24 hours rehab

Call Now for Immediate Confidential Help and Advice 02038 115 619

24 hours rehab
Immediate Access for help and advice
  Menu
24 hours rehab

Call Now for Immediate Confidential Help and Advice 02038 115 619

24 hours rehab
Immediate Access for help and advice

Smoking Addiction Explained

Tobacco is one of the most abused substances in the world. It’s estimated that smoking cigarettes kills more than 8 million people annually. People continue to smoke despite knowing how dangerous tobacco is because it’s a highly addictive substance.

People who start smoking at an early age are more likely to develop a smoking addiction. Surveyed teenage smokers reported that many of them want to quit or have thought about quitting but simply can’t.

Second-hand smoke contains both the smoke burning off the cigarette and the smoke exhaled by the smoker. For people living with smokers, the risks of health consequences are high.

Get Confidential Help Now

Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.

What Makes Smoking Addictive?

Cigarettes contain a chemical called nicotine, which is incredibly addictive. Nicotine changes the balance of two chemicals in the brain called noradrenaline and dopamine. As a person smokes, these chemical changes often elevate an individual’s mood and concentration levels.

The effect of smoking is almost immediate. As soon as someone inhales nicotine, the brain is flooded with the chemical, and the person experiences feelings of pleasure, reduced stress and reduced anxiety. In contrast, when a smoker goes too long without having nicotine, they begin to feel anxious and irritable. The brain becomes addicted to nicotine, which makes it difficult to quit.

UK Rehab

Signs and Symptoms of Smoking Addiction

Addiction manifests itself differently in every person. However, there are some common signs and symptoms of smoking addiction. Someone who is addicted to smoking cannot go for very long periods without starting to think about and crave a cigarette. Addicted individuals will experience withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to quit. Examples of withdrawal symptoms include shaky hands, a rapid heart rate, sweating and irritability.

Additionally, addicted individuals will also continue to smoke even if they have serious health problems. They also may avoid social events where they must forgo smoking for an extended time.

Health Consequences from Smoking

UK Rehab
Smoking leads to overall diminished health, and cigarette smoke impacts almost every organ in the body. Regular smoking has been attributed to increasing the risks of cardiovascular diseases. Smoking can cause strokes and coronary heart disease.

Most notably, as smokers are inhaling a toxic chemical, they are at a greater risk of developing a respiratory disease. Smokers can develop lung diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, as well as lung cancer.

Smoking has been tied to increasing the risks of several cancers, such as bladder, blood, cervix, colorectal, oesophagus, kidney, larynx, liver, oropharynx, pancreas, stomach and trachea. A person who has been diagnosed with cancer and continues to smoke is more likely to perish.

Smoking can make it more difficult for women to get pregnant and can affect men’s sperm counts. And, smoking increases the risk of preterm delivery, ectopic pregnancy, low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, stillbirths and orofacial clefts in infants. Additionally, smoking causes issues with oral health, seriously impacting an individual’s gums and teeth. Smoking has also been proven to affect bone health and can even cause rheumatoid arthritis. Overall, smoking decreases an individual’s health, making them weaker to defend themselves against diseases.

Find alcohol and drug rehab clinics in your area

No matter where you live, there is a drug rehab center that can help you overcome your addiction. We'll help you find it.

Select a County
Get Confidential Help Now

Our trained addiction counsellors are
on hand 24 hours a day

     

    Rehab treatment Centres

    We’ll help you find help near you.

    If you are experiencing problems as a result of your alcohol or drug use, or if you are drinking or using drugs to cope with existing problems, our National Addiction Treatment & Rehabilitation Directory contains over 700 addiction treatment services that may be able to help you when you decide to do something about them.

    close help
    Who am I contacting?

    Calls and contact requests are answered by admissions at

    UK Addiction Treatment Group.

    We look forward to helping you take your first step.

    02038 115 619