Nicotine Addiction(Tobacco Use Disorder; Smoking Addiction)
by
Cynthia M. Johnson, MA DefinitionNicotine addiction is a dependence on nicotine when it is used regularly. Nicotine can be found in tobacco products, such as:
CausesNicotine acts on the brain's chemistry. It creates feelings of pleasure. These feelings go away within a few minutes. People will need to keep using nicotine to feel this way again. This cycle can lead to addiction. Risk FactorsUse of nicotine products is the main risk factor. The risk of addiction increases with:
SymptomsSymptoms only happen when nicotine is not being used. This is known as withdrawal. Symptoms are:
DiagnosisYou will be asked about your symptoms and health history. You will also be asked about your history of using tobacco products. A physical exam will be done. A blood test can check cotinine level in your saliva or blood. This will show changes in nicotine use. The doctor may use it to check your progress. TreatmentTalk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment may involve 1 or more therapies. Options include: Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)NRT relieves withdrawal symptoms. NRT products include:
The chance of becoming dependent on these products is low. NRT does not create the same "feel good" feelings as nicotine. NRT may help you to:
Electronic CigarettesElectronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) turn liquid nicotine into a vapor. There is conflicting evidence on whether or not they may help you quit. In addition, the long-term effects of e-cigarette use are not known. Behavioral TherapyBehavioral therapies include:
MedicationMedicine that may help you quit include:
Other medicine may help ease withdrawal symptoms. A third type may be used if you start smoking again. It blocks the pleasure feeling when you use nicotine. PreventionThe best prevention is to never use tobacco products. Try to avoid places where people are smoking as well. RESOURCES:American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org Freedom From Smoking—American Lung Association http://www.freedomfromsmoking.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Cancer Society https://www.cancer.ca The Lung Association https://www.lung.ca References:Benowitz NL. Nicotine addiction. N Engl J Med. 2010 Jun 17;362(24):2295-2303. Tobacco and cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/tobacco-and-cancer.html.
Accessed September 2, 2020. Tobacco, nicotine, and e-cigarettes research report. National Institute on Drug Abuse website. Available at:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/tobacco-nicotine-e-cigarettes/introduction. Accessed September 2, 2020.
Tobacco use. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
https://www.dynamed.com/condition/tobacco-use-22. Accessed September 2, 2020.
9/29/2016 EBSCO DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance
https://www.dyname...: Kalkhoran S, Glantz SA. E-cigarettes and smoking cessation in real-world and clinical settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Respir Med. 2016;4(2):116-128.
Last reviewed March 2020 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Adrian Preda, MD | |
EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation. This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition. To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days. |
Home |Terms and Conditions |Concerned About Privacy? |Accessibility |Careers |For Employers and Medical Plan Providers
Copyright © 2011 Caremark, L.L.C.
You may also be looking for: CVS/pharmacy | MinuteClinic | Specialty Pharmacy | SilverScript | Accordant