Studies have shown nicotine to be more addictive than heroin, alcohol, or cocaine. Nicotine Tolerance develops and withdrawal symptoms of headache, agitation, irritability, diarrhea and depression can last up to 6 weeks. Every cigarette shortens your life by 14 minutes, not only from the carcinogenic tars, but also the carbon monoxide which deprives the heart of oxygen at the same time the nicotine is stimulating it to work harder. Use of alcohol and nicotine together greatly increases the risk of cancer of the mouth and throat. Pregnant users of nicotine contribute to low birth weight, fetal death, and congenital abnormalities.
Nursing mothers pass nicotine to the infant in their milk.
This is most noticeable with crack, and most cocaine forms have been shown in animal labs to be more addictive than heroin. Recovery Stages coincide with the healing of brain chemistry. Good nutrition, drastic reduction of caffeine and sugar, exercise and rest are important. Acute withdrawal lasts 3 to 7 days for cocaine, up to 2 weeks for amphetamine users, marked by depression, erratic behavior, severe cravings, sensitivity to triggers, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and excess sleep. It helps to begin identifying triggers and developing ways to prevent or interrupt triggers from becoming uncontrollable cravings.