Can nicotine lead to other addictions?

[Marigene6266]

I had a random thought during a long sleepless night and decided to ask for opinions. I know that there are some drugs that are considered "gateway drugs" leading to seeking stronger , more potent drugs. I don't know if research has been done regarding nicotine or what it might or might not prove. I'm not interested in research by experts, I'm curious as to what those who are not experts think. I think that nicotine can lead to other additions  especially for those who quit, we are often searching for something to replace that "high" that nicotine give us. We try to do it in a healthy manner but can  fail. I also believe that any addiction no matter what that addition is indicates that the person has the personality to become an addict. For this reason, I have long avoided taking prescription pain killers any longer than absolutely necessary after an injury or surgery. Thoughts? Opinions?

[sweetplt]

Since quitting, I am addicted to Ex’s..., knitting, walking...so yes quitting can lead to other addictions...my 2 cents...as far as smoking ... I think it leads to addiction (which comes first not sure)...but go to a casino, a lot of smokers, oh and we love a good cocktail with our smokes...

Just my thoughts...~ Colleen 

[Troutnut1]

Dopamine and serotonin are the brains reward chemicals designed to keep us doing activities essential to our species survival. Eating, hydration, exercise, procreation, etc. But some of us are very clever and have found un-natural ways to get the dopamine and serotonin to flow.  I figured out early on that smoking and drinking alcohol produced greater rewards than running and cheeseburgers. And so I specialized in those for about three decades. When it became apparent that it worked, but that it had potentially deadly side effects, I gave up alcohol and nicotine. And my brain rebelled for quite a while. It told me we could switch to many other substances or activities. Pot, gambling, compulsive shopping, recreational drugs, etc. But my training (AA) suggested that indulging in these things would be like switching seats on the Titanic and refrained from creating new substitute addictions for the past 21 years. Now I get my dopamine and serotonin in the natural ways the Universe intended. And my body and brain are happy again. 

But beware. Addiction is often referred to as a multi-headed dragon. Cut off one head and two others appear. In the medical world this is known as “comorbidities”. More than one addiction trying to kill us at the same time. For thirty years my comorbidities were alcohol and tobacco. A deadly race to see which would kill me first. Luckily, I wised up and got help.

Your friend in Montana

Troutnut1-dennis

[YoungAtHeart]

I don't believe nicotine is a gateway drug.  The high you get from it is so transitory, I don't think it will lead to anything else.  I think some people may have a genetic predisposition to other addictions.  Personally, I can become addicted to things like chocolate or tapioca or bread pudding!!!  If there is snow forecast and I am in one of those phases, I WILL brave the storm to be sure I have some.  However, I can go long periods without any of these kinds of things --- so don't really know the answer to your question.  I HATE painkillers for the constipation they cause me - so I could NEVER become addicted to them!!  I am somewhat addicted to exercise (suppose the hit of dopamine is what I seek) - and have a difficult time getting through a day without at least 30 minutes of it.  If it gets to be 4:00 in the afternoon and I have just been having a lazy day, I MUST get out for a walk or I am all out of sorts.

Just rambling stream of consciousness thoughts - but not really answers, I'm thinking........sorry!

[indingrl]

Thanks for SHARING and for ME - please I am talking about ME - NOT anyone else - thank you -  Addictions lead to addictions - life or death - I get to choose - I choose people pleasing - alcohol - chocolate - caffeine - fast food - white sugar family in MY past - now - ONLY by God's grace - NO NICOTINE since January 6, 2011 - COLD TURKEY QUIT from MY Lord Jesus -and since November 6, 1986 -  I am a born again believer in God's Word in the gospel of Grace  - 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 1- 4 in the Bible - the free gift of eternal Salvation - offered to the whole world by Apostle Paul's mysteries teachings  and thanks to God's grace and ALANON -  recovery group 12 steps - TODAY I live MY OWN life -  I was addicted to playing God in other's lives and living their lives and NOT MY own - and since May 22 , 1987 - I am sober - 12 step group called Alcoholics Anonymous - Since August 2005 - NO chocolate or fast food - since January 2011 - NO caffeine - since 1988 -  NO more addiction to victim childhood mentality and twisted perspective  - I prayed and got PROFESSIONAL HELP - I am a child rape survivor age 6 to 16yrs old and the addictions continue -  NO sugar or salt - I drink tons of water - I am addicted to MY Lord Jesus of MY own free will and I love love love HELPING other's in MY Lord Jesus name amen - thanks for letting ME share - now I understand spiritual balance in MY life by MY Holy Spirit teaching ME day by day - I read and study MY bible to keep learning and growing and being healed by MY Daddy God's grace upon grace - it is so wonderful - NOT SUCKING ON DEATH STICKS - one day at a time - I learn  to cope with ME - by everyone here SHARING  - and it is wonderful being grown up on the inside of ME - GOOD JOB staying a NON SMOKER and willing to learn from other's experience - NotOnePuffOverMe - N.O.P.E. - TOGETHER - WE will stay NON SMOKERS - yahooooooo - YOUR doing it

