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The dangers of smoking are well known. In fact, smoking tobacco is linked to approximately 400,000 premature deaths in the United States each year. Yet millions of people continue to smoke, largely because smoking is one of the hardest habits to break. Of the many smokers who try to quit each year, fewer than 7% are successful. This is not only due to the addictive effect of nicotine, a chemical present in tobacco products, but because for many, there is a deep sense of pleasure surrounding the smoking ritual itself-opening a pack, lighting up, smoking after a meal or while drinking. 
To understand the powerful effect of nicotine on the brain, you should know that there are millions of nerve cells in the brain, which work together with neurotransmitters, chemicals that function as "agonists," binding to the nerve cells and triggering cellular responses that mediate many of our body processes.
Each nerve cell in the brain has unique "receptors" that individual neurotransmitters attach to. But while the receptor sites fit like a puzzle with individual neurotransmitters, chemicals with similar chemical structure can fit into the same receptor site. Nicotine, for example, fits onto the receptor for the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine, but because it is not Acetylcholine, it doesn't act exactly like this chemical. Nicotine causes the release of other neurotransmitters that affect mood, appetite and memory. One of these is dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is produced in the pleasure center of the brain. An increase in dopamine gives an intense "rush," or feeling of pleasure. This feeling causes the desire to continue smoking in order to continue to experience pleasure. This behavioral/chemical link is what reinforces smoking behaviors.
When people quit smoking, nicotine is withdrawn, causing a lowering of the nicotine agonist response, which lowers levels of dopamine. This is what causes typical "withdrawal symptoms," such as irritability, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, depressed mood, and increased appetite. It is these uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that cause many quitters to resume smoking again.
In recent years, several medications have been developed to assist with smoking cessation. Nicotine patches and gum, for example, provide the smoker with the nicotine agonist itself in decreasing strength, allowing smokers to gradually withdraw from nicotine consumption without suffering extreme withdrawal symptoms. Other medications work as "antagonists," binding to the nicotine receptor sites and blocking them from activation by nicotine, yet mimicking the effect of nicotine-thus lowering withdrawal symptoms.
A new type of medication, called Chantix (Varenicline) works as a "partial agonist," which activates the nicotine receptor but doesn't cause as much change as the agonist (nicotine) itself. This means that there is a steady, low level of dopamine released, resulting in fewer feelings of craving and fewer withdrawal symptoms. If a person who is taking this medication begins to smoke, the medication blocks the reinforcing effect of smoking.
Chantix has been FDA approved for use in helping to stop smoking. Like all drugs used for smoking cessation, it's best combined with a stop smoking behavioral program. Side effects associated with Chantix include headache, nausea and insomnia.
Youth Care's behavior modification program is based on accountability, responsibility, and respect. Boys and girls at Youth Care are expected to treat staff and peers with respect and in return they can expect to be treated with respect. Staff members are trained to apply consequences and provide feedback for students in a respectful manner without demeaning or belittling the adolescent. If you are looking for a residential treatment program, including dual diagnosis treating a combination of several mental health and/or substance abuse issues, then Youth Care may be the place for your troubled pre-teen or teen to get the help they need. Visit Youth Care today to learn more about their adolescent residential treatment programs >>>