Nicotine Addiction: What Are The Symptoms and How To Beat it

what is nicotine
GrAl/Shutterstock

Nicotine addiction is dependent on the drug nicotine; however, when we say nicotine addiction, we usually refer to the addiction to tobacco products that contain nicotine. It possesses mood-altering capabilities, which give the user a temporary high. This high is extremely pleasing and makes the user want to use it more and more.

Put simply, once you use it long enough, you can’t stop using it. Also, those who try to quit have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms which momentarily go away when they get a dose of nicotine.

Table of Contents

  1. Signs of Nicotine Addiction
  2. Nicotine Addiction vs. Other Addictions
  3. Nicotine is a Stimulant
  4. Nicotine is a Sedative
  5. Why Is Nicotine So Addictive?
  6. Mental vs Physical Nicotine Addiction
  7. How To Quit Nicotine
  8. FAQ About Nicotine Addiction

Table of Contents

  1. Signs of Nicotine Addiction
  2. Nicotine Addiction vs. Other Addictions
  3. Nicotine is a Stimulant
  4. Nicotine is a Sedative
  5. Why Is Nicotine So Addictive?
  6. Mental vs Physical Nicotine Addiction
  7. How To Quit Nicotine
  8. FAQ About Nicotine Addiction

What is Nicotine Addiction?

Nicotine is usually a colorless or, in some cases, yellowish liquid. Small doses of nicotine as a stimulant, used mostly in tobacco and pesticides. It is an abusable substance and, in higher doses, can be toxic, can interfere with the normal functioning of autonomic nerves and skeletal muscle cells.

According to National Institute of Drug Abuse, nicotine gets its addictive nature by activating a reward pathway in the brain’s circuitry. The chemical that makes you crave nicotine is called the neurotransmitter dopamine. Long-term users experience changes in their brains induced by this substance, leading to addiction.

nicotine addiction symptoms

Is Nicotine Addictive?

How addictive it depends on many factors, mainly on how it enters your body. The fastest way for a drug to have its impact is by smoking or vaping it, which is why smokers get hooked on tobacco. When you use nicotine, whether through smoking or through vape juices and e-liquids, it takes about ten seconds to reach your brain after entering your body, as it’s instantly absorbed by your bloodstream and transported to all the organs of your body.

When it reaches the brain, it makes the brain release adrenaline, which gives the user a feeling of high. This feeling is extremely pleasurable but doesn’t last long. After a little while, the user feels tired and down, wanting the high again.

Nicotine chemical

These craving forces the user to keep taking nicotine; however, the human body is naturally tolerant to this substance. As you continue to take nicotine for a while, your body starts to require higher amounts of it to get the same high. This repeated cycle of nicotine cravings leads to addiction, which is very hard to break. Below are the most common relapse triggers familiar to every smoker:

The number of hormones released by your body changes when you start taking nicotine. However, it has to adjust when you stop, which is very hard and causes a hormone imbalance. which is very hard, and causes a hormone imbalance. The end result is that your body is in a continuous state of adjusting hormones after your abstinence. This state is commonly known as withdrawal, which can be very hard to cope with.

Depending on the person, the current state of mind, and circumstances, breaking addiction can be harder for some people than others. For example, several pieces of research show that teenagers are more sensitive to nicotine and get addicted more easily. According to CDC, 90% of cigarette smokers try their first smoke by age 18, and 99% by age 26.

Nicotine is usually a colorless or, in some cases, yellowish liquid. Small doses of nicotine as a stimulant, used mostly in tobacco and pesticides. It is an abusable substance and, in higher doses, can be toxic, can interfere with the normal functioning of autonomic nerves and skeletal muscle cells.

According to National Institute of Drug Abuse, nicotine gets its addictive nature by activating a reward pathway in the brain’s circuitry. The chemical that makes you crave nicotine is called the neurotransmitter dopamine. Long-term users experience changes in their brains induced by this substance, leading to addiction.

nicotine addiction symptoms

Is Nicotine Addictive?

How addictive it depends on many factors, mainly on how it enters your body. The fastest way for a drug to have its impact is by smoking or vaping it, which is why smokers get hooked on tobacco. When you use nicotine, whether through smoking or through vape juices and e-liquids, it takes about ten seconds to reach your brain after entering your body, as it’s instantly absorbed by your bloodstream and transported to all the organs of your body.

