Nicotine use disorder, commonly referred to as nicotine dependence or addiction, is when someone becomes heavily reliant on nicotine to function. However, not everyone who uses nicotine products develops nicotine use disorder. Instead, it’s only when you continue to use nicotine products, even though it’s harming your body, that you’re classified as having nicotine dependence.
People develop nicotine use disorder because of how nicotine affects their brain. Nicotine, which is found in tobacco and tobacco products, activates the pleasure sensors in your brain and makes you feel good. Therefore, because you want to continue to feel good, you continue using nicotine products. Eventually, you become so reliant on nicotine to feel good that you become addicted to it and cannot stop using tobacco products.
The main sign that someone has nicotine use disorder is that they frequently use tobacco products and can’t stop using them even though the nicotine is hurting their bodies. People who develop nicotine dependence will find it extremely difficult to stop using tobacco products and will have to consume nicotine in increasingly great amounts. This happens because, with repeated use, people build up a tolerance to nicotine.
Here are some of the other signs and symptoms of nicotine use disorder.
Essentially, you know that you have nicotine use disorder when several things happen. First, smoking and using tobacco products will become the most important thing in your life. Second, you’ll find yourself craving tobacco. Finally, you’ll continue using tobacco products even once you realize that it’s hurting your mental and physical well-being.
Unlike cocaine, heroin, opioids, and other illegal drugs, tobacco products are readily available to the general public. Cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and many other products contain nicotine and can lead to nicotine use disorder. Here’s how it works.
Because of how readily available tobacco products are, anyone can develop nicotine use disorder. However, there’s a greater chance of you developing the disorder if you have one of these risk factors.
As with most substance abuse addictions, there’s no definitive test to diagnose nicotine use disorder. Instead, a doctor will diagnose you based on whether or not you have the aforementioned symptoms. They may also perform tests to see if you have a medical condition that results from excessive smoking or tobacco use.
Luckily, even though nicotine is highly addictive, it’s tough to overcome nicotine use disorder, recovery is possible. Through a combination of willpower, determination, and treatment, anyone can stop using nicotine. Popular treatment options include behavioural and cognitive therapy to help you identify triggers that make you want to use nicotine, as well as to help you realize that you don’t need nicotine to survive.
Medications are also popular treatment options to help ease the symptoms of withdrawal and wean you off of nicotine. In the end, however, recovery is a lifelong process that will require a conscious effort to steer clear of tobacco products.