Tobacco Addiction Treatment

Yellowstone Recovery takes tobacco addiction just as seriously as any other dependency. If you or a loved one are struggling to quit tobacco, the information on this page may help demystify one of the world’s most common addictions.

What Is Tobacco?

Tobacco is a substance made from the dried leaves of the tobacco plant. It is well-known as the main ingredient in cigarettes and cigars and is also sold in forms like chewing tobacco, snuff, and loose pipe tobacco. Although it poses a number of health risks, tobacco is legal in the United States.

Is Tobacco Addictive?

It’s still uncertain whether tobacco in its natural plant form has addictive properties, but we do know that it can become addictive when it is smoked or ingested in forms like chewing tobacco. The primary addictive chemical in tobacco is the stimulant nicotine, which research suggests may be just as addictive as opioid drugs like heroin.¹

How Tobacco Addiction Forms

The nicotine in tobacco activates the reward center of the brain, creating a short boost in mood. With regular use, nicotine can increase the body’s production of dopamine, effectively reinforcing the addiction in a cycle of compulsion and reward.²

Tobacco Effects and Withdrawal Symptoms

Smoking, chewing, or inhaling tobacco can have a variety of short- and long-term effects:³

• Damage to gums (chewing tobacco)
• Bad breath
• Respiratory damage (smoking)
• Tooth sensitivity (chewing tobacco)
• Throat, lung, or oral cancer
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease

If an addicted individual stops using tobacco, uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms like the following begin to occur:

• Irritability
• Anxiety, depression
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Nagging cravings
• Insomnia

Symptoms of an Addiction to Tobacco

Tobacco addiction can easily be spotted, as its legal status means that people don’t need to hide their tobacco use. If a person constantly goes out for “smoke breaks,” smells strongly of cigarettes, or chews throughout the day, that person has an addiction to tobacco.

Getting Help for Tobacco Addiction

We’ve all heard that it’s hard to quit smoking, and many of us have experienced the struggle firsthand. The addictive nature of nicotine and the legal status of tobacco products makes it easy to obtain but incredibly difficult to stop. The good news is that many tobacco users will willingly admit that they have an addiction, which is the first step toward recovery.

While going “cold turkey” is a popular approach to quitting tobacco, it’s also rarely effective. One of the best ways to ensure success is to enter a professional tobacco addiction treatment program. In a treatment facility, staff can mitigate withdrawal symptoms during tobacco drug detox for the most comfortable experience possible.

Find Hope at Yellowstone Recovery

Tired of struggling to quit smoking or chewing tobacco? Let the recovery experts at Yellowstone Recovery help. With help from our tobacco drug addiction rehab program, you can break free from dependency and avoid serious tobacco-related health issues down the road. Call us today at (888) 418-4188.

Sources

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco#Harmful_effects_of_tobacco_and_smoking
2. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/tobacco-nicotine-e-cigarettes/nicotine-addictive
3. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cigarettes-other-tobacco-products