Most smokers use tobacco regularly because they are addicted to nicotine. Addiction is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, even in the face of negative health consequences. It is well documented that most smokers identify tobacco use as harmful and express a desire to reduce or stop using it, and nearly 35 million of them want to quit each year. Unfortunately, only about 6 percent of people who try to quit are successful for more than a month.
Research has shown how nicotine acts on the brain to produce a number of effects. Of primary importance to its addictive nature are findings that nicotine activates reward pathways—the brain circuitry that regulates feelings of pleasure. A key brain chemical involved in mediating the desire to consume drugs is the neurotransmitter dopamine, and research has shown that nicotine increases levels of dopamine in the reward circuits. This reaction is similar to that seen with other drugs of abuse, and is thought to underlie the pleasurable sensations experienced by many smokers. Nicotine's pharmacokinetic properties also enhance its abuse potential. Cigarette smoking produces a rapid distribution of nicotine to the brain, with drug levels peaking within 10 seconds of inhalation. However, the acute effects of nicotine dissipate in a few minutes, as do the associated feelings of reward, which causes the smoker to continue dosing to maintain the drug's pleasurable effects and prevent withdrawal.
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms include irritability, craving, cognitive and attentional deficits, sleep disturbances, and increased appetite. These symptoms may begin within a few hours after the last cigarette, quickly driving people back to tobacco use. Symptoms peak within the first few days of smoking cessation and may subside within a few weeks. For some people, however, symptoms may persist for months.
While withdrawal is related to the pharmacological effects of nicotine, many behavioral factors can also affect the severity of withdrawal symptoms. For some people, the feel, smell, and sight of a cigarette and the ritual of obtaining, handling, lighting, and smoking the cigarette are all associated with the pleasurable effects of smoking and can make withdrawal or craving worse. While nicotine gum and patches may alleviate the pharmacological aspects of withdrawal, cravings often persist. Other forms of nicotine replacement, such as inhalers, attempt to address some of these other issues, while behavioral therapies can help smokers identify environmental triggers of withdrawal and craving so they can employ strategies to prevent or circumvent these symptoms and urges.
Source: EverydayHealth.com
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One of the reasons why it is so difficult to quit, is that every smoker is hooked into their cigarettes in a different way--Every quitting method will work for some, NO method will work for everyone. Every smoker needs to figure out what will work for them. For some individuals, they do need help with the physical cravings and the use of nicotine replacement products can fit into their quitting plan very effectively, for others this is not a good choice. since 1990, I have been holding workshops to help smokers quit and what I have learned is that there is no right way to quit, it is whatever works for the individual. Unfortunately if the method a smoker chooses doesn't work for them and it worked for someone else, the smoker feels shame that there is something wrong with them instead of realizing, the method just didn't work for them and they need to understand to try, try, try again, until the smoker finds the right combination of behavior modification, medicinal support and successful coping strategies for stress and emotions. For free quitting tips visit: www.StopSmokingStayQuit.blogspot.com
VJ Sleight, Queen of Quitting, a former smoker, cancer thrivor and Tobacco
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