Addiction occurs when someone has great difficulty to stop smoking, even if he or she is confined that is causes predominantly adverse effects: the desire for nicotine prevails. Addiction is obviously a motivational problem. Additionally, the use of cigarettes cause physical changes, especially in the brains, which creates dependence. Withdrawal symptoms occur when nicotine is not provided. Finally, smoking becomes a habit, and habits are not easy to forget. With smoking addiction, all these factors play a role.
The addictive substance in cigarettes is nicotine. Nicotine has, among other things, an effect on the brains, the neuro-endocrine system and the heart-vascular system. It is also responsible for adrenergic stimulation, resulting in a higher heart rate and higher blood pressure. Furthermore, nicotine has a significant effect on the brains. It stimulates specific acetylcholine receptors. Besides this, nicotine leads to dopamine release in the brain, resulting in a feeling of comfort. A decrease in dopamine-expression in return leads to carvings. Dopamine release probably plays a role in the addictiveness of nicotine, and also in the addiction to many other substances.