When it reaches the brain, it makes the brain release adrenaline, which gives the user a feeling of high. This feeling is extremely pleasurable but doesn’t last long. After a little while, the user feels tired and down, wanting the high again.

Nicotine chemical

These craving forces the user to keep taking nicotine; however, the human body is naturally tolerant to this substance. As you continue to take nicotine for a while, your body starts to require higher amounts of it to get the same high. This repeated cycle of nicotine cravings leads to addiction, which is very hard to break. Below are the most common relapse triggers familiar to every smoker:

The number of hormones released by your body changes when you start taking nicotine. However, it has to adjust when you stop, which is very hard and causes a hormone imbalance. which is very hard, and causes a hormone imbalance. The end result is that your body is in a continuous state of adjusting hormones after your abstinence. This state is commonly known as withdrawal, which can be very hard to cope with.

Depending on the person, the current state of mind, and circumstances, breaking addiction can be harder for some people than others. For example, several pieces of research show that teenagers are more sensitive to nicotine and get addicted more easily. According to CDC, 90% of cigarette smokers try their first smoke by age 18, and 99% by age 26.

Nicotine Dependence vs. Other Addictions

Some experts believe heroin and cocaine are the two most addictive drugs, with nicotine addiction in the third spot. Taking a look at the ratings of different drugs published in New York Times, on Aug 2, 1994, by two highly regarded experts reveals that nicotine addiction tops the charts when it comes to dependence and also is the highest-ranked overall drug addiction:

Rating by Dr. Jack E. Henningfield of the National Institute on Drug Abuse

(1 = Most serious 6 = Least serious)

Substance Withdrawal Reinforcement Tolerance Dependence Intoxication
Nicotine 3 4 2 1 5
Heroin 2 2 1 2 2
Cocaine 4 1 4 3 3
Alcohol 1 3 3 4 1
Caffeine 5 6 5 5 6
Marijuana 6 5 6 6 4

Rating by Dr. Neal L. Benowitz of the University of California at San Francisco

(1 = Most serious 6 = Least serious)

Substance Withdrawal Reinforcement Tolerance Dependence Intoxication
Nicotine 3 4 4 1 6
Heroin 2 2 2 2 2
Cocaine 3 1 1 3 3
Alcohol 1 3 4 4 1
Caffeine 4 5 3 5 5
Marijuana 5 6 5 6 4

No matter what substance you consider, there are some serious users and some infrequent, amateur users. To understand how overpowering a substance can be, we can compare the percentage of people who, after having used a substance, can still contain themselves to occasional use.

In his book About Addictions: Notes from Psychology, Neuroscience, and NLP, the famous author Richard Gray mentions large government surveys that show how many addicts of different substances are regular users and how many are occasional users.

Substance % Regular Users % Occasional Users
Alcohol 15 85
Cocaine 8 82
Tobacco cigarettes (nicotine) 90 10

Although there will always be a difference of opinion when it comes to the most addictive substance, it is a fact that nicotine is one of the top three, if not the topmost addictive substance.

Some experts believe heroin and cocaine are the two most addictive drugs, with nicotine addiction in the third spot. Taking a look at the ratings of different drugs published in New York Times, on Aug 2, 1994, by two highly regarded experts reveals that nicotine addiction tops the charts when it comes to dependence and also is the highest-ranked overall drug addiction:

Rating by Dr. Jack E. Henningfield of the National Institute on Drug Abuse

(1 = Most serious 6 = Least serious)

Substance Withdrawal Reinforcement Tolerance Dependence Intoxication
Nicotine 3 4 2 1 5
Heroin 2 2 1 2 2
Cocaine 4 1 4 3 3
Alcohol 1 3 3 4 1
Caffeine 5 6 5 5 6
Marijuana 6 5 6 6 4

Rating by Dr. Neal L. Benowitz of the University of California at San Francisco

(1 = Most serious 6 = Least serious)

Substance Withdrawal Reinforcement Tolerance Dependence Intoxication
Nicotine 3 4 4 1 6
Heroin 2 2 2 2 2
Cocaine 3 1 1 3 3
Alcohol 1 3 4 4 1
Caffeine 4 5 3 5 5
Marijuana 5 6 5 6 4

No matter what substance you consider, there are some serious users and some infrequent, amateur users. To understand how overpowering a substance can be, we can compare the percentage of people who, after having used a substance, can still contain themselves to occasional use.

