5 ways to know if you are at risk of having Tobacco Use Disorder

Tobacco addiction does not occur in everyone who smokes, but the largest percentage of users get addicted to tobacco resulting in tobacco use disorder while the chances of becoming addicted varybetween individuals. So many smokers do have tobacco use disorder and they are ignorant about it. So, how can you know if you or your loved ones are at risk of having tobacco use disorder? What are the risk factors? They are:

1. Mental illness or depression/ Substance abuse

Research findings have shown that people who struggle with depression and other forms of mental illness such as anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, psychotic disorders, schizophrenia e.t.c. are likely to use and get addicted to tobacco products. If you know that you are living with a mental health illness and you smoke or smoking linked withdepression/ anxiety, you are at risk of having tobacco use disorder.

Also, If you abuse other drugs or substances like opioids etc,you are likely to have tobacco use disorder.

2. Having parents/ guardians who use tobacco products:

You are at risk of having tobacco use disorder if you grew up or you are going up in a home where they use tobacco products. This tends to put you in a situation where you see no wrong in using tobacco products and you continue to smoke.

3. Age: You are at risk of having tobacco use disorder if you started using tobacco at a young age. The younger you were when you started smoking, the higher the chance you have of becoming a heavy smoker as an adult.

4. Genetics: Some research has shown that your gene can show if you have an increased risk of becoming addicted to tobacco. Some people metabolize nicotine faster while some slower. Peoplethat metabolize nicotine slower are at risk of having tobacco use disorder than those that metabolize nicotine faster. With slower nicotine metabolism, nicotine stays longer in the body and gives a strong effect.

5. Low education level: It has been studied that people who have higher educationlevels are not likely to get addicted to smoking. Ignorance and lack of exposure might cause people to continue to smoke. Tobacco use disorder might be common in areas where people living there have low education levels.

I will always say that knowing you need help is the first step in helping yourself and the steps you take after will determine if you want the problem gone or not. In the case of tobacco addiction, seeking medical help is the better and right help you can get for yourself.

Do you think tobacco products should still be produced despite the harm it causes the users?

Kindly drop a comment down below.

REFERENCES

• https://apcbham.org/2022/03/08/risk-factors-for-tobacco-abuse-and-addiction/

• https://www.mercy.com/health-care-services/behavioral-mental-health/conditions/tobacco-use-disorder