274 Unit 4 Understanding and Avoiding Hazardous Substances
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
of experiencing a heart attack or developing cancer, are seen
within a year after quitting. These benefi ts increase over
time, meaning that the longer an ex-smoker goes without
using tobacco, the lower the risk of experiencing these major
health problems.
Although quitting tobacco can be diffi cult, nicotine ad-
diction can be treated. Treatment methods include nicotine
replacement, medication, and self-management techniques.
Nicotine Replacement
Some approaches to quitting smoking, or smoking cessa-
tion, rely on nicotine replacement. In this treatment, tobacco
users continue to put nicotine into their bodies, which less-
ens their withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making it eas-
ier to quit. In this way, tobacco users can gradually treat their
addiction to nicotine by using smaller and smaller amounts.
Eventually, people fi nd they are no longer dependent on nic-
otine. The most commonly used nicotine replacement strate-
gies are nicotine gum and the nicotine patch (Figure 9.11).
Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, have also been mar-
keted as a tool for smokers who want to stop using tobacco
products (Figure 9.12). E-cigarettes are controversial, how-
ever, because the US government has not approved e-cig-
arettes as a successful and safe form of smoking cessation.
E-cigarettes can also lead to nicotine addiction if used by
adolescents and other fi rst-time smokers. Because of these
risks, the use of e-cigarettes is opposed by the Food and
Drug Administration, the American Cancer Society, and the
American Heart Association.
Medications Prescribed by a Doctor
Some medications prescribed by a doctor help smokers quit by simu-
lating dopamine, a chemical in the brain that leads people to experience the
same type of effects caused by nicotine use. People who take these medi-
cations may be better able to cope with the withdrawal effects caused by
reducing their intake of nicotine.
Self-Management Strategies
Self-management strategies often involve identifying situations that
trigger the desire for tobacco use and developing techniques to resist temp-
tation. Once tobacco users understand the situations or feelings that lead
them to want to use tobacco, they can respond with two techniques—stim-
ulus control and response substitution. Stimulus control involves trying to
avoid tempting situations and managing feelings that lead to nicotine use.
Nicotine gum and nicotine
patches help tobacco addicts
quit smoking. How helpful
do you think these products
might be to a person who is
quitting smoking?
Figure 9.11
nicotine replacement
a method of battling
addiction in which tobacco
users gradually reduce their
nicotine consumption
stimulus control
the technique of avoiding
situations that may lead to
drug use
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