• Nicotine is the primary psychoactive substance in cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products that causes addiction.
• Smoking increases the risk of developing several health conditions, including cancer and heart disease.
• A combination of factors, such as genetics and mental health, causes addiction to smoking.
• Withdrawal symptoms, including irritability, anxiety, and cravings, can make quitting difficult.
• Quitting smoking can help reduce symptoms and prevent further damage to your physical health.
Smoking is a major risk factor for developing several serious health conditions, including cancer and liver and heart disease. It can also increase the risk of stroke and lead to breathing problems. Smoke people are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. But many Americans continue to do this destructive behavior, with some addicted to it. Here’s what you need to know about this disease.
What Is Addiction?
Addiction is a chronic disorder in which an individual compulsively engages in a behavior despite its negative consequences. In most cases, addiction is caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, environment, and mental health issues. When it comes to smoking specifically, there are two critical components to the addictive process: nicotine dependence and habit formation. Your altered brain and withdrawal symptoms can also affect your addiction.
Nicotine Dependence
Nicotine is the primary psychoactive substance in cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products. It works by stimulating certain parts of the brain responsible for pleasure and reward—when you smoke a cigarette or chew on some tobacco leaves, you’re releasing dopamine into your brain that gives you a short-term feeling of pleasure or satisfaction. Over time this leads to physical dependence on nicotine and psychological cravings for more.
Habit Formation
On top of physical nicotine dependence comes habit formation—a person becomes so used to having cigarettes around that they reach for them without thinking whenever they feel stressed or anxious. This can be further compounded by external cues such as seeing someone else light up or passing by a place where you used to buy cigarettes regularly. It may not seem like much at first, but over time, these habits become deeply ingrained in their minds and can be incredibly hard to break without help.
Altered Brain
Those with an addiction also have an altered reward system in their brain. They may not receive the same pleasure from activities they once enjoyed, as smoking has rewired their brains to get pleasure from nicotine instead.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Lastly, withdrawal symptoms can make it even harder when you try to quit smoking. This includes irritability, anxiety, cigarette cravings, difficulty concentrating or sleeping, restlessness, and more. Sadly, one of the ways to reduce these symptoms is to continue smoking. But then this creates a cycle of addiction that’s hard to break.
Physical Effects of Smoking Addiction
The smoking addiction has numerous physical effects. Here are some of those physical effects.
Tooth Loss
Those who smoke are much more likely to experience tooth loss due to cigarette chemicals weakening their teeth and gums. Dentists suggest replacing these teeth immediately, as further damage can lead to oral cancer. Robust implant dentistry can help replace any teeth you might’ve lost. It can also help maintain or restore your oral health.
Heart Disease
Smoking can damage the heart and blood vessels, raising the risk of a stroke or heart attack. As such, people who smoke are more likely to develop coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, and an irregular heartbeat. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to protect your heart health.
Cancer
Smoking is linked to many forms of cancer, including the throat, lungs, stomach, pancreas, and bladder. Women are also at greater risk for cervical cancer if they smoke. Cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and other options.
Emphysema
Smoking can also damage the lungs and cause emphysema, a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. This is due to the destruction of alveoli or air sacs in the lungs. Quitting smoking can help reduce symptoms and prevent further damage.
Impact On Your Lifestyle
Smoking can also take a toll on your lifestyle. Not only does it harm your physical health, but it can also affect relationships and impede career progression. For instance, studies have found that smoking is associated with lower job satisfaction, poorer performance at work, and higher absenteeism rates.
Quitting Smoking
If you’re struggling with an addiction to smoking, it’s important to get help. There are many resources available that can provide support and guidance on quitting. Your doctor may recommend medications or therapy to help break the habit and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Make sure you find a reputable source for information about how to quit, so you can make sure you’re making the right decision for your health.
Smoking addiction is a severe problem, but quitting and living a healthier life is possible. With determination and support, you can kick this habit for good and start taking steps toward a brighter future. By knowing what you’re up against and taking the necessary steps, you can get on the path to recovery.
