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From the Director

The use of tobacco products may be the Nation's most critical public health problem. It is, in fact, addiction to nicotine that is at the root of this enormous health, social, and financial burden.

An improved overall understanding of addiction, coupled with the identification of nicotine as an addictive drug, has been instrumental in the development of medications and behavioral treatments for nicotine addiction. In essence, science-driven treatment development has provided to consumers the option to easily purchase effective treatments, such as the nicotine patch and nicotine gum, in their local drugstores and supermarkets. Science has also shown that treating addiction with medications alone is not nearly as effective as when the medication is coupled with a behavioral approach. While we have made substantial progress in developing both pharmacological and behavioral treatments that have proven effective for many people, much more remains to be done.

Through the use of advanced neuroimaging technologies, we are now actually able to see some of the changes in brain function that occur as people smoke tobacco products. Researchers are beginning to find that there may be chemicals other than nicotine in cigarette smoke that contribute to tobacco's addictiveness. This finding and many other new research accomplishments in the addiction arena are providing us with an unprecedented opportunity to curtail this enormous public health crisis.

We hope this compilation of scientific information will help to inform readers about our current understanding of nicotine addiction and its harmful effects and will assist in prevention and treatment efforts.

Alan I. Leshner, Ph.D.
Director
National Institute on Drug Abuse

National Institute on Drug Abuse
Research Report Series

Index

• What is nicotine?
  
  
• Is nicotine addictive?
  
  
• What is the extent and impact of tobacco use?
  
  
• How does nicotine deliver its effect?
  
  
• What happens when nicotine is taken for long periods of time?
  
  
• What are the medical consequences of nicotine use?
  
  
• Smoking and pregnancy: What are the risks?
  
  
• Are there effective treatments for nicotine addiction?
  
  
• Are there gender differences in tobacco smoking?
  
  
• Where can I get further scientific information about nicotine addiction?
  
  
• Glossary and References
  
  

To obtain printed copies of this report, please call or write the National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and Drug Information, P.O. Box 2345, Rockville, MD 20852, 1-800-729-6686. NIDA Research Report - Nicotine Addiction: NIH Publication No. 98-4342 129463 since 7/20/97

[First Page - What is Nicotine >>]