Nicotine is one of the most commonly used psychoactive substances. It affects the central nervous system, and therefore affects mood and behavior changes.
You can take it in many ways (by smoking, chewing tobacco, chewing nicotine gum, inhaling snuff).
As a result of taking nicotine, there is a release of noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine (happiness hormones), which results in a strong addictive potential of this substance.
Causes of nicotine addiction
The cause of nicotine addiction is the inability to regulate emotions.
Addicts reach for nicotine to deal with stressful situations. Nicotine is a quick way for them to cope with strong emotional arousal.
Symptoms of nicotine addiction:
- compulsion to smoke;
- daily nicotine use for at least four weeks;
- an attempt to stop nicotine causes irritability, frustration, depressive symptoms, insomnia, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, an increase in appetite or weight gain;
- subjecting other vital functions to smoking;
- the obligation to carry nicotine-containing substances with you at all times.
Consequences of nicotine addiction:
- increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease;
- increased risk of developing malignant tumors of the lungs, larynx, mouth, throat;
- pregnancy disorders.
Nicotine addiction treatment
Nicotine replacement therapy is very often used to treat nicotine addiction.
It involves the use of nicotine chewing gums or skin patches releasing nicotine.
This treatment aims to eliminate the habit of smoking, while not putting nicotine in the first stage of therapy.
