Cigarette Addiction

What Makes Cigarettes So Addictive?

Nearly 16 million Americans have a smoking-related illness, according to the CDC. Despite the serious health risks, millions continue to smoke due to addiction.

Cigarettes contain nicotine, which is a naturally occurring chemical from the tobacco plant. When inhaled through a cigarette, nicotine reaches the brain quickly and causes the body to release dopamine, creating a brief sense of euphoria and feelings of calm and pleasure.

Smoking cigarettes can alter your brain chemistry and require nicotine to feel good, making cigarettes highly addictive.

Other tobacco products include:

• Smokeless tobacco (including dipping tobacco, SNUS, chewing tobacco)
• Cigars and cigarillos (small cigars)
• Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) or vapes
• Pipes
• Hookah
• Nicotine gels and dissolvables

Risk Factors for Developing Cigarette Addiction

Research shows that smoking just one cigarette can put you at risk of developing a cigarette addiction due to the immediate effects on your brain.

Some people are predisposed to becoming addicted to cigarettes through genetics or their physical or social environment.

Those with a family history of addiction or who are regularly exposed to cigarette smoke may be more likely to try smoking cigarettes and becoming addicted to them.

Peer pressure or seeing smoking portrayed in a positive light can impact smoking rates, especially among adolescents. Young adults and teens are especially susceptible to becoming addicted to smoking cigarettes due to their still-developing brains.

Studies suggest that the younger you are when smoking for the first time, the higher the likelihood of an addiction-forming.

Low socioeconomic status and high stress levels are other risk factors for developing a cigarette addiction.

Health Risks of Cigarette Addiction

The health consequences of smoking cigarettes are numerous and can be deadly.

According to the CDC, smoking cigarettes is the leading preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the U.S., causing more than 480,000 avoidable deaths each year. That is 1 in 5 of all deaths!

Cigarettes contain many harmful chemicals, including arsenic, tar, carbon monoxide, acetone, and lead. These are known poisons that many would not purposefully ingest on their own, but when wrapped up and disguised in a cigarette, they are inhaled regularly.

Smoking cigarettes negatively impacts every organ in the body and can cause numerous health problems, including:

• Cancer
• Type II Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Lung Disease (including COPD)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Reproductive Issues (including infertility and pregnancy complications)
• Decreased Immunity

Signs of Cigarette Addiction

An addiction to cigarettes can form quickly and be hard to break. Signs of cigarette addiction can be physical and psychological.

Some signs of cigarette addiction to look out for include:

• Cravings to smoke cigarettes
• Anxiety or restlessness
• Irritability or anger
• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
• Increased appetite or weight gain when not smoking
• Needing to smoke more cigarettes to feel satisfied
• Wanting to stop smoking cigarettes but not being able to

Common Strategies for Quitting Cigarette Use

There are many different methods to explore when quitting smoking cigarettes.

Some practical options include:

• Identifying triggers
• Staying busy
• Using coping strategies
• Calling a friend
• Rewarding yourself
• Use safe substitutes (e.g., toothpicks, straws, etc.)
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
• Medication
• Counseling

While each person is unique and may benefit from varying levels of intervention, quitting cigarettes can be difficult.

Talk to your healthcare provider about the best option for you to quit smoking.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is a way for people to wean themselves off nicotine through various methods.

Typical NRT methods include:

• Nicotine patches
• Nicotine gum
• Nicotine lozenges
• Nicotine inhalers
• Nicotine nasal spray

This allows for the levels of nicotine to be gradually decreased over time in an attempt to decrease symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.

NRT is effective and increases success rates of quitting smoking cigarettes by over 50%.

Medication

The FDA has approved several medications to aid in smoking cessation. These medications work by decreasing cravings for smoking and blocking the effects of nicotine in your brain.

• Bupropion (Welbutrin): an antidepressant that decreases cravings for smoking
• Varenicline (Chantix, Champix): blocks nicotine receptors in your brain, so smoking isn’t as enjoyable, making it easier to quit

Counseling Approaches

While smoking cigarettes is a substance use disorder (SUD) due to the addictive properties of nicotine, smoking is also considered a behavioral addiction.

Those addicted to smoking cigarettes can benefit from various forms of counseling to address harmful thought patterns and actions contributing to the addiction.

Common forms of counseling for smoking cessation include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): helps identify negative thoughts and behaviors leading to smoking
• Motivational Interviewing (MI): increases motivation and commitment to quit smoking
• Individual Counseling: personalized treatment for individual challenges contributing to smoking addiction
• Group Counseling: provides peer support, shared strategies, and encouragement for quitting smoking

Counseling can help people discover hobbies and healthier habits and learn to avoid triggering situations or people that may tempt them to smoke cigarettes.

Alternative Therapies

While science may not back all methods for quitting smoking, some swear by alternative therapies for quitting smoking.

Some therapies may increase mental toughness and coping strategies, allowing smokers to resist their cravings. In contrast, others may distract them and make it easier to say no to cigarettes when cravings arise.

Some alternative therapies include:

• Acupuncture
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Hypnotherapy
• Exercise
• Cytisine (a medication used in Europe for smoking cessation that is currently undergoing clinical trials for approval in the U.S.)

Find Support for Quitting Cigarettes

Cigarettes are highly addictive and harmful to overall health. While quitting smoking can be challenging, there are options and support available to help you quit for good. SAMHSA’s online treatment locator can help you address your addiction and offers mental health support online or through their free helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

Whether you need medication, counseling, support, or guidance, help is available. Talk to your primary healthcare provider about options for quitting smoking or connect with a local or online support group such as Nicotine Anonymous for more resources and support while starting your tobacco-free life.