Smoking leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ system of the body. It is the leading cause of preventable death. (CDC)
What’s Nicotine?
Nicotine is an alkaloid that acts both as a stimulant and an anxiolytic depending on its dose. It is used as a recreational drug through smoking, snorting snuff, or chewing tobacco. It is also used as Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) in the form of nicotine gum, lozenges, patches, and inhalers.
How Does It Work?
When a person consumes nicotine, a surge of adrenaline (the fight or flight hormone) stimulates the body hence causing an increase in:
● Heart rate
● Blood pressure
● Respiratory rate
Indirectly, nicotine consumption also results in the release of dopamine which causes the drug user to experience pleasurable sensations such as an increased feeling of relaxation and at higher doses.
Other effects of nicotine include:
● Sweating
● Nausea
● Diarrhea
● Raised alertness
● Reduced anxiety
● Gum diseases and dental issues
● Increased tendency to clot resulting in Atherosclerosis and heart attack
● Irregular and disturbed sleep
● Increased risk of stroke
● Spasms in the lungs
● Pneumonia
● Miscarriage and pregnancy complications such as low birth weight babies
● Increased levels of insulin and insulin resistance, hence resulting in diabetes
● Increased chances of cancer as nicotine has damaging effects on DNA
Nicotine is highly addictive, a study by the National Cancer Institute suggests that people who consume nicotine within 5 minutes of waking up are most addicted to it. Withdrawal is extremely common after not consuming nicotine for a while.
These withdrawal symptoms include:
● Restlessness and agitation
● Difficulty in concentrating
● Headache
● Constipation
● Mood swings
● Sleep disturbances
● Increase in hunger
● Increased craving
How Does the Addiction Usually Start?
Several factors lead to the initiation of tobacco addiction, among which the influence of family environment plays a major role.
The family has a very lasting impact and helps shape attitudes and habits in children. Parents addicted to smoking are more likely to grant access to cigarettes and less likely to stop children from smoking.
It is also believed that tobacco intake is mostly learned at home and when the children grow up, they are more likely to imitate their parents. They also tend to initiate this habit at a very early age. This in turn increases the chances of developing an addiction.
Tolerance to nicotine is also very common, which means that you need a higher dosage of the drug than usual for it to produce the same effect. This eventually leads to substance abuse and addiction, the symptoms of which are:
● Inability to stop using nicotine products
● Withdrawal symptoms when consumption is stopped
● Desire to continue smoking despite major health complications
● Major impaction on life, yet the consumption cannot be stopped
Nicotine is metabolized in the liver and excreted in urine and feces. It can stay in different systems of the body in different timeframes: The estimated period in which it can be detected in different systems is as follows:
● Urine test: two to four days
● Blood test: two to four days
● Saliva: one to four days
● Hair follicle test: 90 days
Alcoholics and Nicotine
‘Alcoholism is ten times stronger among smokers than among non-smokers, and this connection between alcohol and nicotine is not just because many people smoke at parties,’ said Elin Löf, a researcher at the Göteborg University, Sweden.
The combination of nicotine and alcohol increases the gratifying and enjoyable sensation by activating the reward center of the brain, this, in turn, leads to more alcohol consumption. Hence, nicotine and alcohol consumption go hand in hand.
According to many pieces of research, alcohol enhances the rewarding effects of nicotine and amplifies the calming effect, hence increasing pleasure and addiction. Alcohol along with nicotine increases tolerance and worsens withdrawal symptoms.
One of the main reasons why alcoholics consume nicotine is because nicotine counterbalances and neutralizes the sedative effects of alcohol. Drinking alcohol can slow reaction times and impair vision but nicotine is known to increase alertness and awareness.
What to Do If Someone You Know Is Suffering from Nicotine Addiction?
The first and foremost thing to do is to help the person understand why they need to quit because:
● Smoking is one of the most preventable causes of death
● One-third of deaths from coronary heart disease is because of smoking
● It causes lung cancer
● Smoking exposes children and other loved ones to passive smoking
The Road to Recovery
Recovery from nicotine addiction does not happen overnight and happens gradually. The road to recovery can be really difficult, but family and friends’ support can help ease the difficulties.
Don’t be hesitant to seek professional help! Refer them to a professional or a smoke cessation group as soon as possible.
The treatment of nicotine addiction might include medications or NRT’s (Nicotine Replacement Therapies) as well as counseling and online or in-person support groups.
Keep healthy snacks since people who chew tobacco like something to chew on. Cinnamon stick as a replacement helps with the craving. Drink more water. Practice delay technics. Brush your teeth after every cigarette (carry a tooth brush and tooth paste with you). Decrease caffeine intake. Give them the support and encouragement they need. Be a good listener if they wish to talk about their cravings, don’t shut them down or act like a prison guard.
Remember people don’t die from quitting they die from smoking!
Come up with healthy distractions like walks and exercise to be less likely to crave cigarettes.
Don’t lose hope if they relapse and understand that it’s just a step to the final since quitting smoking is a very difficult habit to break. Slipping up doesn’t necessarily mean failure. Help them review their reasons for quitting nicotine and commend them on their courage to want to change their habit.
Give them hope that they will make it through and come out on the brighter side and have this hope for yourself too!
Here to Help!
Michael Herbert, The Recovery Guide, has more than 30 years of experience working closely with individuals and families dealing with addiction and recovery issues. He is a seasoned Coach and can help you and your family establish long-term goals and access the tools you need for continued abstinence and recovery for the entire family. Get in touch with Michael today at 561-221-7677 to schedule an appointment.
