Psychiatria pre prax 5/2003
The problems of nicotine addiction
Smoking of tobacco products is a chronic relapsing condition that harms men´s health but that one can prevent. Smoking has been implicated as a cause of lung cancer, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease. Nicotine is a highly addictive compound found in cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and other tobacco products. Dependence on nicotine develops quickly. One of the major reasons for relapse to smoking is nicotine craving and symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. The neurobiological mechanism which is responsible for the development of nicotine addiction are the dopaminergic reward system and the norepiheprine pathaway.
Keywords: nicotine addiction, dopamin reward system, norepinephrine pathway.