In his book About Addictions: Notes from Psychology, Neuroscience, and NLP, the famous author Richard Gray mentions large government surveys that show how many addicts of different substances are regular users and how many are occasional users.

Substance % Regular Users % Occasional Users
Alcohol 15 85
Cocaine 8 82
Tobacco cigarettes (nicotine) 90 10

Although there will always be a difference of opinion when it comes to the most addictive substance, it is a fact that nicotine is one of the top three, if not the topmost addictive substance.

Is Nicotine a Stimulant?

Nicotine has a stimulative effect as soon as it enters the bodies, releasing adrenaline, which in turn releases glucose. Glucose is turned into sugar, resulting in energy. Later, the body produces insulin, and blood sugar levels return to normal.

However, nicotine suppresses insulin, keeping blood sugar levels higher than usual. For this reason, doctors recommend that diabetics do not smoke. Smoking has the same effect as eating sugary foods, except that blood sugar levels do not return to normal as quickly as they should.

Does Nicotine Stimulate Your Heart Rate?

Your heart is one of the most important parts of the body to be affected by nicotine. This is because your heart rate can increase as part of craving or during use, often while smoking or using a vape.

Your body reacts to the drug being introduced into your system by increasing your heart rate. As you may know, your heart needs to keep a certain rhythm to be healthy. So speeding it up during exercise is a good workout for your heart, but it is unhealthy for your heart rate to increase when you are inactive, and that is exactly the state of most people when they smoke.

An increase in blood pressure, which is standard for users, is also dangerous. This puts your heart at risk and creates an unhealthy environment for many of your bodily systems.

This can cause long-term heart problems, including cardiac infarction, heart disease, and more. The longer you smoke, the more stress you are putting on your heart increases your risk of a heart problem.

Does Nicotine Stimulate Your Respiratory System?

Nicotine also stimulates your respiratory and vascular systems. People who are craving nicotine may have faster breathing. Their anxiety and nervousness caused by the nicotine can cause irregularly high breathing, limiting their physical abilities.

Nicotine has a stimulative effect as soon as it enters the bodies, releasing adrenaline, which in turn releases glucose. Glucose is turned into sugar, resulting in energy. Later, the body produces insulin, and blood sugar levels return to normal.

However, nicotine suppresses insulin, keeping blood sugar levels higher than usual. For this reason, doctors recommend that diabetics do not smoke. Smoking has the same effect as eating sugary foods, except that blood sugar levels do not return to normal as quickly as they should.

Does Nicotine Stimulate Your Heart Rate?

Your heart is one of the most important parts of the body to be affected by nicotine. This is because your heart rate can increase as part of craving or during use, often while smoking or using a vape.

Your body reacts to the drug being introduced into your system by increasing your heart rate. As you may know, your heart needs to keep a certain rhythm to be healthy. So speeding it up during exercise is a good workout for your heart, but it is unhealthy for your heart rate to increase when you are inactive, and that is exactly the state of most people when they smoke.

An increase in blood pressure, which is standard for users, is also dangerous. This puts your heart at risk and creates an unhealthy environment for many of your bodily systems.

This can cause long-term heart problems, including cardiac infarction, heart disease, and more. The longer you smoke, the more stress you are putting on your heart increases your risk of a heart problem.

Does Nicotine Stimulate Your Respiratory System?

Nicotine also stimulates your respiratory and vascular systems. People who are craving nicotine may have faster breathing. Their anxiety and nervousness caused by the nicotine can cause irregularly high breathing, limiting their physical abilities.

Is Nicotine a Sedative?

It is important to understand that nicotine is both a stimulant and a sedative. It has a sedative effect because it causes beta-endorphins to be released. These endorphins reduce anxiety and emotional distress while increasing one’s sense of well-being and euphoria. One of the signs of nicotine addiction is not being able to cope without having a cigarette.
This is part of what makes it so addictive.

Nicotine also activates the portion of the brain that rewards the body. This reward center is responsible for a lot of the motivation people feel. Regular users feel like they need that cigarette as a reward for getting through the day, surviving a few hours of work, or for passing a test.

They will say that nicotine relaxes them, though it does the exact opposite in many ways. It actually makes them feel like they are being treated or rewarded by having that cigarette.

