Tobacco Use Disorder

Introduction

Tobacco Use Disorder is a disorder that occurs when a person’s health or social welfare is harmed by the use of tobacco. In other words, the disorder is caused by becoming dependent on tobacco. Tobacco may be used in the form of cigarettes, cigars and pipes as well as smokeless tobacco products such as snuff and chewing tobacco. According to statistics, tobacco use is the top cause of preventable and avoidable diseases and deaths in the US (Kalman et al, 2009). Specifically, tobacco accounts for approximately 435,000 deaths per year and about $100 billion in direct and indirect medical costs. The most common diseases associated with tobacco use include lung, throat and mouth cancers, heart disease and chronic pulmonary diseases. Despite extensive attempts to raise public awareness on the risks associated with smoking tobacco, Underwood (2012) observes that an estimated 50 million Americans still consume tobacco. Just like cocaine and opium dependence, cigarette smoking can lead to a very powerful addiction. Approximately one in every three people who have ever tried one cigarette develops nicotine dependence.

Even though the general rate of smoking has declined in the US, Kalman et al (2009) maintain that the rates are still high amongst treatment-seeking substance users. National surveys have indicated that the prevalence of nicotine addiction among alcoholics is more than two times higher as compared to the general population. Additionally, the prevalence of tobacco use among treatment-seeking substance users is approximated to be as high as 90% (Fiore, 2008). The good news is that tobacco use disorder can be addressed through various mechanisms. This research paper focuses on the symptoms, onset, etiology, comp...

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