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Evidence that Nicotine is Addictive

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Effects of Nicotine on Biological Systems II

Part of the book series: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences ((APS))

Summary

Views questioning the addictiveness of nicotine continue to be expressed in some quarters. Patterns of use by smokers and the remarkable intractability of smoking point to compulsive use as the norm. Studies in animal and human subjects have shown that nicotine can function as a reinforcer, but under a rather limited range of conditions. There is a resemblance between the discriminative stimulus and other effects of nicotine, amphetamine and cocaine. There is a well-defined nicotine withdrawal syndrome that is alleviated by nicotine replacement. Thus, the evidence identifies nicotine as an addictive agent, comparable to heroin and cocaine.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Psychiatry, Section of Behavioural Pharmacology, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK

    I. P. Stolerman

  2. Institute of Psychiatry, ICRF Health Behaviour Unit, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK

    M. J. Jarvis

Authors
  1. I. P. Stolerman
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  2. M. J. Jarvis
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Drummond Street, H3G 1Y6, Montreal, Québec, Canada

    Paul Brian Sydenham Clarke  & Maryka Quik  & 

  2. Stiftung fĂĽr Verhalten und Umwelt, Pettenkoferstrasse 12, D-80336, MĂĽnchen, Germany

    Franz Adlkofer (Sekretär) (Sekretär)

  3. Physiologisches Institut, Universität München, Pettenkoferstrasse 12, D-80336, München, Germany

    Klaus Thurau (Vorstand) (Vorstand)

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© 1995 Birkhäuser Verlag Basel

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Stolerman, I.P., Jarvis, M.J. (1995). Evidence that Nicotine is Addictive. In: Clarke, P.B.S., Quik, M., Adlkofer, F., Thurau, K. (eds) Effects of Nicotine on Biological Systems II. Advances in Pharmacological Sciences. Birkhäuser Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-7445-8_25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-7445-8_25

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser Basel

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-0348-7447-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-0348-7445-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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