This causes severe addiction, and any of the people who try to quit do not succeed because of it.

It is important to understand that nicotine is both a stimulant and a sedative. It has a sedative effect because it causes beta-endorphins to be released. These endorphins reduce anxiety and emotional distress while increasing one’s sense of well-being and euphoria. One of the signs of nicotine addiction is not being able to cope without having a cigarette.
This is part of what makes it so addictive.

Nicotine also activates the portion of the brain that rewards the body. This reward center is responsible for a lot of the motivation people feel. Regular users feel like they need that cigarette as a reward for getting through the day, surviving a few hours of work, or for passing a test.

They will say that nicotine relaxes them, though it does the exact opposite in many ways. It actually makes them feel like they are being treated or rewarded by having that cigarette.

This causes severe addiction, and any of the people who try to quit do not succeed because of it.

Nicotine Is it Actually a Drug?

Those who say that nicotine is not a drug are likely trying to say that it is not a hard drug like cocaine or PCP. However, it is most definitely a drug, as defining drugs go, any substance that has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise deposited into the body is a drug.

What that means is that the substance changes the way the body is functioning or would function naturally. This is something that doesn’t provide anything the human organism needs but is introduced to change the way the body operates.

Nicotine falls into that category easily because of its effects on the body. Let’s look at some of those effects. The physiological effects include its addictive properties, pharmacologic effects, and psychodynamic effects. We’ll further break down each of these categories and what those effects include.

Most people understand that this substance is addictive. It creates both physical and mental nicotine addiction. Withdrawal from it produces a number of symptoms, including:

  • anxiousness
  • nervousness
  • shaking
  • moodiness
  • depression
  • inattentiveness
  • cravings.

Those who smoke for a while then quit finding themselves struggling to overcome these side effects and beat their cravings.

It is difficult for those who have become addicted to cease their habit. They often require outside help in the form of counseling, therapy, or coaching to assist them in quitting their nicotine addiction.

Pharmacologic Effects

When small amounts enter the human organism, pharmacologic effects begin to affect it. With nicotine, these include an increased heart rate, a higher chance of heart stroke, and an increase in how much oxygen your body consumes. Basically, your heart is working overtime when nicotine is inside your body.

Psychodynamic effects

Psychodynamic effects are similar to psychological effects. They change your mental state. With nicotine, these effects are a sense of euphoria, increased awareness, and a state of relaxation.

This is not just a physical dependence that doesn’t have an effect on the body, however. It’s been said that nicotine is no worse than caffeine, but recent studies show that nicotine addiction can stop new brain cells from forming.

Those who say that nicotine is not a drug are likely trying to say that it is not a hard drug like cocaine or PCP. However, it is most definitely a drug, as defining drugs go, any substance that has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise deposited into the body is a drug.

What that means is that the substance changes the way the body is functioning or would function naturally. This is something that doesn’t provide anything the human organism needs but is introduced to change the way the body operates.

Nicotine falls into that category easily because of its effects on the body. Let’s look at some of those effects. The physiological effects include its addictive properties, pharmacologic effects, and psychodynamic effects. We’ll further break down each of these categories and what those effects include.

Most people understand that this substance is addictive. It creates both physical and mental nicotine addiction. Withdrawal from it produces a number of symptoms, including:

  • anxiousness
  • nervousness
  • shaking
  • moodiness
  • depression
  • inattentiveness
  • cravings.

Those who smoke for a while then quit finding themselves struggling to overcome these side effects and beat their cravings.

It is difficult for those who have become addicted to cease their habit. They often require outside help in the form of counseling, therapy, or coaching to assist them in quitting their nicotine addiction.

Pharmacologic Effects

When small amounts enter the human organism, pharmacologic effects begin to affect it. With nicotine, these include an increased heart rate, a higher chance of heart stroke, and an increase in how much oxygen your body consumes. Basically, your heart is working overtime when nicotine is inside your body.

Psychodynamic effects

Psychodynamic effects are similar to psychological effects. They change your mental state. With nicotine, these effects are a sense of euphoria, increased awareness, and a state of relaxation.

This is not just a physical dependence that doesn’t have an effect on the body, however. It’s been said that nicotine is no worse than caffeine, but recent studies show that nicotine addiction can stop new brain cells from forming.

How Addictive Is Nicotine?

