Tobacco is Addictive

So what is ADDICTION????

 According to the Surgeon General, tobacco usage is an addiction and should be treated.
JAMA 252: 2874, 1984 @

Nicotine

6-8 times more addictive than alcohol as addictive as cocaine and crack
(95-100% of people who use nicotine are addicted) @

Criteria for an addiction is:

The users behavior is controlled by a psychoactive substance. There is a compulsive use of the drug despite damage to the individual or society, and this takes precedence over other important priorities. The drug is reinforcing--that is, it is sufficiently self-rewarding to maintain usage. @

Other criteria include:

Tolerance to the drug develops. Physical dependence develops leading to withdrawal symptoms when you cant smoke or stop. After cessation of drug use, you will find yourself fighting a strong tendency to relapse (go back to smoking). @

The effects of nicotine on the brain are staggering.

It stimulates the cells of the brain. It acts fast. It mimics the action of acetylcholine. It causes neurotransmitters to be released. @

These cravings and urges are often prompted by triggers.

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Try substituting other activities for smoking in situations that in the past led you to smoke.
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When an urge or craving comes, choose activities that change how you feel.
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Exercise

Time is your friend.

Triggers are of short duration and will fade after the first few days. @

Breaking the addiction is possible.

The physical addiction to nicotine is relatively easy to break.

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Breaking the psychological addiction is more challenging.

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Addictions are extremely powerful.

The support of friends, family, and ex-smokers will give you vital help in resisting your psychological urges. @

Nature of Nicotine Addiction Nicotine is:

Psychoactive Self-reinforcing Compulsive @

Nicotines Nature
Body develops tolerance to it Causes withdrawal pain for a few days Relapse is dangerously close for a former smoker who smokes even one smoke @

Our Addictive Culture

Two Types of Addiction 1. Substances 2. Process

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Addiction to Substances
Tobacco Alcohol

Narcotics Opiates Tranquilizers Stimulants @

Addiction to Process

Gambling

Eating
Sex

Work
Relationships Religion @

Slide 10

Addiction has roots in cultural values of affluent, modern societies

Preoccupation with pleasure Low tolerance of pain Obsession with control Goals valued more than relationships Choose to avoid all types of addictions
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A Jugular Hold
Unless you are struggling with tobacco addiction or compulsive eating you may not realize hold tenacious are these addictions and habits. The latest Research reveals an actual change in brain structure of obese individuals and drug addicts.

Common Characteristics of Compulsive Eating and Drug Addiction

Drs. Wang and Volkow at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton , N. Y. Have discovered that obese and addicted individuals have fewer dopamine receptors in the brain.

New Research: What Does This Mean?

Dopamine is a naturally occurring substance in the brain that modulates feeling of pleasure and well-being Obese individuals and drug users have fewer dopamine receptor as indicated in this picture. Eating food and taking addictive drugs increase extra cellular level of dopamine Which enhances the pleasure feelings

New Research: What Does This Mean?

Structural Changes
Although many complex factors maybe involved in excessive behaviors such as compulsive drug abuse, overeating and gambling they are all similar in that the brain is changed, {altered} reward circuits are disrupted, and the behavior eventually becomes involuntary. According to Dr. Joseph Frascellla NIDAs Division of Treatment and Research
(NIDA Notes Vol. 16,#4 P. 10)

 Although is is unclear whether low D2 receptor levels are a cause or a consequence of addictive behaviors, it may be both. The implications are that individuals with fewer pleasure receptors are more likely to eat more food or take mind altering drugs In time the compulsive behaviors further reduce the dopamine receptors and the vicious cycle is continued. Lancet 357 (9253) 354-357,2001

Implications