NICOTINE INCREASES CRAVING > Page 1, 2
The report said cigarettes are nicotine delivery products and said nicotine addiction should be recognized as a major medical and social problem. "It is time for nicotine to become a major health priority," Sir George Alberti, the president of the college, said.
The tobacco industry disputed the report's findings.
These new reports provide scientific evidence that those who try to quit drinking, but continue to smoke, face a more difficult problem than those who do not smoke, or who quit smoking and drinking simultaneously.
The two studies, said NIDA Director Dr. Alan I. Leshner, "add very strong behavioral evidence to other research that suggests common characteristics and interactions between tobacco use and opiate and cocaine use. They also suggest that smoking cessation programs should be offered as part of other drug treatment programs."
In one of the studies, researchers found that the amount of cocaine and heroin use was directly related to the level of tobacco use. "The more cigarettes smoked, the more likely the person was to use illegal drugs," said Dominick Frosch, a doctoral student at San Diego State University.
Alcohol and Quitting Smoking
Relapse and Craving
Smoking Cessation
Nicotine and Alcohol
Highly Addictive
Meanwhile, the Royal College of Physicians in Britain released a report calling nicotine "a powerful addictive substance on a par with heroin and cocaine" which should be controlled like a drug or medicine. Other Cravings
Also this week, National Institute on Drug Abuse researchers released two studies that found that craving for nicotine appears to be linked to increased craving for illicit drugs among drug abusers who also smoke tobacco.More Information
Alcohol and Tobacco
Extensive research supports the popular observation that "smokers drink and drinkers smoke." The heaviest alcohol consumers are also the heaviest consumers of tobacco.
Physically it's a hard habit to break and psychologically quitting smoking may be even tougher, even after problem drinkers stop drinking.
Similar relapse rates suggest that the relapse mechanism for many addictive disorders may share common biochemical, behavioral, or cognitive components.
If you want to quit smoking, you might want to visit Christine over at the Smoking Cessation site on About.com.
More articles concerning nicotine and its relationship with alcohol intake.
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