Stop smoking, drinking or consuming cannabis is not only “good will”. Behind addiction, often hides a combination of biological, genetic and psychological factors that make weaning particularly difficult. Two specialists, Alice Denoize, coach, tobaccoologist and creator of the anti cigarette click, and Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical, decrypt this special emotional link.
A strong emotional link
The cigarette that we smoke as soon as she gets up – to start the day well – or just after an argument to go back down in a long time in the place that these “puffs” take (no oxygen, but nicotine) in our lives.
“”Cigarettes often represents something important for us: medication, crutch, comforter …“Explains Dr. Alice Denoize.”However, when you want to stop, it is common to see this as mourning: we will be in frustration in the face of the loss of a tool that allows us to work, “she said.
Indeed, after a moment of stress or aging, thehas cigarettes distress us. “Having your ideas in a moment of mental size can really relieve. Nicotine is revolutionary for smokers“, She continues.
For her, say goodbye to this drug, or others, therefore requires wondering how “do“. This involves psychotherapeutic work: identifying the discomfort to be treated to function properly, look for replacement solutions and sometimes use nicotinic support”To avoid the fear of suffering“.
How to explain such a physical and psychological dependence?
If freeing yourself from one or more drugs is extremely difficult, understanding how this addiction occurred in your life can be a real first step. But as Dr. Gérald Kierzek wishes to remind you, the addiction is multifactorial: “It is a combination of biological, genetic, psychological and environmental factors“He says.
Genetic and neurobiological factors
Multiple and varied, these factors can be responsible for the pleasure felt from the first take:
- Hereditary predisposition: “Certain genetic variations affect the production of dopamine (neurotransmitter of pleasure) or the sensitivity of brain receivers”;
- A slow alcohol metabolism (dehydrogenase alcohol deficit) “which can increase addiction”;
- Reward system: Drugs abnormally activate the mesolimbic circuit (cerebral zone of pleasure). “Some brains release more dopamine in response to substances, strengthening dependence.”
Structural brain differences
“”In some dependents, there is a reduced volume of the prefrontal cortex which leads to less good control of pulses“, Note Dr Gérald Kierzek.”Some also have increased sensitivity of receptors, such as nicotine tobacco receptors or μ-opioid receptors for heroin “, he said.
Psychological and developmental factors
“Early trauma, such as abuse or negligence, can alter stress circuits and push to seek an escape. In addition, the presence of psychiatric disorders – such as depression, ADHD or bipolarity – frequently leads to a form of self -medication by drugs”, underlines the medical expert.
The role of the environment and learning
“Early exposure to drugs, especially during adolescence, makes the brain in development more vulnerable to addictive modifications. The social context, such as peer pressure or isolation, can also strengthen dependence behavior”, Confirms Dr Gérald Kierzek.
Epigenetic mechanisms
Still according to the doctor, chronic use of drugs can modify the expression of genes (without changing DNA), making the brain “more sensitive to relapses “. “”Some brains are wired to feel increased pleasure or a more intense lack with drugs. Adolescents and people with mental disorders are particularly vulnerable“, He explains.
How to break this usual relationship?
According to Alice Denoize, the secret (when taking tobacco, but this also applies to other drugs) lies in the management of “pop-ups”: “When the desire arrives, you have to divert it: go out to take the air, walk, get to the window, drink a glass of water, chew a chewing gum … The idea is to enter the action, to cause an appeal to the brain “.
“”A thought related to cigarettes triggers an emotion, and the brain sends us the image of cigarettes as a solution. If we work with your emotions, by identifying the associated need, we find more easily alternative solutionsS “, specifies the tobaccoologist.
Finally, she recalls that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. “”Finding alone the solution is very complicated. The psychological and behavioral aspect makes habits very difficult to dislodge, especially when they have been anchored for a long time. It is not just a question of mind: the products are addictive. There are a number of people who want to quit smoking but who can’t do it. “
And to add: “Some brains do not react normally. A brain that is not “addict” to nicotine is rare: about 5 % escape the tobacco industry. So much the better for them, these are specific brains. But for the others, we can never be happy occasional smokers, there will always be a share of resistance “, she concludes.