Lesson 3: Tobacco Addiction

 Nicotine is an extremely powerful and addictive drug.  When nicotine enters the body the brain sends a message to the body telling it to speed up heart and breathing rates.  Once this effect wears off the user has intense cravings and needs more and more of the drug.

 Tolerance- Process in which the body needs more and more of a drug to get the same effect.  Physical Dependence- An addiction in which the body itself feels a direct need for a drug.  Psychological Dependence- An addiction in which the mind sends the body a message that it needs more of a drug. ◦ Certain events, situations, and habits trigger a desire to use tobacco.

 Prepare to Stop ◦ Set a specific date for quitting! Stick to it!  Get Support and Encouragement ◦ Let family know you are trying to quit.  Find Out About Health Services ◦ Explore the resources in your community.  Change Your Daily Routine ◦ Get out of your daily habits and change things up  Follow a Healthy Lifestyle ◦ Eat well, manage stress, and get plenty of physical activity.

 Cold Turkey- Quitting all at once.  Withdrawal- Physical and psychological reactions that occur when someone stops using an addictive substance. ◦ Physical symptoms- headaches, nausea, jittery, tiredness, and increased hunger ◦ Psychological symptoms- irritability and trouble sleeping  Nicotine Replacement Therapies- Products that help assist a person in breaking a tobacco habit. ◦ These products reduce the amount of nicotine in the body slowly, reducing the symptoms of withdrawal.

 Learning to live without tobacco takes time and a lot of willpower.  Relapse- A return to the use of a drug after attempting to stop.  Try to always stay positive, if a relapse occurs work harder to quit and not go back to using tobacco.