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Smoking
NICOTINE EFFECTS AND THE BODY
Nicotine is a psychoactive drug that affects the brain, the skeletal muscles,
the cardiovascular system, and other systems throughout the body. Psychoactive
is defined as having the ability to alter mood, anxiety, behaviour, cognitive
processes, or mental tension.
Substantial pharmacological properties of nicotine lead it to be addictive
in the majority of its users. In this era of heightened awareness, everyone
is knowledgeable of the ill results of smoking. Denial of becoming a victim
of addiction, keeps many returning to a habit they so desperately need to
stop. The reason so many have such a hard time quitting is that nicotine causes
the brain to give the smoker pleasure, by releasing chemicals (dopamine) in
the brain. In low doses, nicotine stimulation
increases the heart rate and blood pressure also rises. In larger doses, the
opposite occurs, heart rate decreases and blood pressure drops. Every organ
of the body is affected adversely. Since the lungs of smokers are less capable
of performing the task of transporting oxygen to the body, the self works
at a lower capacity even though the drug lets the user think otherwise.
According to the Surgeon General's Report and other authorities of addiction, nicotine follows the rules that put it in the family of dangerous substances that change the body and mind to work in says that are not intended by nature. To be ranked as a drug of dependence it must :
1. Be highly controlled or compulsive use (even despite a desire, or repeated attempts, to quit);
2. Have psychoactive (mood altering) effects produced by the action of the drug substance on the brain;
3. and, drug-motivated behaviour caused by "reinforcing" effects of the psychoactive substance.
DEPENDENCE SYNDROME
- If injecting, smoking, swallowing, inhaling, absorbing or ingesting substances
produce three or more of the following symptoms, the substance is considered
to create a dependency for the user.
- A strong desire or sense of compulsion to take the substance; An impaired
capacity to control substance-taking behaviour in terms of its onset, termination,
or levels of use; substance use with the intention of relieving withdrawal
symptoms and with the awareness that this strategy is effective.
- A physiological withdrawal state.
- Evidence of tolerance such that the increased doses of the substance are
required in order to achieve effects originally produced by lower doses.
- Progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests in favour of
the substance.
- Persisting with substance use despite clear evidence of overly harmful consequences.
Smoking has been a socially accepted activity for many years. At the beginning of the tobacco era it was considered posh . The men who smoked were designated rich and affluent. Women who smoked were labelled rebels and defiant. The working class did not partake in this luxury because of the expense of tobacco.
Governments took over the shipping of tobacco and they could see there was profit to be made. Eventually there was a desire to make better profits. Therefore the market had to increase and the common people were brought into the picture. At this time there was no way of predicting the end result of this move. The working class were delighted to be included. They had now entered the world of the elite. They gave no thought to the effects that it would have on them in the future. When they got sick and the bodies were rebelling against the intake of tobacco, they blamed it on other illnesses such as cancer, viruses and germs.
Workers who handle tobacco must receive a special injection to prevent poisoning. Governments allow more additives to the produce which enhances its ability to keep the smoker smoking. In some cases, heroine and cocaine are the ingredients which are mixed.
In our modern age, we are very well educated about the addictive properties of the most popular of abused drugs. The reasons for starting to smoke have changed very little in all this time. To smoke is still seen by the smoker as cool, mature and a way to fit in. It is only with the desire or need to quit do we begin to admit to ourselves how much of a hold this addiction has on our life.
Denial of being addicted to cigarettes, cigars or chewing tobacco is very high among smokers. Everyone can quit if they wanted to, so they proclaim! It is not until they get serious that they find out the true hold that nicotine has on their bodies. It is known to be the hardest addiction to conquer, even more so than heroine.
The pain and dis-ease of quitting often keeps the smoker hooked. Nicotine withdrawal can be halted by inhaling more nicotine. This is what the body wants and makes us believe that is what we need.
Smoking is now becoming an unexceptable behaviour, known to bring ill health to even non-smokers. Public events and establishments are becoming smoke-free areas. Medical facilities are considering non-smokers to be better candidates for minor and major surgery, they are least likely to encounter difficulties.
Understanding the hold that nicotine has on your life and having the support to help you get past the withdrawals will made it easier to join the ever increasing ranks of non-smokers.If you need assistance, seek further information on EFT and ERT.
Emotional Freedom Techniques and Emotional Release Therapy can be beneficial in helping to overcome addictions. Nutrition also plays a part in your recovery.
For a free 15 minute consultation contact:
Kallie P. Miller, R.N., EFT-CC, 1-519-471-6234. London, Canada.
Both of these techniques may be facilitated over the telephone.
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