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This fact plays into the next section of this chapter: feeling rewarded for abusing nicotine. Remember: all addictions start as the body rewarding itself for using a certain substance. As a result, any type of behavior or situation that rewards a person for abusing nicotine will only increase the abuse potential. Understanding that fact can help to minimize its impact on a person. How Tobacco Feeds Reward Centers to Worsen Addiction Studies into various types of addiction have expanded our understanding of these abusive behaviors and have helped to reinforce many critical lessons. “The measure of a drug’s

Because the brain becomes dependent on nicotine, a person who tries to stop using the drug will experience unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal. Physical symptoms like headaches, cramps, and difficulty sleeping can persist for three to five days. Mental symptoms of withdrawal, such as depression, irritability, and a strong desire to use nicotine, can last for weeks. Withdrawal makes it very hard for users to quit smoking or vaping.

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Facts and Figures: Smoking and Vaping