[WhispersQSMB]

Nicotine is the chemical in tobacco that keeps you smoking. Nicotine reaches the brain within seconds of taking a puff. In the brain, nicotine increases the release of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which help regulate mood and behavior.

Dopamine, one of these neurotransmitters, is released in the reward center of the brain and causes feelings of pleasure and improved mood.

The more you smoke, the more nicotine you need to feel good. Nicotine quickly becomes part of your daily routine and intertwined with your habits and feelings.

Common situations that trigger the urge to smoke include:

• Drinking coffee or taking breaks at work
• Talking on the phone
• Drinking alcohol
• Driving your car
• Spending time with friends

Nicotine dependence - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic 

[Maki]

Smoking was a choice I made that led to addiction; using everyday all day . Nicotine was in control in a week . 

Drinking was a choice .  I chose not . I drink only on special occasions and can control how much I drink . 

Not enough folks seek counsel to find the root of their problem before choosing unsafe practises to cope with the problem  .

Why do people drink ? Is it for the high or to fill a void or to deal with their issues or is it they just can't stop after the first because the problem doesn't go away ? Do they drink only because they have addictive tendencies because their parents did ? Why are some alcoholic yet their parents never ever drank ? 

Why did we choose to smoke . Like big T says ...No one made us . Why did we smoke more than one cigarette and within a week couldn't stop ? Why can some drinkers have one a week and no more ? 

Addiction ; is it a want or need or both ?  

Is addiction a disease ? I think drinking is a disease and I believe one can be genetically disposed to it but still it's a choice . I think nicotine consumption is a choice that led to you being addicted to it  too .  Will you hand that down to your children ?  In the case of drinking , I believe yes it can be handed down , but still it's a choice to take the first drink . Will your children smoke because you did , no , again , they make the choice. 

Everything begins by the decisions we make whether it's in our genes or not . Every addiction has a day 1 . After that , every day after is choice. 

Just my opinion from having been addicted to cigarettes and not alcohol or other addictions but having family members through marriage who are alcoholics in recovery . 

Maybe im just rambling end don't know what I'm talking about too lol . I'm no expert , they are just thoughts . Don't kill the cook lol  . 

I think quitting an addiction can lead to other dependencies as a substitute . Addiction ? 

[YoungAtHeart]

I did read one time that if you have an alcoholic parent or blood relative, you have like an 80% higher chance than the general population of becoming one.  My in-laws were both alcoholics, and I so warned both of my girls.  One listened and has never touched a drop; the other didn't listen and has an alcohol problem.  I have not heard the same about nicotine - but I had one parent who smoked, one who did not.  My only brother also smoked.  Only one of my daughters smokes - guess which one?

Don't know about one addiction leading to another.  I DO know that when my daughter was in alcohol rehab, they OFFERED cigarettes and even took them off campus to buy them. 

I am not sure this has been studied, actually - but think it might be hard to quantify...so many variables.

Thought provoking, though

[Marigene6266]

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful responses. It was exactly what I was looking for, opinions; not facts and figures, not research results. I believe in the truth and power behind research studies, they can be useful when making a decision about whether or not to do something in life. But for my purpose with this question, I wanted everyone to think and consider what their belief might be regardless of any facts or research that may or may not have been done because the choice to smoke, drink, use various drugs, etc is indeed a choice. Even when we know those facts we still choose to do those things which can kill us or at the very least make us desperately ill. My curiosity stems from a desire to know why that choice is made. Is it genetics? Is it completely random? What is the true , deep down in our hearts reason we make that choice that is so detrimental to our lives.