9781422272282

or otherwise interact in ways based on their abuse of nicotine. This behavior is not unusual—for many with an addiction, there is a social element that makes this abuse more attractive. For example, many people who work in offices time their smoke breaks with others so that they can talk and interact together. Often, these people don’t have much in common besides their shared addiction to nicotine. However, they form a small group with each other during these breaks, groups that are often hard to leave if a person tries to quit smoking or vaping on their own. The same influence is noticeable in those who only smoke when drinking alcohol. As they may drink only when socializing, they start smoking as a way of interacting with others and connecting in ways that otherwise might not be possible. That socialization instinct is common to all people, as individuals want to create groups and fit in with each other, no matter how they achieve that goal. Fast Facts: Nicotine • Nicotine is both a sedative and a stimulant. • Chewing or snorting tobacco products usually releases more nicotine into the body than smoking. • Nicotine is at least as difficult to give up as heroin. • The side effects of nicotine can affect the heart, hormones, and gastrointestinal system. • Some studies suggest that nicotine may temporarily improve memory and concentration. • There are more than one billion tobacco smokers worldwide.

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The Addictive Effects of Nicotine