Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide
Tobacco-Related Disorders
DEFINITION
- Tobacco-use disorder is a cluster of behavioral, cognitive, and physical characteristics that occur in persons who are regular cigarette smokers or users of other tobacco products.
- Nicotine is the active ingredient in tobacco that binds to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This interaction triggers dopamine, epinephrine and acetylcholine release resulting in the pleasurable and addictive effects of smoking.
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Last updated: August 24, 2025
Citation
Sulaiman, Andrew, et al. "Tobacco-Related Disorders." Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide, The Johns Hopkins University, 2025. Johns Hopkins Guides, www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787104/all/Tobacco_Related_Disorders.
Sulaiman A, McCaul ME, Hutton HE. Tobacco-Related Disorders. Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2025. https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787104/all/Tobacco_Related_Disorders. Accessed October 15, 2025.
Sulaiman, A., McCaul, M. E., & Hutton, H. E. (2025). Tobacco-Related Disorders. In Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. The Johns Hopkins University. https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787104/all/Tobacco_Related_Disorders
Sulaiman A, McCaul ME, Hutton HE. Tobacco-Related Disorders [Internet]. In: Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2025. [cited 2025 October 15]. Available from: https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787104/all/Tobacco_Related_Disorders.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
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AU - Hutton,Heidi,Ph.D.
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BT - Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide
UR - https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787104/all/Tobacco_Related_Disorders
PB - The Johns Hopkins University
DB - Johns Hopkins Guides
DP - Unbound Medicine
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