Nicotine meets the criteria of a highly addictive drug
Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Maybe I need to work on my "charm" : ) : : : Do you think I’m "too" honest with women ? : ) : : : Tony : Maybe I should come to Holland for 6 months and attend the McPhillip School of Charm : ) Did I ever tell you how beautiful your eyes are ? 
Tony
Hee hoo,that is much better sir ! You are learning fast 
I am sorry to say the McPhilip School of Charm does not take American Pupils anymore 
Love Anna with the beautifull eyes hehe…….
Response:
: Tony, : I think you are charming enough… You add a sense of humor and charm to : the group!!! And that’s a compliment! : smiles, : Elise : Thank you for the compliment ((((((Elise))))))) I enjoy your presence at ASAP also : ) Tony
Response:
: Maybe I need to work on my "charm" : ) : : : Do you think I’m "too" honest with women ? : ) : : : Tony : Maybe I should come to Holland for 6 months and attend the McPhillip School of Charm : ) Did I ever tell you how beautiful your eyes are ? Tony
Response:
Maybe I need to work on my "charm" : )
Do you think I’m "too" honest with women ? : )
Tony
Response:
I am a very light smoker. And I do notice that after I have a cig, I feel a little more anxious. Someday I may just quit… I have quit several times and for years at a time. The last time I had quit for 4 years but when my daughter had medical problems it just got the best of me and that was in 1997. smiles, Elise
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Good post, Tony, : : : The association between depression and smoking is well established. A : lifetime history of major depression is more than twice as common in : people who smoke compared to people who do not smoke. : : While the above is true, it may not be telling the whole story. : Cigarette smoke does contain MAOI like chemicals that can moderate many : psych disorders. There is a school of thought that people with a : predisposition to them are more likely to take up smoking because they : get more out of smoking than others. However, overall, smoking probably : make anxiety disorders worse. Certainly, I’ve done a whole lot better : since I quit. : : Ian Me too Ian. I smoked from the ages of 17 to 24 or so. This was all pre-PD but I was always anxious in my youth and the cigarettes did have a calming effect. I did most of smoking when I was out drinking on the weekends. There are lots of people at ASAP who have either smoked or are still smoking cigarettes. It is probably true that anxious folks I did give up coffee when my PD became an every day event. I used to drink lots of coffee, especially at work (office situation). In the past few years I’ve been getting back into caffeine in the form of Diet Coke. I think this may be a result of my general anxiety levels lowering and possibly a need for me to cut back on clonazepam (2 mg per day) instead of using caffeine. Tony
Response:
Tony, I think you are charming enough… You add a sense of humor and charm to the group!!! And that’s a compliment! smiles, Elise – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Maybe I need to work on my "charm" : ) Do you think I’m "too" honest with women ? : ) Tony
Response:
: : I prefer to be patted on the butt : ) : : Tony <VBHG very big horny grin : )
: MR. TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE : Tutututututututut : roflol Maybe I need to work on my "charm" : ) Do you think I’m "too" honest with women ? : ) Tony
Response:
I prefer to be patted on the butt : ) Tony <VBHG very big horny grin : )
MR. TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Tutututututututut roflol
Response:
I prefer to be patted on the butt : ) Tony <VBHG very big horny grin : )
: : Sorry Anna. : : : Tony : : <petting Tony on the head : It’s allright me boy 
)) : : Big hug from Anna :
Response:
: Good post, Tony, : : : The association between depression and smoking is well established. A : lifetime history of major depression is more than twice as common in : people who smoke compared to people who do not smoke. : : While the above is true, it may not be telling the whole story. : Cigarette smoke does contain MAOI like chemicals that can moderate many : psych disorders. There is a school of thought that people with a : predisposition to them are more likely to take up smoking because they : get more out of smoking than others. However, overall, smoking probably : make anxiety disorders worse. Certainly, I’ve done a whole lot better : since I quit. : : Ian Me too Ian. I smoked from the ages of 17 to 24 or so. This was all pre-PD but I was always anxious in my youth and the cigarettes did have a calming effect. I did most of smoking when I was out drinking on the weekends. There are lots of people at ASAP who have either smoked or are still smoking cigarettes. It is probably true that anxious folks I did give up coffee when my PD became an every day event. I used to drink lots of coffee, especially at work (office situation). In the past few years I’ve been getting back into caffeine in the form of Diet Coke. I think this may be a result of my general anxiety levels lowering and possibly a need for me to cut back on clonazepam (2 mg per day) instead of using caffeine. Tony
Response:
Sorry Anna. Tony
: You are really fun to be around : : Miss Anna :
Response:
Sorry Anna. Tony
<petting Tony on the head It’s allright me boy )) Big hug from Anna
Response:
Good post, Tony, The association between depression and smoking is well established. A lifetime history of major depression is more than twice as common in people who smoke compared to people who do not smoke.
