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Smoking puts
dangerous chemicals into your body (Every single cigarette has
over 4,000 chemicals - including 200 known poisons) that can
affect your growing process in a bad way.
Cigarettes contain nicotine, a powerfully addictive substance
that provides an almost immediate “kick” because it causes a
discharge of epinephrine from the adrenal cortex. This
stimulates the central nervous system and other endocrine
glands, which causes a sudden release of glucose. Stimulation is
then followed by depression and fatigue, leading the abuser to
seek more nicotine.
Nicotine is absorbed readily from tobacco smoke in the lungs,
and it does not matter whether the tobacco smoke is from
cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Nicotine also is absorbed readily
when tobacco is chewed. With regular use of tobacco, levels of
nicotine accumulate in the body during the day and persist
overnight. Thus, daily smokers or chewers are exposed to the
effects of nicotine for 24 hours each day.
Pregnant women who smoke cigarettes run an increased risk of
having stillborn or premature infants or infants with low
birth-weight. Children of women who smoked while pregnant have
an increased risk for developing conduct disorders.
Treatments: Studies have shown that pharmacological
treatment combined with behavioral treatment, including
psychological support and skills training to overcome high-risk
situations, results in some of the highest long-term abstinence
rates. Generally, rates of relapse for smoking cessation are
highest in the first few weeks and months and diminish
considerably after about 3 months.
Nicotine chewing gum, both nicotine gum and the nicotine patch,
as well as other nicotine replacements such as sprays and
inhalers, are used to help people fully quit smoking by reducing
withdrawal symptoms and preventing relapse while undergoing
behavioral treatment.
Research: Research has shown that changes in the brain’s
pleasure circuits during withdrawal from chronic nicotine use.
These changes are comparable in magnitude and duration to
similar changes observed during withdrawal from other abused
drugs such as cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and alcohol.
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