Tobacco dependence, also called nicotine dependence, is an addiction to tobacco products caused by the drug nicotine. Tobacco dependence means you can’t stop using the substance, even though it’s causing you harm.
Nicotine produces physical and mood-altering effects in your brain that are temporarily pleasing. These effects make you want to use tobacco and lead to dependence. At the same time, stopping tobacco use causes withdrawal symptoms, including irritability and anxiety.
While it’s the nicotine in tobacco that causes tobacco dependence, the toxic effects of tobacco result from other substances in tobacco. Smokers have much higher rates of heart disease, stroke and cancer than nonsmokers do.
For some people, using any amount of tobacco can quickly lead to tobacco dependence. Nicotine dependence results in daily, heavy usage of cigarettes and produces withdrawal symptoms such as urges to smoke, negative moods, and difficulty concentrating, when the person stops smoking. These withdrawal symptoms are so unpleasant that smokers very frequently return to smoking.
Clinical Information Related to Tobacco Dependence and Medical Marijuana
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