Drug Abuse - Nicotine - Luci Banaszak by Lucia Banaszak

Ingredients

luciagbanaszak18 — 2024-02-19 17:31:46 UTC

Nicotine belongs to a family of compounds called alkaloids and occurs naturally in several varieties of plants including tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes - but is found at its highest levels in the tobacco plant. We don't add nicotine to our conventional cigarettes and the nicotine in our vapour products is extracted from tobacco leaf.

Uses and Effects

luciagbanaszak18 — 2024-02-19 17:36:27 UTC

Nicotine is a stimulant drug that speeds up the messages travelling between the brain and body. Products such as cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, and wet and dry snuff and the dried leaves from the tobacco plant all contain nicotine. Electronic cigarettes do not contain dried tobacco leaves, but they still contain nicotine. Nicotine affects everyone differently, based on size, weight, health, the amount taken, the strength of the tobacco, etc. For people who smoke tobacco products regularly, they will build up a tolerance to the immediate short-term effects of smoking tobacco, and may experience the following effects after smoking: mild stimulation, increase in heart rate, relaxation, coughing, increased ability to concentrate, etc. If a large amount of nicotine is taken the following effects may also be experienced. This includes confusion, feeling faint, seizures, fast breathing, and respiratory arrest.

Popularity of Nicotine

luciagbanaszak18 — 2024-02-19 18:46:53 UTC

Based on this graph, we can see the growing popularity of the use of nicotine. In 2020, the revenue of nicotine in the US alone was $439.7 million and grew to $598.2 million in 2021. This graph also predicts the growing income of nicotine sales in continuing years (2022-2030) which shows that it's predicted to climb rapidly.

Addiction

luciagbanaszak18 — 2024-02-19 18:52:54 UTC

Based off this graph, we can see out of all the addictive drugs listed, tobacco (nicotine) is the most addictive among society. Out of the general population who had ever used this drug, 76% of people got hooked on nicotine. Also, 24% of the general population who ever became addicted got hooked to this drug as well. This graph shows the significance and addictive nature of this drug compared to the other drugs of its kind. Almost 3/4 of the people who use this drug are most likely going to get hooked and become reliant on it.

Use of Nicotine in Michigan

luciagbanaszak18 — 2024-02-19 19:01:46 UTC

As this article discusses, among schools in Michigan, particularly in middle and high schools, vaping has become a major obsession and addiction problem. It gained its popularity around 2018 and 2019 and has remained popular ever since. As the article states, exposure to nicotine in adolescence can affect brain development and prime it for future substance use. While vaping is beneficial for adults attempting to quit cigarette smoking, exposing the young, maturing brain to nicotine can cause lasting, physical addiction. Despite this, teenagers and young adults around the world continue to rely on nicotine as it becomes an epidemic.

Treatments Options

luciagbanaszak18 — 2024-02-19 19:09:05 UTC

Although at times it may seem hopelessly addicting, there are some treatments and way to cope with nicotine addiction. Some of these treatments include, one, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This type of talk therapy can help you recognize the thoughts, situations, and people that trigger your tobacco use. You'll work with a therapist to build strategies that will improve your odds of stopping. Next, there is motivational interviewing. A counselor will help you figure out what's stopping you from quitting and what will inspire you to make healthy changes. They'll also point out gaps between your goals and current behavior. To add, there is also several support hotlines available. Every state offers free telephone help lines with trained counselors who can help you navigate smoking-related stress. You can call once or repeatedly, and your conversation is confidential. The number is 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669). Finally, web, text, or social media-based interventions can be extremely helpful. You can harness your cell phone, tablet, or social media accounts to help yourself quit. These technologies break down geographical barriers, and they're also low-or no-cost.

Nicotine Addiction Around the World

luciagbanaszak18 — 2024-02-19 19:18:40 UTC

The World Health Organization has begun to urge governments around the world to ban the use of E-cigarettes or any substances containing high levels of nicotine. Although, this may propose a problem for companies producing tobacco and nicotine enriched products, societies health is declining around the world. For example, vapes were banned in 34 countries as of July 2023, according to the WHO, including Brazil, India, Iran and Thailand. But many countries struggle to enforce these kinds of laws or regulations because these products are often available on the black market. On the other hand, 74 countries, mostly in Africa but also including Pakistan, Colombia, and Mongolia do not regulation e-cigarettes at all as of July. In other nations, including key markets like the US and China, governments allow vapes but regulate their use.

Final Thoughts

luciagbanaszak18 — 2024-02-19 19:32:57 UTC

Citations

luciagbanaszak18 — 2024-02-19 19:45:13 UTC

Ackama, Ackama. “Nicotine.” Nicotine - Alcohol and Drug Foundation, 2024, adf.org.au/drug-facts/nicotine/.

Brodwin, Erin. “The Most ‘addictive’ Drugs Probably Aren’t the Ones You Think.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 2024, www.businessinsider.com/most-addictive-substances-2016-5.

“Nicotine Vaping Now One of the Top Forms of Substance Use among Teens.” University of Michigan News, 10 May 2023, news.umich.edu/nicotine-vaping-now-one-of-the-top-forms-of-substance-use-among-teens/.