What Is Nicotine Addiction?
Nicotine addiction is one of the most widespread and deadly substance use disorders in the world, affecting an estimated 30 million Americans who smoke cigarettes and millions more who use e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, cigars, or other nicotine delivery systems. Nicotine is among the most addictive substances known, rivaling heroin and cocaine in its capacity to create rapid, tenacious physical and psychological dependence. It acts on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain, triggering dopamine release in the reward pathway and creating a powerful reinforcement loop that is strengthened by hundreds of use episodes each day. The health consequences of tobacco use are staggering, accounting for nearly half a million deaths annually in the United States alone. Despite this, nicotine addiction is often overlooked in substance abuse treatment settings. At Trust SoCal, we recognize that nicotine dependence is a legitimate and serious addiction that deserves evidence-based clinical attention, particularly for clients in recovery from other substances who may benefit from addressing all addictive behaviors concurrently.
