Smoking Flashcards
What % of middle-aged smokers die of smoking-related illness?
50%
Why do people smoke?
Initiation - social reasons
Maintenance - pharmacological reasons
Light smokers can be described as…?
Whereas heavy smokers are…?
peak seekers
trough maintainers
Over 97% of quit attempts last less than…?
6 months
What % of smokers rarely (if ever) go a day without a cigarette?
Over 95%
How many % resume smoking after a major smoking-related health crisis?
70%
Name some signs of addiction.
Continued use despite knowledge of harmful effects
Withdrawal symptoms and urges to use the drug during abstinence
Failure of attempts to stop
Addiction is a product of... Person Drug Circumstances Explain this further.
Person, e.g. mental health, personality, coping skills, individual biochemistry etc.
Drug, e.g. its reinforcing properties
Circumstances, e.g. lack of alternatives, stress, access to drug, society views, etc.
Why is nicotine addictive?
Mildly pleasant stimulation
Tolerance develops to aversive effects so frequent dosing becomes possible
Neuroadaptation develops.
Sensitisation to dopaminergic effects, increased
density of ACH receptors.
Discomfort if nicotine level is low, sensitivity to cues
Other chemicals in smoke likely to play a role, e.g. MAO inhibitors
Nicotine depletion leads to a gradual increase in …?
How do cigarettes affect this?
This develops the drive to smoke/nicotine hunger.
mild discomfort (irritability, worsening of mood, etc.) Cigarettes alleviate this immediately and so are perceived as attractive and rewarding – illusion of positive effect
Nicotine stimulates ______ receptors in what area of the brain?
This leads to…?
acetylcholine
ventral-tegmental area
dopamine release in nucleus accumbens
What are the main subjective reasons for smoking?
stress relief, boredom relief, enjoyment
What are the main objective measures of smoking benefits?
Smokers weigh less than non-smokers
Smoking may increase vigilance, but no evidence that smokers perform better
Cigarette consumption is a weak indicator of blood nicotine levels. What three things are more important?
Depth of inhalation, number of puffs, and
length of butts left
Name some other ways to measure dependence.
Time to first cigarette in the morning
Carbon monoxide in expired breath
Nicotine in body fluids
How long is nicotine’s half life?
2 hours
How does success differ quitting with and without support?
Relapse rate is similar, but starting from much higher initial quit rate
Name some subjective withdrawal symptoms.
Mood changes, e.g. irritable, depressed, restless.
Difficulty concentrating
Urges to smoke
Increased hunger
How long do the mood changes generally last in withdrawal?
Average duration < 4 weeks
How long does the difficulty concentrating generally last in withdrawal?
< 2 weeks
What is the average weight gain after quitting?
5-6kg
What are some less frequent withdrawal symptoms?
Night-time awakening
Constipation (17%, 9% severe)
Mouth ulcers (40%, 8% severe), respiratory tract
infections
Productive cough (coughing and breathlessness improve within a month)
What are the main objective signs of withdrawal?
Big drop in heart rate
Decrease adrenaline and cortisol output
Decreased tremor
Increased skin temperature
Decreased metabolism of caffeine and other drugs
How does abstinence affect... clomipramine? clozapine? amitriptyline? diazepam? olonzapine?
1, 2 increases
3 does not change
4 unclear
5 increases
How does abstinence affect... ethanol? risperidone? buproprion? lorazepam? haloperidol?
1,2,3,4 does not change
5 increases
What can predict relapse? (3)
Urges to smoke
Depression
Weight gain
Withdrawal symptoms are worse in smokers with…?
high pre-abstinence nicotine intake
What is the rationale behind nicotine replacement therapies?
Abrupt cessation of nicotine intake causes withdrawal discomfort so access to nicotine via alternative routes
provides relief and assists with transition to complete abstinence.
How much nicotine do NRT products provide?
Most current NRT products provide about 50% of the daily intake from smoking.
Nicotine in the doses of NRT is considered harmless. What are the dangers of smoking mainly due to?
combustion products and other chemicals
Is NRT safe?
Yes, particularly compared to smoking
Can NRT cause dependence?
NRT cannot cause new dependence (users are already dependent on nicotine)
Dependence on NRT is more likely with which products?
Faster absorption products