Nicotine addiction (nicotine addiction)

Nicotine addiction or Nicotine addiction is a physical as well as mental illness that theoretically can affect anyone if they should start smoking. Unfortunately, there are more and more people who become addicted to nicotine through passive smoking and who finally start smoking themselves. Getting away from nicotine addiction is no easy undertaking and should therefore be medically supervised by a doctor. In spite of all this: Everyone can manage to stop smoking!

What is nicotine addiction (nicotine addiction)?

Under Nicotine addiction one understands the physical or psychological dependence on nicotine, a substance that occurs in the tobacco plant. Often a few cigarettes are enough to get you into nicotine addiction.

Those affected by nicotine addiction experience withdrawal symptoms if they do not get their daily nicotine dose and often try in vain to quit smoking. Unlike many other drugs, nicotine does not change your personality. In most cases, nicotine addiction combines physical and psychological dependence.

causes

A physical nicotine addiction occurs because nicotine enters the blood via the lungs or the oral mucous membranes and from there to the brain. Unlike many other poisons, nicotine can cross the blood-brain barrier. Just a few seconds after ingesting the neurotoxin, it reaches the nerve cells in the brain and influences their activity there.

Nicotine causes the brain to B. to the release of various messenger substances such as dopamine, serotonin and endorphins, all of which work together with the reward system in the brain. It is therefore not surprising that nicotine addiction occurs very early. The nicotine combo leads to a pleasant feeling and provides z. B. in a stressful situation that the person becomes calmer again. It can briefly lead to increased attention and learning ability.

A mental nicotine addiction occurs when the consumer experiences positive effects through the intake of nicotine in certain situations. Again, the reward center plays an important role in nicotine addiction. Nicotine brings inner peace and satisfaction. If the consumer comes into a similar situation again, he will resort to nicotine again to produce the same effect as the first time. In this way, he becomes mentally addicted to nicotine after a short time.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

Nicotine addiction can be determined based on different symptoms. These are consistent with the symptoms of other addictions. Symptoms of nicotine addiction primarily include cravings for tobacco products and a willingness to continue to use tobacco despite the health consequences.

After all, addiction is defined by the fact that withdrawal symptoms occur if nicotine is no longer consumed. In addition, most people tend to develop tolerance and have to increase the amount of nicotine they consume in order to experience the same effect.

The withdrawal symptoms associated with nicotine addiction are most severe during the first two or three days of withdrawal. Above all, it leads to a depressive mood, irritability and sleep problems. Some people also experience digestive changes and increased appetite as a result of withdrawal.

The pulse can be slowed down and the ability to concentrate decreases. Most people who quit smoking experience a minor or moderate increase in body weight. The psychological and vegetative symptoms usually subside after a few days or weeks. Many sufferers still have a strong desire to add nicotine to the body weeks and months later. This desire can be very strong, especially if the situation is stressful or the person concerned has consumed alcohol.

Course of disease

A Nicotine addiction arises from the special effect of nicotine on the human brain. For most of those affected by nicotine addiction, it sets in after just a few cigarettes. In many cases, over time, the users resort to increasing amounts of the neurotoxin or smoke at shorter intervals in order to achieve the same pleasant effect as at the beginning of nicotine addiction.

Even after a short time without nicotine, the first symptoms of withdrawal such as inner restlessness, irritability or occasionally headaches appear in the case of nicotine addiction, which make the addicts take up a cigarette again. It is therefore very difficult to break free from nicotine addiction.

Complications

The majority of smokers develop nicotine addiction. This is the case if more than three of the six following criteria are met: Compulsive consumption, lack of / poor control of smoking behavior, expanding tolerance limits, deferring other interests in favor of cigarette consumption, continued consumption despite already existing physical / psychological consequential damage, physical withdrawal symptoms such as aggressiveness, irritability, concentration disorders.

The first cigarette is due early in the morning - usually before breakfast; daily consumption increases. An independent attempt to reduce or quit smoking often leads to sleep disorders, irritability, aggressiveness, restlessness, concentration problems, anxiety, depression, increasing appetite and weight gain.

Smoking leads to damage / disorders of the respiratory and cardiovascular system (smoker's leg), in the brain, the bones / joints, the eyes, the skin, the oral flora, the immune system, the metabolism, wound healing, in the reproductive capacity and possibly causes Malformations and miscarriages (increased risk). The permanent damage limits the quality of life considerably, even after successful weaning. However, some can progressively improve.

Weaning itself often takes several attempts before it may be successful. After all, psychological addiction also plays an immensely important role. Numerous smoking cessation programs and offers do not save perseverance. Depending on the intensity of the dependency, the consequences will be felt for many years to come. Nicotine itself is broken down by the liver within a few days.

When should you go to the doctor?

