Hi, Phoenix.
Why do we want to light that cig? What do we expect from it other than nicotine? We expect nothing really, just the nicotine. Oh sure, we may use the excuses that it "relaxes us", or makes us "more alert", or "improves the memory", or a host of others. But the bottom line is our brains have become accustomed to the presence of nicotine and until they recover from that they are going to want it and that want will manifest as the need for a cig. If we had used smokeless tobacco, we'd want that instead of the cig.
This process is true for any addiction, whether it be to an external chemical (i.e. nicotine, heroin, etc.) or to an activity (gambling, danger, porn, etc.). Each one stimulates the brain in a way it finds pleasurable by elevating the levels of dopamine, endorphins, etc. When those levels drop it creates cravings for whatever the source of the stimulation was that caused their increase. This happens on a very primitive level in the subconscious. In some people, this primitive need can actually override the rational, causing them to do whatever they need to satisfy it.
Studies have shown that nicotine is more addictive than heroin and cocaine. In fact, the brain�s response to nicotine is very similar to its response to cocaine. It is true that people have, physically, a much harder time breaking a heroin addiction than quitting tobacco, but nobody mainlines nicotine. People who have quit heroin, cocaine, and/or alcohol addictions as well as quit smoking say that quitting smoking was the hardest.
As to the psychology of quitting heroin vs. nicotine, I think that since heroin is an illegal substance it attracts a different psychological profile than are the majority of smokers. IMO, these people tend to be more thrill seeking, less constrained by social and legal conventions, and have less self control. If there are any people in the social/psychology fields who can shed better light on this, please speak up. I�d be most interested in your input.
Shevie
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 305
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,109
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1159
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 56 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 48 [B]Seconds:[/B] 35