Humans can experience addiction in two ways: psychologically and physically. An example of psychological addiction is doing something extremely thrilling, e.g., gambling, bungee jumping, skydiving, driving too fast. These activities trigger reward centers of the brain; however, they don’t have any physical impact on the person.

We can relate it to classical conditioning, as shown by Pavlov’s dog experiment, where dogs started to associate certain signals (such as ringing a bell) with food and would start drooling on those signals, even when there was no food.

On the other hand, physical addictions tend to result in physical withdrawal symptoms, e.g., when a person suddenly stops drinking or taking a drug they are addicted to. What really makes nicotine extremely addictive is that it’s one of the very few addictions that has both physical and psychological impacts.

On top of that, it also has a social impact i.e., when you meet your other smoker friends, you start getting the urge to smoke (or use vapor cigarettes). So, in addition to affecting you physiologically, nicotine also affects you socially, which is why most experts agree that nicotine is one of the hardest addictions to break.

Humans can experience addiction in two ways: psychologically and physically. An example of psychological addiction is doing something extremely thrilling, e.g., gambling, bungee jumping, skydiving, driving too fast. These activities trigger reward centers of the brain; however, they don’t have any physical impact on the person.

We can relate it to classical conditioning, as shown by Pavlov’s dog experiment, where dogs started to associate certain signals (such as ringing a bell) with food and would start drooling on those signals, even when there was no food.

On the other hand, physical addictions tend to result in physical withdrawal symptoms, e.g., when a person suddenly stops drinking or taking a drug they are addicted to. What really makes nicotine extremely addictive is that it’s one of the very few addictions that has both physical and psychological impacts.

On top of that, it also has a social impact i.e., when you meet your other smoker friends, you start getting the urge to smoke (or use vapor cigarettes). So, in addition to affecting you physiologically, nicotine also affects you socially, which is why most experts agree that nicotine is one of the hardest addictions to break.

Is Nicotine Physically or Psychologically Addictive?

Physical Addiction to Nicotine

Every time someone smokes, nicotine enters the brain almost immediately. According to the American Cancer Society, receptors in the brain absorb the substance, and then dopamine is released, resulting in a feeling of happiness or calm. This is the starting point of physical addiction.

As more cigarettes are smoked, more nicotine receptors are made. This leads to more and more nicotine being needed in order to achieve the same feelings of calm, resulting in the smoking of more cigarettes. As the person becomes accustomed to having this constant flow of nicotine, symptoms like anxiety and stress can manifest if a cigarette break is missed. Once this cycle begins, physical addiction occurs.

Physical nicotine addiction is what most people think of when they consider the addictive properties of cigarettes. It’s also the addiction most smoking cessation aids target and treat. This is because when cigarettes are discontinued, strong physical symptoms can occur as the brain deals with a lack of nicotine.

Nicotine replacement products, for instance, supply a stream of nicotine to offset these symptoms without the need to smoke. It is slowly lowered until the addiction is no longer present. Medications may work by “turning off” the nicotine receptors in the brain, reducing cravings.

Psychological Addiction

This type of addiction is less talked about, and until recently, less often treated in those who try to quit smoking. According to the Respiratory Health Association in Chicago, psychological, mental, or emotional addiction involves the rituals, feelings, or people associated with smoking.

For instance, someone who smokes while enjoying their morning cup of coffee or breakfast may find that he/she lights up each morning without even thinking about it. It becomes an ingrained part of one’s day so that it is no longer a conscious choice.

Smoking may also elicit feelings of love, relaxation, or peace if used to light up during certain situations or while interacting with certain people. For instance, the common stereotype of smoking after sex rings true for many people.

The feelings of closeness one has with his or her partner, combined with the natural endorphin and oxytocin rush, may be intertwined with smoking. Most people feel relaxed, loved, satisfied, and happy after sexual interactions: feelings that can easily be inappropriately linked to the act of smoking when it is performed directly after such acts.

These emotional ties can be harder to break for some, as there are no medications available to help with these attachments.

Psychological addictions can come in many forms. From pornography to eating disorders, and yes, even vaping non-nicotine juices could fall under that category. And, those addictions can also be very difficult to break.

Physical Addiction to Nicotine

Every time someone smokes, nicotine enters the brain almost immediately. According to the American Cancer Society, receptors in the brain absorb the substance, and then dopamine is released, resulting in a feeling of happiness or calm. This is the starting point of physical addiction.

