Chewing Tobacco Addiction
Chewing tobacco has a long history, but the Surgeon General deemed it harmful in 1986, comparing its addictive quality to morphine and cocaine. It’s a myth that chewing tobacco is safer than smoking. While it has fewer harmful chemicals than cigarettes, it contains more nicotine and can be even more addictive.
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What Is Chewing Tobacco?
Chewing tobacco is a smokeless tobacco product consisting of coarsely shredded or ground tobacco leaves placed in the cheek to absorb nicotine. Oral tissues have many blood vessels that absorb nicotine quickly, causing the desired effects almost instantly.
In addition to traditional loose-leaf varieties, some users prefer tobacco pouches, which are small, pre-portioned packets of chewing tobacco designed to reduce mess while delivering nicotine.
These pouches are often flavored or sweetened, similar to loose chewing tobacco, and still require the user to chew and spit tobacco juices.
Other types of smokeless tobacco products include:
- Dipping Tobacco (Dip)
- Snus
- Snuff
- Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or vapes
- Nicotine gels and dissolvables
What Makes Chewing Tobacco Addictive?
Chewing tobacco contains nicotine, a naturally occurring chemical that triggers the release of dopamine in the brain, creating feelings of pleasure.
Regular tobacco use causes the brain to develop a tolerance, requiring higher amounts of nicotine to achieve the same “buzz” or sense of satisfaction. This process makes nicotine highly addictive.
A regular amount of chewing tobacco used for 30 minutes contains the amount of nicotine equivalent to 3-4 cigarettes.
Without steady amounts of nicotine, dopamine levels drop, leading to cravings and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as irritability or restlessness.
Health Risks of Chewing Tobacco Addiction
Chewing tobacco and other forms of smokeless tobacco are often promoted as safer than cigarettes because they are not linked to lung cancer, but they are far from harmless and have a long list of other health risks.
All tobacco products pose health risks, but chewing tobacco specifically targets the mouth, oral tissues, tongue, gums, teeth, and esophagus due to direct exposure.
Other health risks of chewing tobacco include:
- Nicotine addiction
- Gum disease
- Tooth loss or decay
- Bad breath or stained teeth
- Leukoplakia (grey or white patches in the mouth that can become cancerous)
- Oral cancer (lips, cheek, tongue, gums, roof of mouth)
- Esophageal and throat cancer (increased risk when swallowing tobacco juices)
- Pancreatic cancer
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate (higher risk of heart attack and stroke)
- Heart disease
- Digestive issues (especially when swallowing tobacco juices)
- Lowered immune system and delayed healing
- Reproductive issues (infertility, premature birth, low birth weight, birth defects, stillbirth)
Signs of Chewing Tobacco Addiction
When someone forms an addiction to chewing tobacco, there will be physical and behavioral signs. Once the body becomes dependent on regular doses of nicotine, uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms will develop without it.
Signs of addiction to chewing tobacco include:
- Cravings for chewing tobacco
- Needing higher doses to achieve the same desired effect
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when cutting back or going without
- Irritability or anger
- Anxiety or restlessness
- Avoiding activities where they can’t use chewing tobacco
- Difficulty concentrating
- Insomnia
- Increased appetite or weight gain when not using
- Continuing to use chewing tobacco despite negative side effects or health issues
Common Strategies for Quitting Chewing Tobacco
Due to its addictive nature and accessibility (e.g., chewing tobacco can be used in places where smoking is prohibited), users can become heavily dependent and have a hard time quitting.
Various methods are available to help users cut back and quit chewing tobacco for good.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is an effective way for users to wean themselves off of nicotine to try to minimize withdrawal symptoms. NRT helps quit smokeless tobacco use of any kind, including chewing tobacco.
Approved forms of NRT include:
- Nicotine gum
- Nicotine patches
- Nicotine lozenges
- Nicotine inhalers
- Nicotine nasal spray
Some chewing tobacco users prefer oral NRT, such as lozenges or gum, to replace the feeling of chewing tobacco. Many providers recommend using a combination of a nicotine patch for long-term coverage along with a short-acting form like gum.
NRT increases your risk of quitting by over 50% and can be purchased over-the-counter or prescribed by your doctor.
Medication
The FDA has approved several medications to aid in smoking cessation by diminishing cravings and blocking nicotine receptors in your brain, so the effects are muted and less pleasurable, making it easier to quit.
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin): An antidepressant that also decreases cravings for chewing tobacco
- Varenicline (Chantix, Champix): Blocks nicotine receptors in your brain, making the effects of chewing tobacco less enjoyable
Counseling Approaches
Like many addictions, chewing tobacco addiction can be influenced by mental health struggles. Those with mental health disorders are more likely to develop addictions and can have a harder time quitting.
Counseling can help provide support while developing healthier habits and coping mechanisms needed to quit using chewing tobacco.
Common forms of counseling used to help quit chewing tobacco include:
- Individual counseling
- Group counseling
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Motivational Interviewing
Find Treatment for Chewing Tobacco Addiction
Quitting chewing tobacco can be challenging, but the long-term health benefits far outweigh the temporary discomfort. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best method for you to quit chewing tobacco.
SAMHSA’s online treatment locator or free helpline can connect you with mental health professionals and counselors who can support you on your journey to becoming tobacco-free.
You can also call the National Cancer Institute’s telephone quitline at 877-44U-QUIT (877-448-7848) or your state’s quitline at 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669).
FAQs About Chewing Tobacco Addiction
Is chewing tobacco safer than smoking?
While chewing tobacco is less likely to cause lung cancer, it is far from safe. Chewing tobacco can cause various other forms of cancer, such as mouth, throat, and pancreatic cancer, as well as other health problems like heart disease, stroke, and pregnancy complications.
What is smokeless tobacco?
Smokeless tobacco is a form of tobacco product that is not burned or smoked. Smokeless tobacco can come as chewing tobacco, snuff, snus, or dissolvable tobacco. All forms of tobacco products can be addictive and harmful to your health.
What are the best methods for quitting chewing tobacco?
The best methods for quitting chewing tobacco include behavioral methods (e.g., support groups and counseling), NRT (nicotine replacement therapy), and medications. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best option for you to quit chewing tobacco.
Can you quit smoking by switching to chewing tobacco?
Because of the significant health risks, chewing tobacco is not a good method to quit smoking. Despite popular belief, research does not suggest that switching to chewing tobacco is an effective way to quit smoking. Talk to your healthcare provider about effective ways to quit using tobacco products.
What makes chewing tobacco bad for you?
Chewing tobacco is bad for you because it can lead to addiction, contains many toxic, cancer-causing chemicals, and potentially cause various health problems such as:
- Cancer of the mouth, esophagus and pancreas
- Increased blood pressure and cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Pregnancy complications (e.g., premature birth, low birth weight, birth defects, stillbirth)
- Gum disease, tooth decay, and leukoplakia (white patches in the mouth)
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