Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms | Quit Smoking

Nicotine addiction and major mental illnesses

The release of DA is probably what leads to the reinforcing experience of pleasure associated with tobacco use (this release of DA is similar to that observed with other addictive drugs). Nicotine has a half-life of 30 minutes, which leads to an urge to consume more nicotine every half hour. Two cigarettes an hour (or the equivalent form of other tobacco products) will maintain a constant level of nicotine in the blood. For reasons that are not yet clear, about 10% of smokers do not 108 | DRUGS AND CLIENT become addicted. They are able to keep consumption of cigarettes to approximately five per day, as opposed to the one or two packs a day consumed by the addict (Breslau, et al., 1991). People addicted to nicotine have higher rates of major depression and anxiety disorders than those who smoke but are not addicted.

Tobacco leaf (Smoking)

Nicotine tobacum Tars& other compounds found in tobacco products

Some known carcinogens found in tobacco tars include:

• Benzopyrenes, 
• Pyrenees, 
• aromatic amines,
• chrysene, 
• nitrosamines. 

There are many other substances known to be harmful to humans that are frequently present in tobacco products, including:

• cresols, 
• phenols, 
• metallic ions, 
• radioactive compounds, 
• carboxylic acids, 
• various additives 
• flavoring agents, 
• and agricultural compounds (e.g., pesticides) 

If manufacturers removed these toxic agents from their products the harmful effects of tobacco use would be greatly reduced.

Nicotine Physiological symptoms of withdrawal occur when someone who is addicted to nicotine stops consuming it. This withdrawal syndrome is commonly called a “nicotine fit.”  

Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms are:

• anxiety
• headache
• restlessness
• nervousness
• feelings of uneasiness
• digestive disturbances
• impairment of psychomotor performance
•  impairment of concentration and judgement

Treatments For Nicotine Smoking Withdrawal :

Quit Smoking Program Methods:

• Patches, 
• gums, 
• lozenges & inhalers for nicotine withdrawal 

Nicotine Gum

The nicotine patch, nicotine gum, nicotine lozenges, or a nicotine inhaler are all useful for helping people to decrease and quit tobacco use. Simply trying to “cut down” on smoking continues to expose the individual to the health risks and reinforcing behaviors inherent in tobacco use.