As more cigarettes are smoked, more nicotine receptors are made. This leads to more and more nicotine being needed in order to achieve the same feelings of calm, resulting in the smoking of more cigarettes. As the person becomes accustomed to having this constant flow of nicotine, symptoms like anxiety and stress can manifest if a cigarette break is missed. Once this cycle begins, physical addiction occurs.

Physical nicotine addiction is what most people think of when they consider the addictive properties of cigarettes. It’s also the addiction most smoking cessation aids target and treat. This is because when cigarettes are discontinued, strong physical symptoms can occur as the brain deals with a lack of nicotine.

Nicotine replacement products, for instance, supply a stream of nicotine to offset these symptoms without the need to smoke. It is slowly lowered until the addiction is no longer present. Medications may work by “turning off” the nicotine receptors in the brain, reducing cravings.

Psychological Addiction

This type of addiction is less talked about, and until recently, less often treated in those who try to quit smoking. According to the Respiratory Health Association in Chicago, psychological, mental, or emotional addiction involves the rituals, feelings, or people associated with smoking.

For instance, someone who smokes while enjoying their morning cup of coffee or breakfast may find that he/she lights up each morning without even thinking about it. It becomes an ingrained part of one’s day so that it is no longer a conscious choice.

Smoking may also elicit feelings of love, relaxation, or peace if used to light up during certain situations or while interacting with certain people. For instance, the common stereotype of smoking after sex rings true for many people.

The feelings of closeness one has with his or her partner, combined with the natural endorphin and oxytocin rush, may be intertwined with smoking. Most people feel relaxed, loved, satisfied, and happy after sexual interactions: feelings that can easily be inappropriately linked to the act of smoking when it is performed directly after such acts.

These emotional ties can be harder to break for some, as there are no medications available to help with these attachments.

Psychological addictions can come in many forms. From pornography to eating disorders, and yes, even vaping non-nicotine juices could fall under that category. And, those addictions can also be very difficult to break.

How To Break Nicotine Addiction

  • Physical addictions may be treated using prescription medications, nicotine replacement therapies, and relaxation techniques to help ward off cravings.
  • Mental addiction can be harder to shake, as some smokers may not even realize why they are craving a cigarette at specific times, or they may light up before even realizing they are doing so.

Counseling can help these people talk through feelings of loss or to work through stressful situations in which they’d normally turn to cigarettes. Being mindful of when cigarettes are most desired and keeping distractions nearby can also help.

Even diet can help with smoking cessation. Sometimes the urge to smoke is merely hunger, so eating foods high in fiber will keep the person feeling full and reduce the urge to smoke.

Once the nicotine addiction has been diminished, the mental addiction can be dealt with, allowing smokers to quit at their own pace.

  • Physical addictions may be treated using prescription medications, nicotine replacement therapies, and relaxation techniques to help ward off cravings.
  • Mental addiction can be harder to shake, as some smokers may not even realize why they are craving a cigarette at specific times, or they may light up before even realizing they are doing so.

Counseling can help these people talk through feelings of loss or to work through stressful situations in which they’d normally turn to cigarettes. Being mindful of when cigarettes are most desired and keeping distractions nearby can also help.

Even diet can help with smoking cessation. Sometimes the urge to smoke is merely hunger, so eating foods high in fiber will keep the person feeling full and reduce the urge to smoke.

Once the nicotine addiction has been diminished, the mental addiction can be dealt with, allowing smokers to quit at their own pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Nicotine Does It Take to Get Addicted?

A person can become addicted in a matter of minutes or if they do it continuously over several weeks. The body and brain become addicted to the stimulative and sedative effects that cause emotional well-being and the release of endorphins.

Is Nicotine as Addictive as Caffeine?

Caffeine is not as addictive as nicotine; nicotine addiction can be far more dangerous than caffeine. It is toxic in high enough doses, increases the risk for various diseases, and increases the risk of birth defects or even stillbirth.

Is Nicotine the Hardest to Quit?

It is difficult to say whether it is more challenging to quit than heroin because most people who quit tobacco do not seek professional help.

People who are trying to quit heroin do. Getting professional help can significantly increase a person’s chances of quitting any drug. Additionally, nicotine shares many of heroin’s properties, which makes it difficult to quit.

How Long Does Nicotine Addiction Last?

