Smoking and Drug Addiction

                           Smoking - Drug Addiction

Smoking is a popular activity for many people who continue to enjoy it even though they are well aware of the health risks.   
The main reason for this is nicotine addiction. Tobacco contains nicotine - a stimulant which affects both the mind and the body.
Effects of Smoking:
Smokers claim that it helps them to relax or gives them an energy boost or ‘rush’. They argue that it relieves stress, increases concentration. Many smokers find that the first time they smoke they feel sick, dizzy or get a headache.
Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide and other chemicals which when inhaled, increases heart rate, blood pressure and respiration. It causes a surge in energy which is due to the release of adrenaline. This causes that energy boost and also acts upon insulin production which smokers believe suppresses their appetite.
Other physical effects include a dry mouth, a decrease in urine production and dizziness.
Psychological effects include a feeling of relaxation and generally being in a good mood. Some smokers find that it calms their nerves or energizes them, especially if they smoke first thing in the morning.
  •      The withdrawal symptoms include:
  • ·         Mood swing
  • ·         Irritability
  •           Anxiety
  • ·         Edginess
  • ·         Constant hunger
  • ·         Headaches
  • ·         Tiredness
Risks of Smoking:
  • ·         Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • ·         Cancers of the nose, throat, kidney, pancreas, larynx, bladder and cervix.
  • ·         Sexual problems such as impotence
  • ·         Risk of infertility in both sexes
  • ·         Ageing
  • ·         Peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation)
  • ·         Diabetes
  • ·         Chest Infections
  • ·         Hyperthyroidism
  • ·         Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
  • ·         Osteoporosis
  • ·         Dental problems such as gum disease
  • ·         Asthma
Smoking is expensive, stains your teeth and clothes, dulls your taste buds and sense of smell and overall, is considered socially unacceptable.
Treatment for Smoking & Drug Addiction :
Both behavioral treatments and medications can help people quit smoking, but the combination of medication with counseling is more effective than either alone.

1.      Behavioral Treatments:

Behavioral treatments use a variety of methods to help people quit smoking, ranging from self-help materials to counseling. These treatments teach people to recognize high-risk situations and develop strategies to deal with them. For example, people who hang out with others who smoke are more likely to smoke and less likely to quit.

2.      Nicotine Replacement Therapies:

Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) were the first medications the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for use in smoking cessation therapy.
Current FDA-approved NRT products include chewing gum, transdermal patch, nasal sprays, inhalers, and lozenges. NRTs deliver a controlled dose of nicotine to relieve withdrawal symptoms while the person tries to quit.

3.      Other Medications:

Bupropion (Zyban) and varenicline (Chantix) are two FDA-approved non-nicotine medications that have helped people quit smoking. They target nicotine receptors in the brain, easing withdrawal symptoms and blocking the effects of nicotine if people start smoking again.





                                                   

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