Vape Addiction Help: How to Stop Vaping Nicotine Today
Clinical Review by:
Published:
Nov 22, 2024
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09:45 a.m.
ET
E-cigarettes, now more popularly known as vapes, have been around longer than most people realize. The first e-cigarette was developed in 1963 and patented in 2003, hitting the US market in 2007. It is estimated that there are currently more than 400 brands of vapes with over 7,000 different flavors, including ones that appeal to kids such as chocolate and bubblegum. There are other types of vapes outside of nicotine ones that are also used to deliver cannabis, flavors, chemicals and other substances.
One in twenty Americans vape, with teenage vape consumption increasing 1800% from 2022 to 2023. Global vaping sales reached an estimated $40 Billion in 2023 and are expected to continue rising. While vaping is popular, there are dangerous health concerns to take into account as well. A study revealed that in 2020, there were 2,807 cases involving vapes that resulted in hospital visits, with 68 people dying from complications related to vaping. Despite there being a crackdown on JUUL and some nicotine users switching to ZYN pouches, vaping persists in the U.S. at a large scale, with vape addiction now a serious issue across the country.
Signs of addiction to vaping
Vaping companies state that vaping is less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes, but it is still not safe and can have dangerous repercussions on someone's physical and mental health. If someone is unable to stop or reduce their vaping, regardless of the negative impacts they may be addicted to vaping.
Signs of vape addiction can include:
Needing to vape immediately after waking up
Leaving class, meetings, work or events to vape
Feelings of anxiety or irritability when unable to vape
Issues with concentration
Sleep disruption
Continuing to vape despite knowing the negative health concerns
Preoccupation with when you can vape next
Inability to stop vaping even if you want and/or try to
Treatment options and help for vaping addiction
Vaping can become extremely addictive and depending on the impact it has on someone, they may need formalized treatment to help overcome vaping addiction. There are several medical options that can help someone quit using nicotine vapes and other nicotine products such as ZYN pouches.
Nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, can be a helpful way to help reduce nicotine vape use. NRT involves using gum, a patch or lozenge with lower levels of nicotine to help reduce the craving to use a vape and lessen withdrawal symptoms. Two medications that have been approved to treat nicotine addiction are Bupropion and Varenicline. The medications work to reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms while also blocking the effects of nicotine if used.
In addition to NRTs or medication, behavioral therapy can be a complimentary approach to treating nicotine vaping addiction. Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing are popular approaches to identifying triggers in vape use and readiness for change. Other therapy such as virtual counseling can be beneficial if in-person treatment is not feasible.
Birches Health offers virtual, confidential treatment from the comfort of home, which can be used in conjunction with medical interventions. Birches has certified therapists that can help with nicotine vape addiction in particular. They can be reached by contacting Birches via telephone at (833) 483-3838 or email to hello@bircheshealth.com.
Can nicotine vaping addiction be diagnosed?
There are clinical criteria that a medical professional can use to diagnose someone with nicotine vaping addiction. In order to be diagnosed with nicotine addiction, someone has to experience significant impairment or distress due to their nicotine use and display three or more of the following criteria within a 12 month period:
Tolerance
Withdrawal
Vaping in larger amounts or longer than intended
Unable to stop vaping even if you want to
A lot of time spent using, trying to find or recovering from vaping effects
Ignoring social, occupational or recreational responsibilities to vape
Continuing to vape regardless of negative mental and physical side effects
What makes nicotine vapes so addictive?
Nicotine is highly addictive, regardless of the form in which it is used. When someone vapes, the vapor that is laced with nicotine is quickly absorbed into the blood vessels that line the lungs and reaches the brain in approximately 10 seconds. Nicotine impacts the mesolimbic dopamine system which is responsible for positive reinforcement behaviors and the reward system of the brain. This mechanism is an essential part of our brains and is hard to ignore when the craving for more nicotine occurs.
The more someone vapes, the more their body gets used to nicotine and it becomes harder to stop. If someone is addicted to vaping and nicotine, they will experience a drop of nicotine in their bloodstream if they stop, which can cause unpleasant physical symptoms of withdrawal and create a strong urge or craving to vape again.
Can you have withdrawal when trying to stop vaping?
Depending on someone's degree of vape use, it is very possible that they may experience withdrawal when stopping. When you stop using nicotine or a vape, your brain and body will go through the process of getting used to not having constant nicotine consumption. The effects of withdrawal from nicotine can be very unpleasant and cause physical and emotional distress, including intense cravings for nicotine. Common nicotine withdrawal symptoms can include:
Intense cravings
Anxiety
Depression
Fatigue
Sleep disturbances
Mental fogginess
Feeling hungry
Headaches
Mood swings
