Nicotine Addiction

[Mark74]

Is nicotine addictive, I have heard lots of different opinions on the subject but nothing really conclusive. I have been told that the repetative action of smoking is really down to the brain being used to the action and the circumstances associated with the act. Others have said that nicotine is a drug and is addictive but the definition of addiction is that you must increase the dosage or decrease the time between intake which doesn't really fit with smoking 20 a day for 10 years or so?????? Any help??????

[horsestache1]

Nicotine

[horsestache1]

Sorry, don't know what happened there!!

Nicotine is a drug and is addictive. This means that you become dependent on it, it does not mean that you have to increase the dosage or decrease the time in between. You will get withdrawal symptoms if you stop, hense all the replacement treatments available.

[Mark74]

But the replacement treatments are self confessed to a degree to only aid your quitting success marginally, Some of the patch information on the web posted by the company itself does say something along the lines off, your just as likely to quit without as with the treatment????????? I am confused!

[Loosehead]

Addictive is the phrase often used but really it is mis used. Addictive means that the body needs it and will get very ill or die without it. Stopping heroin in one go for example can be fatal. However stopping smoking does cause a mental withdrawal but the pysical affects are akin to drying out after a lot of boozing, ie only last a few days while the body clears out the toxins. It is technically a mental "addiction" ie the user is hooked rather than truly addicted. Someone stopping smoking will have no trace of nicotine in the body after 4-7 days. The effects on the mind and the recovery of the body take longer of course and no one can deny the "grip" it has on the mind for a long time after.

[Mark74]

Thanks Loosehead, that shines a light on the subject and gives it some clarity. It also gives some distinction to the addiction view.

[maxximus]

i don't believe that if you stopped smoking it would clear your system in 4-7 days.nicotine stores itself in your fat cells ,hair, and nails. so even when you stop or try to any physical activity that breaks down fat cells releases it into your system and gives you a little taste which gives you the craving to light up and keep those nasty levels up in your system. that's it i got to go have a smoke.

[rojash]

The American Surgeon General would seem to disagree with you Loosehead; he has this to say:

"Nicotine: A Powerful Addiction

If you have tried to quit smoking, you know how hard it can be. It is hard because nicotine is a very addictive drug. For some people, it can be as addictive as heroin or cocaine."

[Loosehead]

yes rojash, MENTALLY addictive. The body does not alter to "need" nicotine, there are nural effects in the brain that "learn" the experience so it becomes desirable, that's why it soon becomes very difficult to stop. We all agree it's a powerful addiction but it's mostly in the Mind.

Maxximus, see here: http://health.howstuffworks.com/nicotine2.htm

most of it's gone after 6 hours!

[mjd]

But I didn't think that the body altered in the case of heroin addiction.

I understand that herion is so addictive because it is so similar to endorphins that it locks into the receptors in the brain that the endorphins use ( endorphins natural pain killers released by the body after strenuous exercise)

[spat]

sorry to be a pedant but heroin withdrawal does not cause fatality. it is fairly uncomfortable right enough but physiologically isnt too dangerous. stopping drinking alcohol suddenly from a dependent state however is very dangerous