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August 29, 2002

Nicotine - an insidious addiction

When you study tobacco addiction, you find astonishing features. Animal studies suggest nicotine is more addicting than heroin. When you talk to patients, and really try to understand the effects of that addiction, you should feel empathy, as withdrawal is like leaving your best friend.

Cigs Ensnare Some Teens Quickly. This story reports on evidence that not only is nicotine withdrawal difficult, for some teenagers addiction comes easy. Everything about this addiction drives me nuts. I have seen patiens smoke through tracheostomies (made after there laryngectomy for a smoking related cancer). Patients often smoke while on home oxygen. Patients argue with me about going outside in the winter to smoke - even after a myocardial infarction or during an exacerbation of their chronic lung disease. AAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!

 Posted by on August 29, 2002 05:24 AM | TrackBack




Comments:

No comment on it as an addiction, except to agree.

I do wonder, though, if another approach to keeping young people from starting might bear some fruit. I am thinking of humor rather than horror, as in a Bob Newhart routine. He portayed the English King on the phone with Sir Raleigh, wondering what was to be done with all those dried leaves Wally had shipped. After a bit of funny to-and-fro, the King has understood he is to stick a rolled-up leaf in his mouth, and wants to know what's next, chew? "OK, I've got this thing sticking out of my mouth and I'm not supposed to chew, so... What?... I'm sorry, I could swear you said to... Set fire to it? Wally, just how long have you been away?"

I realise that would set me up for being laughed at, which I wouldn't like, but if it could help...

Posted by: John Anderson on August 29, 2002 10:25 AM

Great joke - you never know what would work. Knowledge may not be the key for adolescents. Having had 2 at home, I'm not sure that anything works. (grin)

 Posted by: db on August 29, 2002 10:50 AM


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