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Tobacco Use Disorder

Tobacco use disorder is a misuse of tobacco substances. Cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product, representing over 90% of tobacco/ nicotine use. Nicotine is found in cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff. Besides causing dependency, nicotine has many negative physical effects and a variety of withdrawal symptoms. Tobacco use is a pervasive public health problem and the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the United States.
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Tobacco Use Disorder Defined

Tobacco use disorder is when an individual is dependent upon nicotine, which is found in tobacco. A psychoactive drug (affects the mind), nicotine is a highly addictive, central nervous system stimulant. The addictive nature of nicotine includes drug-reinforced behavior, obsessive use, recurrent use after abstaining from it, and physical dependence and tolerance. tobacco use disorder is common among individuals who use cigarettes and smokeless tobacco daily and is uncommon among individuals who do not use tobacco daily or who use nicotine medications. Tobacco use disorder, with severity specified as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the number of diagnostic criteria that have been met. While it can range from mild to severe, quitting tobacco is possible.

Tobacco Use Disorder Causes

There can be several causes of tobacco use disorder. Various factors like genetic, psychological, social, and environmental factors can all impact how taking tobacco affects your body and behavior. For certain people taking opioids has a different and stronger impact that can lead to tobacco use disorder that it may not have on others. The onset, continuation, and development of tobacco use can be about 50% contributed to genetic factors. This risk can also be attributed to developing any substance abuse disorder. Individuals with externalizing personality traits are more likely to initiate tobacco use. Individuals with low incomes and low educational levels are more likely to initiate tobacco use and are less likely to stop.

Tobacco Use Disorder Symptoms

  • Tobacco is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.
  • There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control tobacco use.
  • A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain tobacco or use tobacco.
  • Craving, or a strong desire or urge to use tobacco.
  • Recurrent stimulant use, failing to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.
  • Continued tobacco use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of tobacco (e.g. arguments with others about tobacco use).
  • Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of tobacco use.
  • Recurrent tobacco use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g. smoking in bed).
  • Continued tobacco use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by tobacco.
  • Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
  • A needs markedly increased amounts of tobacco to achieve the desired effect.
  • A markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of tobacco.
  • Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
  • The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for tobacco.
  • Tobacco (or a closely related substance, such as nicotine) is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Tobacco use disorder can include periods of tobacco withdrawal.

Tobacco Withdrawal:

  • Irritability, frustration, or anger.
  • Anxiety.
  • Difficulty concentrating.
  • Increased appetite.
  • Depressed mood.
  • Insomnia.

How to Approach a Loved One About Tobacco Use Disorder

There is no perfect way to approach a loved one that you assume or know is struggling with tobacco use disorder. Many people with tobacco use disorder hesitate to get treatment because they don’t consider their tobacco use a problem, so approaching them to tell them that they do have a problem can be difficult. If you’re concerned about someone who may have a tobacco use disorder, ask a professional experienced in drug addiction treatment for advice on how to approach that person. You can not force someone to seek professional care, but you can always offer your support and encouragement. Even though you may not be able to prevent your loved one from developing a tobacco use disorder, you can still talk with them about the health-damaging effects of using tobacco and alternatives to using tobacco.

Types of Tobacco Use Disorder Treatment

There are effective treatments for tobacco use disorder. It is rare to treat a tobacco use disorder on the first try, especially without help. Medication and counseling combined have been proven to be effective treatments.

Medications
Some medications can assist in the treatment of tobacco use disorder. Many treatments, including nicotine replacement therapy and non-nicotine medications, are proven to work as well as using more than one medication. It is important to speak to your healthcare provider about the right treatment for you. Talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter nicotine replacement products if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, smoking fewer than 10 cigarettes a day, or you’re under age 18.

The following nicotine replacement products are available through prescription:

  • Nicotine inhaler (Nicotrol)
  • Nicotine nasal spray (Nicotrol NS)

The following are medication nicotine-free products that are available through prescription:

  • Varenicline (Chantix)
  • Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
  • Bupropion (Zyban)

 

Support Groups & Counseling
Combining medications with behavioral counseling provides the best chance for establishing long-term smoking abstinence.

Medications reduce withdrawal symptoms including tobacco craving and behavioral treatments help the development of skills needed to avoid tobacco over the long run.

Individual counseling helps you learn techniques for preparing to stop smoking and provides support during the process. There are specific treatment programs that offer tobacco treatment specialists in hospitals, healthcare plans, and other healthcare providers. There is telephone counseling available as well. Every state in the U.S. has a telephone Quitline, and some have more than one. To find the options in your state, call 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669). Finally, Internet-based programs are also available. Several websites offer support and strategies for people who want to stop smoking like BecomeAnEX.

Support and Coping
Lifestyle changes are also crucial in remaining tobacco-free. Doing things that don’t trigger you to engage in tobacco use as well as avoiding drinking alcohol situations are considered high-risk situations. Ensuring that your family and friends are aware that you are no longer engaging in tobacco use and developing a support system of friends and family who can support your cessation of tobacco use is key. If you have people in your life that use tobacco, it may impact your course of treatment. Finally, continuing to engage in other healthy habits is necessary for treatment. This can healthily include managing stress, setting smoke-free boundaries, rewarding yourself, staying motivated, and remembering relapse is common. If you relapse, do not be harsh on yourself. Learn from your experience and take the steps to try again.

Overcoming Tobacco Use Disorder

At Clarity Clinic, we are dedicated to guiding you toward a life free from the grip of Tobacco Use Disorder. Our compassionate and experienced team is here to provide you with the support you need on your path to recovery. Don't let Tobacco Use Disorder control your life any longer – take the crucial step toward change by contacting us for a confidential consultation. Your journey to a healthier, smoke-free life begins here.