While the above is true, it may not be telling the whole story. Cigarette smoke does contain MAOI like chemicals that can moderate many psych disorders. There is a school of thought that people with a predisposition to them are more likely to take up smoking because they get more out of smoking than others. However, overall, smoking probably make anxiety disorders worse. Certainly, I’ve done a whole lot better since I quit. Ian
Response:
You are really fun to be around Miss Anna
Response:
Cigarette smoking is a major preventable cause of disease worldwide, and it is the major cause of premature death in North America. In 1912, Adler first suggested that inhalation of cigarette smoke might be a cause of lung cancer. Since then, knowledge about the adverse health effects of smoking has accumulated. The important causes of mortality are atherosclerotic vascular disease, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smoking also can contribute to other diseases, eg, histiocytosis X, respiratory bronchiolitis, obstructive sleep apnea, idiopathic pneumothorax, low birth weight, and perinatal mortality. Research investigating why people smoke has shown that smoking behavior is multifaceted. Factors influencing smoking initiation differ from those of smoking behavior maintenance. Nicotine dependence, genetic factors, and psychosocial factors influence maintenance of smoking behavior. Nicotine meets the criteria of a highly addictive drug. Nicotine is a potent psychoactive drug that induces euphoria, serves as a reinforcer of its use, and leads to nicotine withdrawal syndrome when it is absent. Nicotine in cigarette smoke affects mood and performance and is the source of addiction to tobacco. While cigarette manufacturers have publicly denied that nicotine is an addictive drug, recent documents disclose that they have known and used the addictive properties of nicotine since the 1950s. Unfortunately, this misinformation led to the false belief that nicotine use is a habit and not an addiction. All health care professionals should be aware of the risks of tobacco smoking, understand tobacco addiction, and assist patients with smoking cessation. Pathophysiology: Nicotine releases hormones that act on various receptors in the brain. Nicotine use results in more efficient processing of information and reduction of fatigue. In addition, nicotine has a sedative action, reduces anxiety, and induces euphoria. Nicotine effects are related to absolute blood levels and to the rate of increase in drug concentration at receptors. Nicotine stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary axis; this, in turn, stimulates the endocrine system. Continually increasing dose levels of nicotine are necessary to maintain the stimulating effects. With regards to dependence, some experts rank nicotine ahead of alcohol, cocaine, and heroin. A teenager who smokes as few as 4 cigarettes might develop a lifelong addiction to nicotine. Small rapid doses of nicotine produce alertness and arousal, as opposed to long drawn-out doses, which induce relaxation and sedation. Nicotine has a pronounced effect on the major stress hormones. Nicotine stimulates hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and it increases levels of endorphins, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and arginine vasopressin in a dose-related manner. Corticosteroids also are released in proportion to plasma nicotine concentration. Nicotine alters the bioavailability of dopamine and serotonin and causes a sharp increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Nicotine acts on brain reward mechanisms, indirectly through endogenous opioid activity and directly through dopamine pathways. The association between depression and smoking is well established. A lifetime history of major depression is more than twice as common in people who smoke compared to people who do not smoke. A history of major depressive disorder is associated with a decreased ability to quit smoking and an increased likelihood of smoking relapse. Increased relapse rates of major depression after smoking cessation also have been described. In subjects with a history of major depression, smoking may be an attempt to decrease negative affect, and following a quit attempt, they are likely to experience greater symptoms of nicotine withdrawal compared to smokers without a history of depression. Therefore, in patients who are attempting to quit smoking, inquiring about present or past symptoms of depression and anxiety is advisable, and specific therapy may be indicated. Frequency: In the US: In 1965, 52% of men and 34% of women were cigarette smokers. Presently, the incidence of cigarette smoking has decreased to 28% and 24%, respectively. The incidence of smoking is highest in blacks, blue-collar workers, less-educated persons, and persons in the lower socioeconomic strata. The trend is decreasing in more educated persons. Forty percent of men with less than 12 years of education, 35.9% of high school graduates, and 17.4% of college graduates smoke. Of women, 30.7% with less than 12 years of education, 29.6% of high school graduates, and 15.1% of college graduates smoke. Economic status also is related to smoking