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Tobacco Addiction Treatment
Relevant information about Tobacco Addiction Treatment.
The exact origin of the word tobacco is not yet certainly defined. Some historians say it could come from a distortion of the word “Tobago” coming from a Mexican Province, the Island of Tobago. Anyway, was in the sixteenth century when Jean Nicot received the plant in Portugal and sine then, the species were called nicotine. Both Spain and Portugal initially received this tobacco plant from Yucatan peninsula en 1520. Criticism and controversy against tobacco and smoking began almost immediately after its introduction into west continent.
Adler was the first one to suggest and relate smoking with cancer. Since then (1912) its negative health effects and consequences were not only probed but also greatly increased. Now a days it is widely known that cigarette smoking is the major preventable cause of disease worldwide. The main causes of mortality are: atherosclerotic vascular disease, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. But smoking can also contribute to other diseases, in fact, health consequences of this addiction are enormous. In addition to cancer, tobacco causes: histiocytosis X, respiratory bronchiolitis, obstructive sleep apnea, idiopathic pneumothorax, low birth weight, perinatal mortality and increases the risk of emphysema, COPD, bronchitis and heart diseases, such as stroke, heart attack, vascular disease, and aneurysm. Let’s see some statistics about cigarette smoking:
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) classifies this addiction as a nicotine use disorder. This diagnosis includes incremental tolerance to nicotine with decreased effect which brings it an increasing dose to obtain same effect, continuous desire to smoke despite negative consequences and the efforts to decrease intake, and also withdrawal symptoms when the substance is absent. According to specialist, there are multiples causes for why people smoke. Tobacco addiction involves genetic, psychological and social factors. It is a highly addictive drug that has 2 very important issues: as a psychoactive drug it induces euphoria and is stimulant, on the other side it is also a depressant. Between its physical effects, there is increased heart rate, accelerated blood pressure, and weight loss. Mood and performance are also affected and it is highly related to depression.
Smoking, as many other addictions, is a chronic disease and despite it may begin as a voluntary habit, eventually it becomes a compulsive habit. In this cases it is never easy to quit consume without help, and it usually requires multiple attempts and assistance. Both behavioural therapy and medication are effective alone and can help smokers quit but they are much more effective when they are used together in a combined treatment. Two types of medications treat nicotine dependence and nicotine withdrawal: Nicotine Replacement Therapy and other medications. Nicotine replacement therapy works replacing partially the nicotine obtained from tobacco by delivering a controlled dose of nicotine to ameliorating and relieve withdrawal symptoms during the smoking cessation process. For this, there are six types of products offered: nicotine coetaneous patches, nicotine nasal delivery; chewing gum, lozenge, sublingual tablet, and vapour inhaler. The other medications increase rates of long-term abstinence from smoking. Between them: Bupropion (Zyban) Varenicline (Chantix), bupropion, nortriptyline and clonidine. Sometimes some medications can also be combined. Behavioural treatments are also important when dealing with tobacco addiction and assisting smokers to quit. A variety of methods are employed teach individuals to recognize risky situations and negative consequences. Individual are thought to develop coping strategies to deal with them. Also withdrawal symptoms are a hard issue to treat. Behavioural treatments can help smokers manage these symptoms when they are trying to quit. Symptoms include: powerful cravings for tobacco, irritability, difficulty paying attention, sleep disturbances, and increased appetite. This therapy contributes by offering advice and assistance but also they can be essential to motivate and encourage patients to attempt and sustain cessation. There are patients who are not yet ready to attempt quitting and others who simply can’t do it alone. Health professionals providing help, assistance, guidance and support immensely beneficial to individuals addicted to nicotine. Patients may also be referred to begin other therapies as acupuncture, to exercise or a diet. As patients who quit smoking tend to gain weight; they are usually encouraged to patients to follow a low-calorie diet and exercise. Activity also helps alleviate nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Quitting tobacco addiction can be very difficult. But, knowing the mortality risks this addiction involves it is important to remember also that there are immediate and substantial health benefits of smoking cessation. A good understanding of the benefits and limitations of the available medications and therapies provides a great perspective of success.
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