Tobacco Use Disorder Providers

Deana
Deana Perez, LCPC
Therapy
Nikhil
Nikhil Verma, LPC
Therapy
Ian
Ian Dowdy, LPC
Therapy
Stefan
Stefan Dabizljevic, LSW
Therapy
Mackenzie
Mackenzie Liotta, MA
Therapy Clinical Intern
Stephanie
Stephanie Michalski, LSW
Therapy
Kortney
Kortney Genske, MA
Therapy
Hana
Hana Khan, LSW
Therapy
Natalie
Natalie Eden, LCPC
Therapy
Michael
Michael White
Therapy Clinical Intern
Bryanna
Bryanna Tartt, LCSW, CADC
Therapy
Nicholas
Nicholas Oliva, PsyD
Post Doctoral Fellow
Alexandra
Alexandra Gremp, LPC, MEd, PEL
Therapy
Ross
Ross Pepper, MD
Psychiatrist
Jessica
Jessica Selk, LPC
Therapy
Reid
Reid Alley, MD
Psychiatrist
Sheena
Sheena Patel, PA-C
PA-C
Ryan
Ryan Atkins, PA-C
Psychiatry
Hannah
Hannah Wychocki, PA-C
PA-C
Lauren
Lauren Isdale, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Hope
Hope Hirsch, LPC
Therapist
Gabriella
Gabriella Lerner, PA-C
PA-C
Cyrus
Cyrus Ma, PA-C
PA-C
Zubair
Zubair Khan, PA-C
PA-C
Kumail
Kumail Hussain, MD
Young Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist
Jaimee
Jaimee Jaucian, LCPC, BC-DMT
Therapy
Emma
Emma Arsic, PA-C
PA-C
Paul
Paul Bamberger, PA-C
PA-C
Tonie
Tonie White, LCSW
Therapy
Sankrant
Sankrant Reddy, MD
Psychiatrist
Stephanie
Stephanie Osborne, PA-C
Psychiatry
Ashley
Ashley Seredynski, PA-C
PA-C
Christine
Christine Lantin, PA-C
PA-C
Sudhakar
Sudhakar Shenoy, MD
Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist
Tara
Tara Meidinger, LCPC, CADC
Therapist
Sharon
Sharon Koys, PA-C
PA-C
Sarah
Sarah Beerman, LCSW, CADC
Therapist
Sahar
Sahar Eftekhar, DO
General & Addiction Psychiatrist
Rebecca
Rebecca Gilfillan, MD
Psychiatrist
Rebecca
Rebecca Kuhn, PA-C
PA-C
Sonnie
Sonnie Cousins, MA
Therapy
Elana
Elana Horowitz, PA-C
PA-C
Pavan
Pavan Prasad, MD
Psychiatrist
Michael
Michael Colombatto, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Kiran Binal
Kiran Binal Maharaja, MD
Psychiatrist
Lizzie
Lizzie Ausland, LCPC, CADC
Therapist
Kalyan
Kalyan Rao, MD
Psychiatrist
Jonathan
Jonathan Kolakowski, MD
Psychiatrist
Judy
Judy Bitzer, LCPC
Therapist
James
James Histed, LPC
Therapist
Jessica
Jessica Masbaum, LCSW
Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Jeanette
Jeanette Marinier, PA-C
PA-C
Jamie
Jamie Schubert, PA-C
PA-C
Emily
Emily Street, PA-C
PA-C
Emily
Emily Shelton, LCPC, LMHC, CADC, CAGCS
Therapy
Savannah
Savannah Sullivan, PA-C
PA-C
Summer
Summer Slininger, PA-C
PA-C
Ravali
Ravali Poreddy, MD
Psychiatrist
Ariella
Ariella Panos, PA-C
PA-C
James
James Ham, PA-C
Psychiatry
Rayna
Rayna Gorstein, PA-C
PA-C
Daniel
Daniel Shuter, LSW
Therapist
Sierra
Sierra Purcell, PA-C
PA-C
Emily
Emily Hoag, MD
Psychiatrist
Grace
Grace Starrs, PA-C
Psychiatry
Cassie
Cassie Donahue, PA-C
Psychiatry
Gayathri
Gayathri Ganesh, PA-C
PA-C
Samuel
Samuel Eckert, PA-C
PA-C
Nayeli
Nayeli Cruz-Castillo, LCPC
Therapy
Rafael
Rafael Lopez, MD
Psychiatrist
Kaitlin
Kaitlin Digrispino, LPC, CADC
Therapy
Scott
Scott Shadrick, PA-C
PA-C
Mira
Mira Ebalo, PA-C
PA-C
Mark
Mark Bey, LPC
Therapy
Miriam
Miriam Mixon, LCSW
Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Justin
Justin Lee, PA-C
PA-C
Katherine
Katherine Cunningham, LPC, CADC
Therapy
Sam
Sam Donham, LCPC
Therapy
Carol
Carol Briggs, LPC, NCC
Therapy
Emily
Emily Brennan, PA-C
PA-C
Jenna
Jenna Jacobson, PA-C
PA-C
Dane
Dane Davlantis, LCPC
Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Caitlin
Caitlin Daughtry, PA-C
PA-C
Camryn
Camryn Schmidt, PA-C
PA-C
Abbey
Abbey DeBaene, LCSW, CADC
Therapy
Brittany
Brittany Wilson, LPC
Therapy
Alexandra
Alexandra Gregor, PA-C
PA-C
Allegria
Allegria Knouse, PA-C
PA-C
Alyssa
Alyssa Bobak, PA-C
PA-C

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