About Tobacco Dependence
Nicotine
Nicotine dependence can develop with all forms of tobacco use (i.e., cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, pipes, and cigars). Nicotine is a drug found naturally in tobacco. It is highly addictive – as addictive as heroin or cocaine.
Over time, the body becomes both physically and psychologically dependent. Studies have shown that tobacco users must overcome both the physical and psychological aspects of tobacco dependence to be successful at quitting and staying quit. Click here for information about medications to help with the physical aspects of quitting. If you are interested in meeting with a tobacco support specialist please click here.
Nicotine produces pleasant feelings that create a desire for more tobacco. As the nervous system adapts to nicotine, tobacco users tend to increase the amount they use. After a while, the person develops a tolerance to the drug, which leads to greater use. Over time, a certain nicotine level is reached and then the person smokes or chews to maintain this level of nicotine.
Nicotine Withdrawal
When tobacco users cut back or quit, the absence of nicotine leads to withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal is both physical and mental. Physically, the body reacts to the absence of nicotine. Psychologically, a person who smokes or chews is faced with the task of finding ways of coping without tobacco.
If a person has used tobacco regularly for a few weeks or longer and abruptly stops or cuts back, withdrawal symptoms will occur. Symptoms usually start within a few hours of the last cigarette and peak about 2 to 3 days later. Withdrawal symptoms can last for a few days to several weeks and cravings often last longer.
Withdrawal symptoms can include any of the following:
- dizziness (which may only last 1-2 days in the beginning)
- depression
- anxiety
- feelings of frustration and anger
- irritability
- sleep disturbances, including having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep and having bad dreams or even nightmares
- trouble concentrating
- restlessness
- headache
- tiredness
- increased appetite
- constipation, gas, stomach pain
- fatigue
- dry mouth
- cold/flu symptoms
While not everyone will experience these symptoms, they are a common part of quitting tobacco. For more information about depression and mental health, please click here.
Click here for support options based on your readiness to quit.
Source: American Cancer Society