Nicotine withdrawal

src: i.ytimg.com

Nicotine withdrawal is a group of symptoms that occur within the first few weeks after abrupt cessation or decreased nicotine intake. Symptoms include nicotine cravings, anger/irritability, anxiety, depression, impatience, insomnia, anxiety, starvation or weight, and difficulty concentrating. A quit smoking program can increase a person's chances of success in stopping nicotine. Nicotine withdrawal is well recognized in the American Diagnostic and Statistical Association of Psychiatric Manuals and WHO International Classification of Diseases.

Video Nicotine withdrawal

Signs and symptoms

The most documented symptoms are the desire for nicotine, anger/irritability, anxiety, depression, impatience, insomnia, anxiety, starvation or weight gain, and difficulty concentrating. Symptoms are usually strongest during the first few days and then disappear for 2-4 weeks. Withdrawal symptoms make it more difficult to stop nicotine products and most methods for quitting smoking involve a decrease in nicotine withdrawal. The most common symptoms are irritation, anxiety and difficulty concentrating. Depression and insomnia are the most unusual. Other withdrawal symptoms may include constipation, coughing, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, impulsivity, fatigue, flu symptoms, mood swings, mouth ulcers, and increased dreams. Nicotine withdrawal usually increases eating and weight loss, reduces memory, reduces ability to pay attention and concentrates on tasks, and decreases heart rate. Tobacco cessation may also require varying drug levels.

Maps Nicotine withdrawal

Definitions

The effects that nicotine-dependent individuals experience after they stop or reduce the use of nicotine. Nicotine is the most common addictive substance found in tobacco and tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, snus, tobacco, and most electric cigarette liquids. Withdrawal is the body's reaction to not having the usual nicotine. Withdrawal is the most common and intense smokers and smokers in smokeless users. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms usually appear 2-3 hours after nicotine and peak intake in the last 2-3 days. In a small percentage of smokers, cravings can last for years. Withdrawal of nicotine causes some physical signs and is not life-threatening but the associated desire can be as severe as a withdrawal from other drugs. There is some evidence that stopping nicotine may make previous psychiatric problems worse but this is uncertain. After the initial withdrawal period, anxiety, depression, and quality of life generally improve so that former smokers are better than sustained smokers.

src: slideplayer.com

Cause

Various causes have been proposed to explain the causes of nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine binds to nicotinic receptors in the brain which, in turn, leads to increased dopamine. Dopamine is the main chemical that stimulates the reward centers in the brain. The brain recruits opposing forces to reduce the effects of nicotine and this leads to tolerance (reduction of the effects of nicotine). The beginnings of this opposite force and the fact that the brain becomes accustomed and dependent on normal functioning nicotine is known as physical dependence. When nicotine intake decreases, opposing forces with the brain are now resisted and this causes withdrawal symptoms. It also appears that opiates, serotonergic, glutamic, cannabinoid, and corticotrophin receptors may play a role in nicotine withdrawal.

src: img.webmd.com

Treatment

Gradually reducing the intake of nicotine causes fewer withdrawals than abruptly stops. Another way to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms is to provide the body with an alternative source of nicotine (nicotine replacement therapy) for a temporary period and then reduce this new nicotine intake. Other drugs used to quit smoking include bupropion, varenicline, cytisine, nortriptyline, and clonidine. Treatments other than drugs, such as exercise enhancement, can also reduce nicotine withdrawal. Many behavioral changes such as avoiding situations where people usually smoke, planning for the future to face temptation, and seeking support from friends and family are effective in helping people quit smoking, but is this because the reduction in withdrawals is unclear.

src: i.pinimg.com

Epidemiology

Most cigarette smokers have at least one of the above withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit. Withdrawals can happen to less frequent users, but heavier users and those with past or current psychiatric disorders tend to have more severe withdrawals. Genetics also affects the severity of withdrawal.

src: i.ytimg.com

See also

• Withdrawals
• Smoking cess

src: www.pnas.org

References

Source of the article : Wikipedia