If you are addicted to nicotine, you do not have to go to the doctor immediately. Many people who want to quit smoking manage to do so without the assistance of a doctor. A medical professional can, however, provide information about the risks of smoking and thereby serve as a motivator. In addition, a comprehensive physical examination can determine the physical damage that cigarette consumption has already caused. Above all, the lungs and blood vessels must be checked so that any illnesses can be dealt with.

If the nicotine addiction has already caused significant physical problems, a doctor must be consulted immediately. Depending on the type of complaint, other specialists such as the pulmonologist or the gastroenterologist can be called in. In addition to treating the physical ailments, therapeutic advice is useful. If the sick person wants to give up smoking, self-help groups and addiction counselors should also be involved in the therapy. Anyone who has already had several withdrawals and relapses should see their doctor and pharmacist. On the one hand, experts can help with practical tips and recommend smoking cessation programs. On the other hand, the doctor can prescribe nicotine patches or similar preparations that make it easier to quit smoking. During withdrawal, the doctor should be contacted regularly, especially in the case of severe withdrawal symptoms such as palpitations or migraines.

Treatment & Therapy

There are different treatment approaches for Nicotine addiction. The most promising method of treating nicotine addiction is behavioral therapy in combination with aids such as nicotine chewing gum or nicotine patches that alleviate the withdrawal symptoms. Self-help groups can also help many sufferers on their way out of nicotine addiction, as they offer a certain amount of control.

It is important that the group is led by a knowledgeable and trained person. Hypnotherapy also offers a way out of nicotine addiction, but it does not work for everyone. Many other forms of therapy help isolated people. However, the number of successful treatments is not sufficient to demonstrate an effect. Instead, the success of the treatment can also be attributed to the placebo effect. These forms of therapy for nicotine addiction include switching to herb chains, aversion therapy or acupuncture. Even after initially successful treatment, many sufferers relapse again.

Aftercare

Many nicotine addicts take both smoking cessation and follow-up care into their own hands. The key challenge in follow-up care is often to resist the temptation to relapse. When nicotine addicts return to cigarettes and other nicotine-containing substances, stress, social pressure and motivation problems often play a role. Since relapses are particularly common among younger smokers, nicotine addicts should be aware of this risk.

Special psychological programs designed to help cigarette addicts quit smoking often end with a maintenance or stabilization phase. In this phase, for example, the nicotine addicts develop strategies on how to better deal with stress. They can also think about what support they can get from friends, family members, co-workers, and others if they are about to relapse - or how they can generally make their surroundings non-smoking-friendly to reduce the temptation.

Former smokers often observe each other very closely during aftercare in order to recognize an impending relapse as early as possible. If you then perceive corresponding signs, try to counteract them with the help of the strategies you have developed, for example with relaxation techniques. Relapse can still occur. In such a case, nicotine addicts should self-critically question why they could not stand firm and what they can do better next time in such a situation.

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Outlook & forecast

In the case of nicotine dependence, the further course of the disease depends to a large extent on the cooperation of the patient. His will and assertiveness as well as the willingness to change his way of life are decisive in coping with the disease. Many sufferers do not need a medical consultation to stop using nicotine.

However, it can be perceived as helpful and quite beneficial if cooperation with a doctor or a psychotherapist is sought. These support the person concerned on a physical as well as emotional level and provide feedback on the current state of health. Most nicotine addicts are aware of the physical harm as well as the health consequences. Despite everything, they often need an incentive to successfully manage nicotine addiction.

Those affected who refrain from active or passive consumption of nicotine for several years receive a particularly favorable prognosis. The body's own regeneration process means that after five years the lungs are in a normal state of health again, and life expectancy therefore corresponds to the average.

An unfavorable course of the disease means that the person concerned cannot cope with the nicotine addiction and thus increases the risk of secondary diseases. Cancer diseases can occur, which pose a potential threat to human life.

You can do that yourself

Self-help with nicotine withdrawal often goes hand in hand with treatment. The actual withdrawal does not carry the same risk as with other substance addictions, although it is perceived as uncomfortable. Many smokers therefore do not seek treatment, but rely entirely on self-help.

Not every smoker manages to completely control nicotine cravings right away. In this case, the person concerned should at least try to reduce the amount. Stressful situations are a typical stumbling block. Here it is important to stand firm and not give in to the desire.

Some smokers are initially switching to e-cigarettes with nicotine-containing liquids. It does not combat the actual nicotine addiction. However, other health aspects can benefit, especially lung health.

Motivation plays an important role in quitting smoking. To work on motivation, the addict can write down his or her personal reasons on a piece of paper. He then hangs up this piece of paper in a visible place - for example above the desk or on the edge of a mirror. The list of motivation can be added later. Goals formulated in negative terms are often less favorable, which is why positive reasons should also be on the list. In addition, the personal motives should be formulated as specifically as possible.