Nicotine addiction will last for life in those who do not try to quit. However, people who enter a smoking cessation program will eventually see their cravings go away.

The first week of the program is the most challenging because cravings and other nicotine addiction symptoms are most intense during that time. However, getting through that first week is critical because if a person can get through it smoke-free, he or she is more likely to quit successfully.

Why Is Nicotine Still Legal?

There is no single answer to this question, but the most likely is that society does not frown on tobacco use as it does drug use. While tobacco use is unhealthy, using it does not cause people to behave irrationally or increase their potential to harm others or society in general as drug use does. Therefore, as long as society approves of tobacco use, it will remain legal.

How Much Nicotine Does It Take to Get Addicted?

A person can become addicted in a matter of minutes or if they do it continuously over several weeks. The body and brain become addicted to the stimulative and sedative effects that cause emotional well-being and the release of endorphins.

Is Nicotine as Addictive as Caffeine?

Caffeine is not as addictive as nicotine; nicotine addiction can be far more dangerous than caffeine. It is toxic in high enough doses, increases the risk for various diseases, and increases the risk of birth defects or even stillbirth.

Is Nicotine the Hardest to Quit?

It is difficult to say whether it is more challenging to quit than heroin because most people who quit tobacco do not seek professional help.

People who are trying to quit heroin do. Getting professional help can significantly increase a person’s chances of quitting any drug. Additionally, nicotine shares many of heroin’s properties, which makes it difficult to quit.

How Long Does Nicotine Addiction Last?

Nicotine addiction will last for life in those who do not try to quit. However, people who enter a smoking cessation program will eventually see their cravings go away.

The first week of the program is the most challenging because cravings and other nicotine addiction symptoms are most intense during that time. However, getting through that first week is critical because if a person can get through it smoke-free, he or she is more likely to quit successfully.

Why Is Nicotine Still Legal?

There is no single answer to this question, but the most likely is that society does not frown on tobacco use as it does drug use. While tobacco use is unhealthy, using it does not cause people to behave irrationally or increase their potential to harm others or society in general as drug use does. Therefore, as long as society approves of tobacco use, it will remain legal.

Published: July 9, 2015 Updated: November 16, 2021


avatar

Comments

Leave a comment

13 comments on “Nicotine Addiction: What Are The Symptoms and How To Beat it

  • Violet

    April 30, 2018 at 7:34 am

    Excellent article. I wish the world had less drugs snd more support.

  • I

    March 29, 2018 at 12:09 am

    #quit smoking

  • Name (required)

    March 17, 2018 at 10:06 pm

    i don’t inhale when i vape nicotine liquid. am i at risk for ill health or addiction? from what i can tell, if you don’t inhale, you are far less prone to the negative effects of this drug. yeet~!~

    • tylor2000

      June 26, 2018 at 2:27 am

      Bill Clinton said, “I vaped but didn’t inhale.”

    • Melvin ishtar

      August 11, 2018 at 10:04 am

      It doesn’t matter if you inhale it or not it will still be absorbed it will still go to your brain but it will be not as strong because not that much nicotine will get into your but nicotine will go to your brain no matter you inhale it or not

  • ss

    March 7, 2018 at 11:16 am

    goood

  • ss

    March 7, 2018 at 11:16 am

    good

  • Nasreen Showkath

    November 21, 2017 at 7:19 pm

    This article was really useful for my toxicology assignment 🙂 Its highly informative and very well written.
    Thank you !

  • cory

    November 8, 2017 at 9:21 pm

    “as defining drugs go, any substance that has a physiological effect on the body when ingested or otherwise deposited into the body is a drug.”

    Chocolate is also a drug by this definition…

    • Mausi

      September 6, 2018 at 6:45 pm

      Not necessarily chocolate, but the caffeine found in chocolate.

  • cory

    November 8, 2017 at 9:19 pm

    And the withdrawal and craving attributes are a little skewed… Opiate withdrawal is 1000x worse than nicotine… I’ve never noticed really obvious physical or mental withdrawal from nicotine.. but with opiates you cannot even function… however, the craving for nicotine is much stronger than any substance ive ever experienced…

  • cory

    November 8, 2017 at 9:17 pm

    hmm.. from personal experience.. marijuana is far more intoxicating than cocaine…

    • seb

      June 8, 2018 at 11:28 am

      nice