One of the strongest indicators that nicotine from smoking is addictive is the difference between people's
desire to quit and quitting success rates. Surveys have shown that the majority of smokers — around 70
percent — want to stop smoking, yet the successful quit rate remains very low.
Cigarettes are a very efficient drug-delivery system. Each puff on a cigarette sends nicotine to the brain
within 10 seconds. Immediately, we feel more alert and calm. Sometimes
euphoric. It feels good, so we have another puff. And another. Soon the brain's chemical structure
actually changes. It becomes hooked into wanting more and more nicotine to make the effects last.
Just think: if a typical pack-a-day smoker takes 10 "hits" off each cigarette, that's
200 "hits" of nicotine to the brain each day. No wonder smoking is so addictive.
Therapeutic Nicotine like Commit® Lozenge, on the other hand, delivers controlled amounts of nicotine at a slower, less intense pace. It relieves cravings while allowing you to gradually wean yourself from nicotine addiction.
As nicotine addiction sets in, the brain connects our daily routines with cravings to make sure we get a steady
flow of nicotine — boosting the role of cigarettes in our life. Without thinking, our normal everyday activities
trigger the urge to smoke. Drinking coffee in the morning. Talking on the
phone. Work breaks. Driving. During these times, cravings for a smoke are really the brain looking for a nicotine fix.
See Commit & Committed Quitters.
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