behavior. Of men with an income of $10,000-20,000 per year, 36.3% smoke, as opposed to 23.2% of men who make $50,000 or more per year. Of women who had a family income of $20,000 or less per year, 29.8% smoke, as opposed to 19.5% who make $50,000 or more per year. In 1983, a comparison was made between white-collar workers, of whom 27.9% smoked, and blue-collar workers, of whom 42.7% smoked. Twenty-five percent of pregnant women who smoke quit during pregnancy; yet 80% resume smoking after childbirth. Recent surveys show that 20% of teenage girls smoke, and 15% of teenage boys smoke. Internationally: Worldwide, approximately 1.1 billion people smoke. In China, more than 70% of men older than 25 years smoke. Smoking is more prevalent in developing countries and is continuing to increase. Prevalence of smoking in North America is decreasing. Mortality/Morbidity: The health consequences of this addiction are enormous. Tobacco smoking is responsible for 1 of every 5 deaths and is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Children smoke 1.1 billion packs of cigarettes yearly. This accounts for more than $200 billion in future health care costs. Tobacco accounts for more than 85% of all deaths due to lung cancer. Approximately 10 million people in the United States have died from causes attributed to smoking since the Surgeon General’s first report in 1964; 2 million of these were from lung cancer alone. Furthermore, tobacco also has been identified as the leading cause of emphysema, COPD, bronchitis, and heart disease. Laryngeal cancer is uncommon; however, in 1988, it accounted for 1.1% of cancer-related deaths in men and 0.3% of cancer-related deaths in women. Oral cancer accounted for approximately 2.1% of male cancer-related deaths and 1.2% of female cancer-related deaths in 1988. Cigarette smoking and tobacco chewing are major causes of this disease. Esophageal cancer accounted for 2.6% of male cancer-related deaths and 1% of female cancer-related deaths. Approximately 50% of overall esophageal cancer mortality is due to cigarette smoking. Bladder cancer accounted for 2.4% of male cancer-related deaths and 1.3% of female cancer-related deaths in 1988; approximately one third of these deaths were related to cigarette smoking. Pancreatic cancer accounted for approximately 5% of cancer-related deaths in 1990; one third of these deaths were associated with cigarette smoking. Kidney cancer accounted for 2.3% of male cancer-related deaths and 1.8% of female cancer-related deaths. Smoking has been established as an independent risk factor for uterine cervical cancer. Anal cancer in both heterosexual men and women also was due largely to cigarette smoking. Interactions between viral factors and tobacco exposure increase cancer risk. Nonsmokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke have a significantly higher risk of developing cancers and pulmonary diseases. Concentrations of toxins and carcinogens are higher in sidestream smoke. Children exposed to secondhand smoke develop a variety of respiratory disorders and morbidity. Race: The smoking rate in the United States is higher among blacks than whites and is steadily increasing in Hispanics. In 1987, 39% of the black male population were smokers, compared to 30.5% of white men; 28% of black women were smokers, as opposed to 26.7% of white women. In addition, 30% of Hispanic men and 18% of Hispanic women were smokers. Sex: In the United States, approximately 28% of men and 24% of women smoke. Age: Studies reveal that the average age of first-time smokers is 14.5 years and the average age of daily smokers is 17.7 years. Approximately 20% of high school seniors smoke. History: Nicotine addiction is classified as nicotine use disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth edition (DSM-IV). The criteria for this diagnosis include any 3 of the following within a 1-year time span: Tolerance to nicotine with decreased effect and increasing dose to obtain same effect Withdrawal symptoms after cessation Smoking more than usual Persistent desire to smoke despite efforts to decrease intake Extensive time spent smoking or purchasing tobacco Postponing work, social, or recreational events in order to smoke Continuing to smoke despite health hazards Nicotine withdrawal is classified as a nicotine-induced disorder according to the DSM-IV. Symptoms include difficulty concentrating, nervousness, headaches, weight gain due to increased appetite, decreased heart rate, insomnia, irritability, and depression. These symptoms peak in the first few days but eventually disappear within a month. Symptoms of nicotine toxicity, otherwise known as acute nicotine poisoning, include nausea, vomiting, salivation, pallor, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and cold sweat. A previous history of depression, use of antidepressants in the past, and onset of depression during previous quit attempts should be obtained. Physical: Physical effects of nicotine use include increased heart rate, accelerated blood pressure, and weight loss. Physical effects of nicotine withdrawal and smoking cessation include weight gain due to increase in appetite, decreased heart rate, and improvement in the senses of … read more »
