- Nicotine is as addictive as Heroin and Cocaine, both are Class A drugs.
- Nicotine starts to affect the brain within 10 seconds of inhaling cigarette smoke.
Nicotine is a drug, which enters the body via cigarette smoke.
When a smoker inhales cigarette smoke, nicotine triggers the release of dopamine, making them think they’re more relaxed (although actually they’re not because their heart is beating even faster). These feelings don’t last long and over time, a person needs to smoke more and more cigarettes to get these feelings back. It is this addiction to the nicotine in cigarettes that makes it so hard for smokers to quit.
Nicotine addiction develops very quickly in children. Children aged between 11 and 16 who smoke one or more cigarettes a week have similar levels of nicotine dependence as adults.
A person who stops smoking will experience withdrawal symptoms as their body adjusts to life without nicotine. These can include strong cravings, irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, restlessness; disturbed sleep and decreased heart rate. However the longer-term health and lifestyle benefits far outweigh these short-term effects.
ReNew provides adult drug and alcohol support services across Hull.
Visit the ReNew website to access their services
Support for young people
ReFresh is a young people’s drug and alcohol service providing confidential support for young people up to the age of 18 who live, study or work in Hull.
ReFresh knows that if you are having problems with drugs or alcohol you may be having difficulties in other areas of your life. We have helped lots of young people improve –
- family relationships
- secure somewhere stable to live
- get support with school, college or work
- make positive use of their time
ReFresh can offer you –
- a space to talk and someone to listen
- advice and information on reducing and using safely
- health checks –
- including sexual health
- safer injecting
- testing and treatment for blood borne viruses
- help to deal with cravings, controlling tension and reducing anxiety
- help with emotional and mental health
- help to improve family relationships
How to access
You can access the service by –
- email – refresh@hullcc.gov.uk
- telephone – 01482 331 059
- in person – Kenworthy House, Monday to Friday 12.30 – 2pm ask ask for Refresh worker
Parents and carers can also seek advice or support if they are concerned about a young person.
Strategies and policies
Access our alcohol strategy and public health briefing papers on drugs and alcohol.