Tobacco Use Disorder
(Tobacco Use Disorder; Smoking Addiction)
Definition | Causes | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Secondhand Smoke Exposure | Prevention
Definition
Nicotine addiction is when a person becomes dependent on tobacco. Tobacco contains nicotine. Tobacco may be found in:
- Cigarettes
- Smokeless tobacco products (eg, snuff, chewing tobacco)
- Cigars
- Pipes
This condition can harm a person's health, but it can be treated. Talk to your doctor if you think you have nicotine addiction.
Causes
Nicotine can create feelings of pleasure. But the effects go away within a few minutes. Tobacco users need to keep using tobacco to keep feeling good. This can lead to addiction.
Risk Factors
The following increase your chance of developing nicotine addiction. If you have any of these risk factors, tell your doctor:
- Schizophrenia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depression
- Other mental illness
Symptoms
If you have any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to nicotine addiction. They may be caused by other health problems. See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:
-
Nicotine “highs”
- Increase in blood pressure, blood sugar level, breathing rate, or heart rate
-
Nicotine withdrawal
- Feeling irritable
- Having cravings
- Thinking and attention problems
- Trouble sleeping
- Increased appetite
- Nervousness
- Headache
-
Tobacco-related health problems
- Smoker’s cough
- Hot flashes in women
Throat Cancer
If you are addicted to nicotine, you may be at risk for these health problems:
- Cancer, like cancers of the larynx (voice box), oral cavity, throat, esophagus, lung, and colon
- Chronic bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Dementia
- Miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth, infant death, low birth weight, or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Shorter life span
- Problems if you have surgery
Diagnosis
Your doctor will:
- Ask about your symptoms and medical history
- Do a physical exam
- Test how well your lungs work
He will ask you questions like:
- How long you have you been using tobacco?
- How often do you use it?
Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment for you. Treatment options include:
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
NRT relieves withdrawal symptoms. NRT products:
- Nicotine gum
- Lozenges
- Nasal sprays
- Patches
- Inhalers
The chance of abusing these products is low since NRT does not create "feel good" feelings.
NRT may help you to:
- Avoid smoking
- Reduce the amount of tobacco you use
- Quit and stay smoke-free
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapies include:
- Counseling
- Group behavior therapy
- Telephone quit lines, cell phone programs, and text messaging programs
- Internet and computer-based programs
- Self-help classes and manuals
- Cognitive behavioral therapy —This teaches people to recognize high-risk tobacco situations, develop coping strategies, manage stress, improve problem-solving skills, and increase social support.
Secondhand Smoke Exposure
Even if you do not smoke, regularly being around tobacco smoke is dangerous.
- Secondhand smoke causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke.
-
Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk for:
- SIDS
- Lung infections
- Ear problems
- Severe asthma
- Being exposed to secondhand smoke while pregnant can increase the risk of stillbirth and birth defects.
- Parents who smoke can cause breathing problems and slow lung growth in their children.
- Secondhand smoke affects the heart and causes coronary heart disease and lung cancer in adults.
Separating smokers from nonsmokers and cleaning the air cannot prevent nonsmokers from inhaling secondhand smoke. But preventing smoking in indoor spaces can protect nonsmokers.
Prevention
The best prevention is to never use tobacco products. They are very addictive. Also, stay away from places where people are smoking.
American Cancer Society
Canadian Cancer Society
The Lung Association
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Questions about smoking, tobacco, and health. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/. Accessed September 25, 2006.
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Last reviewed December 2011 by Ryan Estevez, MD, PhD, MPH
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
