicotine addition can be treated, often with a combination of treatments.

Causes

Nicotine acts on the brain's chemistry. It creates feelings of pleasure. However, the effects go away within a few minutes. Users will need to continue using nicotine to keep the good feelings going. This cycle can lead to addiction.

Risk Factors

Anyone who uses nicotine products can become addicted to the substance.

Symptoms

Symptoms develop when nicotine is not being used, also known as withdrawal. Symptoms of withdrawal include:

  • Irritability
  • Craving
  • Nervousness
  • Headache
  • Thinking and attention problems
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Increased appetite

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical and smoking history. A physical exam will be done.

Breathing tests may also be done to see how well your lungs are working.

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment may involve one or more therapies. 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

Medication

Some antidepressants and nicotine partial agonists may help you quit. Other medications may help ease withdrawal symptoms or block the effects of nicotine if you start smoking again.

Prevention

The best prevention is to never use tobacco products. Try to avoid places where people are smoking.

Resources

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org
American Lung Association
Freedom From Smokinghttp://www.ffsonline.org
Smokefree
Telephone: 1-800-QUITNOWhttp://www.smokefree.gov

Canadian Resources

Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca
The Lung Association
http://www.lung.ca

References

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Questions about smoking, tobacco, and health. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/002974-pdf.pdf. Updated January 17, 2013. Accessed March 11, 2013.
Tobacco addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse website. Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/tobacco-addiction. Updated July 12, 2012. Accessed March 11, 2013..
Tobacco use disorder. PEMSoft at EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what. Updated February 19, 2013. Accessed March 11, 2013.
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