Can you get addicted to black and milds?

Yes. You can get to Black and Milds. Actually, the nicotine naturally found in tobacco is addictive. Learn more about how nicotine effects can lead to addiction here.

3
minute read

Yes. You can get addicted to the nicotine found in Black and Milds. Nicotine, a component of tobacco, is the primary reason that tobacco products like Black and Mild are addictive.

But aren’t Black and Milds safer than other types of cigars? How does tobacco and nicotine affect you while smoking cigars? And is smoking cigars addictive?  We explore these questions here and invite you to ask your questions at the end.

Are Black and Milds safer than other cigars?

Sorry. No they are not safer. Black and Milds are a type of cigar called a “cigarillos”, which are typically smaller than regular cigar in terms of diameter and length. Black and Milds are a little bigger than little cigars and cigarettes and contain about 3 grams of tobacco each. But even though Black and Milds are smaller, they are just as harmful to you.

Black and Milds deliver a wide range of chemicals which can modify behavior. Each Black and Mild you smoke contains cancerous chemicals, plus carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, ammonia, cadmium and nicotine. Even if the smoke is not inhaled, high levels of psychoactive chemicals like nicotine can still be absorbed into the body. And although nicotine is absorbed through the mucosal membranes in the lining of the mouth (or in accidental lung inhalation) and reaches peak blood levels and the brain more slowly, its effects are intoxicating. And it’s the nicotine (and possible other chemicals in tobacco) that can get you addicted.

Black and Milds: What causes the “kick”?

Immediately after exposure to nicotine, you experience a “kick” to your system. This kick is caused because nicotine stimulates the adrenal glands, causing a discharge of epinephrine (adrenaline). The rush of adrenaline stimulates the body and causes an increase in blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate which can be measured. And if you love this effect and smoke Black and Milds to get it, you are at risk of becoming addicted..

How do you get addicted to Black and Milds?

Addiction is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and abuse, even in the face of negative health consequences. Nicotine addiction occurs after chronic smoking or dosing over an extended period of time. If you smoke enough Black and Milds over enough time, you will NEED the nicotine in the cigar in order to function and prevent withdrawal.

Just know that nicotine is the primary reason that tobacco products like Black and Mild are addictive. Nicotine is available in high enough quantities in cigarellos like Black and Mild to trigger physical dependence. But in addition, a psychological element of addiction (craving) is also present. It’s this compulsive nature of addiction, and the inability to withstand cravings which makes addiction so difficult to overcome.

Additionally, the acute effects of nicotine wear off quickly, as do the associated feelings of reward. The “kick” effect of nicotine drive a smoker to continue dosing to maintain the drug’s pleasurable effects and prevent withdrawal. And although nicotine withdrawal time is different for every smoker, most symptoms will ease after the first few days and then be gone 2 weeks after you stop smoking. But nicotine addiction is not an easy habit to break. And you are not alone.

Do you need help for Black and Mild use?

If you think that you are smoking too many Black and Milds, you probably are. If you are asking yourself, “Why can’t I stop smoking?”  maybe it’s time to take a closer look. Please leave us a message below or send us an email and let us know how we can help you. If you’re looking for treatment, there are a number of options available to you. We can help you research local resources and get you connected to addiction professionals who can help. Just let us know!

Reference sources: NIDA Research Report Series on Tobacco Addiction
National Cancer Institute Cigar Smoking topic
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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