Clinically Reviewed on 06/12/2023 1:00 pm by Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner) All information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.
Nicotine, found within the popular tobacco products of cigarettes and cigars is viewed as harmless, down to the norm that it plays at a profound rate. Many users of nicotine in fact deny or forget its place as a drug, down to how normal consumption is, once allowed and accepted through everyday life.
While the use of cigarettes has been monitored and reduced, down to the risks of second-hand smoke inhalation, nicotine through other means is still accepted, ploughing the rates of addiction.
Like many other drugs, nicotine attacks the central nervous system, while also attaching to receptors in the brain. From producing increased glucose levels to heightening the presence of dopamine, nicotine stands as an addictive drug, down to the disruption it causes in the brain.
Nicotine products are also highly dangerous, on physical and psychological scales, down to the contents and routes of consumption. Lung cancer, heart disease, COPD, and depression are some of those dangers, which can amount to nicotine addiction.
While it may feel normal to consume nicotine, it’s important to remember that it is a drug, that withdrawal will be challenging, and that nicotine addiction treatment & rehab services will be required to recover. The sooner you can withdraw, the easier your recovery journey will be while protecting your wellbeing.
See how we can assist with nicotine addiction help here at Asana Lodge, offering residential addiction treatment programmes.
When ranked against other drugs, nicotine falls way down the list when considering addiction rates. This may be down to the normalisation of its consumption, or the low tangible risks which are attached to long-term nicotine abuse. However, nicotine is still a drug, which has an addictive makeup, down to how it affects the central nervous system.
Firstly, nicotine is found to adjust glucose levels in the body. This ultimately acts as a sugar rush, which alone, can be craved. Yet, once secondly paired with the increased levels of dopamine, which nicotine influences, that sugar rush is now extremely addictive, down to the positive rewards that it offers.
In tandem with the imbalance of chemicals, which nicotine influences, it also affects the central nervous system, by copying key neurotransmitters in the brain. By doing just that, organic production of such neurotransmitters will be suppressed, requiring nicotine to produce and feel the effects of happy chemicals.
To the eye, nicotine may be displayed through normalised products. Yet, smoking is one of the most common and hardest addictions to break away from, down to the internal adjustments that it makes.
Nicotine addiction is real, is difficult to withdraw from, and is one of the most relapsed substance use disorders, down to the accessibility, socialisation, and normalisation of nicotine abuse.
By considering the above, nicotine can in fact be very addictive if it’s continuously misused. While a defining high will not be experienced through nicotine consumption, which is linked to other addictive substances, a feeling of reward and fulfilment will be experienced, to stabilise the mind.
Such feelings will be longed for once a nicotine addiction does develop, in order to avoid withdrawal and a lack of dopamine in the body. Through intentions to maintain a level of nicotine consumption, the addiction cycle can then materialise, which will require nicotine addiction treatment & rehab services to recover from.
Some individuals do manage to withdraw from nicotine independently, through substitute products, nicotine patches and medications. However, where a psychological reward has been associated with nicotine exposure, talking therapies will be required, showing the extent that nicotine addiction can develop.
Nicotine addiction is ranked as less invasive, expensive, and damaging in comparison to further substance use disorders. Yet nicotine addiction effects can in fact be significant when enabled consistently.
The cost of tobacco products, on a consistent basis, do cause financial issues for many. As nicotine is highly accessible and exposed to the public, ongoing purchasing of such products is justifiable. This paired with the health worries that long-term nicotine abuse can amount to showcases how disrupted the effects of nicotine addiction can have on the quality of life.
Lung cancer, heart disease, fertility problems, mouth cancer, respiratory issues, stroke, mental health issues such as depression and paranoia, and asthma are all long-term effects of excessive nicotine exposure. Such effects, also experienced through the consequences of addiction are therefore damaging and costly in many ways.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of nicotine addiction, which are noted below, sourcing suitable treatments and therapies via a private drug and alcohol rehab will be recommended.
Many people consume nicotine. Some of those will unknowingly be living with an addiction, where behaviours are continuous and surrounding exposure. If that’s you, detoxification and treatment will be encouraged.
Completing a nicotine addiction detox will be necessary to withdraw from nicotine. While some can complete this independently, through nicotine replacement products, such effects aren’t always positive, as a degree of dependence can remain.
Instead, detoxification will be recommended, to slowly reduce nicotine exposure. Through a range of appropriate prescriptions, this is possible, to deter chronic withdrawal symptoms. Yet the best way forward will be to slowly reduce intake, which will usually span over 1-2 weeks.
Withdrawal symptoms from nicotine can present themselves in many different ways, from increased appetite and mental fog to cravings, extreme tiredness, and respiratory issues. As such symptoms can be difficult to work through, increasing the desire for ongoing consumption, a medically assisted detox through drug rehab will be advised.
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Nicotine addiction effects are psychologically ingrained, down to the reward that the drug offers. With this in mind, for some individuals, additional treatments and therapies will be required, alongside the detoxification process.
Talking therapies, support groups and exposure therapy are the most effective when considering nicotine addiction treatment & rehab steps. They help users understand the role that nicotine plays, along with how to make use of positive coping strategies and motivators. Wellbeing management will also help, to highlight healthy ways to promote the production of happy chemicals, without exposure to nicotine.
Depending on the extent and type of addiction, a personal plan will be created here at Asana Lodge, to ensure that optimal treatment is offered throughout drug and alcohol rehab. In tandem with this, relapse prevention and aftercare can also be secured to help prevent future consumption of nicotine, through any relevant products.
To learn about nicotine addiction treatment & rehab steps, contact our team at Asana Lodge for a transparent consultation.
It can do, as social influences drive many substance use disorders. Nicotine is a socially consumed drug, pressures to be exposed to its effects can be experienced, increasing the risk of addiction.
Understanding this is very important while recovering, to reduce the risks of peer pressure moving forward.
Treatment, via rehab will offer withdrawal and recovery opportunities. However, in order to maintain recovery, efforts will need to be sustained, helping you avoid all forms of nicotine and complimenting drugs. Aftercare and relapse prevention planning will assist with this transition, to help you avoid exposure to addictive drugs.
Nicotine addiction can develop through environmental, biological, social, and psychological influences. However, the most prevalent is through the rewarding effects of nicotine, which triggers the development of addiction, in the brain. Behaviours and outlooks will then reflect the need to be exposed to nicotine, to encounter rewards.
In some cases, nicotine addiction treatment & rehab steps will be necessary, which we can assist with. Either way, nicotine is a damaging drug that must be taken seriously. Avoid the detriment of long-term nicotine abuse by detoxing and recovering.
Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner) - Clinical Reviewer - Last Reviewed: 06/12/2023 1:00 pm
Dr. Otulana is a highly skilled General Practitioner and Addiction Specialist. He possesses extensive expertise in the field of Substance Misuse Management and boasts a diverse background in evaluating, overseeing (including detox procedures), and overseeing the residential recovery of individuals grappling with various drug and substance addiction issues. His primary goal is to conduct thorough assessments of patients dealing with addiction issues and determine their medical detoxification and psychological treatment requirements. Dr. Otulana is well-versed in caring for patients who need dual drug and alcohol detoxification therapies.
In addition to his medical qualifications, Dr. Otulana is a proficient healthcare professional who holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from the prestigious Cambridge University Judge Business School.
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