What makes vaping so addictive?
Vaping has become increasingly popular among teenagers and young adults, largely due to the ‘collectable’ nature of many vapes and e-cigarettes, allowing those who use vapes to have multiple colors or ‘flavors’ to choose from. It’s easy to fall into seeing vapes as somehow not as bad as cigarettes, but the truth is very different.
Adolescent medicine specialist Hannah Hulsey-Comer, MD, answered our questions on what makes vaping so addictive and how to talk to your teen about vaping.
Why is vaping addictive?
“Most e-cigarettes and vaping products contain nicotine, which is highly, highly addictive,” said Dr. Hulsey-Comer. “Teens may not be aware of the amount of nicotine or even realize there is nicotine in their vaping products.”
Teenage brains are still developing, making them more vulnerable to nicotine addiction and putting them at a higher risk of potential side effects. The simple truth is that teens are more susceptible to addiction, and it can happen fast, even if they’ve just started vaping.
Why has vaping become popular among teens and young adults?
“Vaping has become increasingly common and popular among youth, and there’s a lot of different causes,” said Dr. Hulsey-Comer. “We see e-cigarettes marketed in ways that are clearly targeted at younger adults and teens, as well as flavors, like fruit or candy, that are definitely made with teenage taste buds in mind.”
Dr. Hulsey-Comer added that the influence of peers and overall social pressures within their age and peer group can increase teen vaping and make teens feel pushed to start vaping to fit in.
There are also increasing rates of vaping devices being used for cannabis or other related substances, driving even more prevalent use of these products.
How does vaping affect mental health?
“Teens may feel like vaping will help to alleviate stress or decrease symptoms of anxiety or depression, but many studies have shown the opposite to be true,” said Dr. Hulsey-Comer. “Vaping in teens has been linked to increased depression and anxiety symptoms and can actually harm and may have negative effects on their ability to take in information and knowledge.”
Nicotine has been known for decades to be harmful to the developing adolescent brain, including affecting mental health. Teens who are addicted to nicotine may show changes in mood or signs of withdrawal when attempting to quit, leading to a cycle of mood disruption.
Reports have shown teens who are able to quit vaping and find more healthy alternative coping mechanisms have better mental health outcomes. Additionally, there are studies that show an association between teens who vape and an increased likelihood to try cigarettes, marijuana and other substances that can lead to worsening mental health outcomes.
How can a parent best talk to their teen about vaping?
“It’s important, when you talk to your child about vaping, to be nonjudgemental and take an open-minded approach,” said Dr. Hulsey-Comer. “You want to avoid a lecture, which teens are prone to tuning out, and instead have a discussion. You might begin by asking what their friends or others in their peer group are doing when it comes to vaping.”
Dr. Hulsey-Comer also noted that it might be a good starting point to bring up the topic when you witness someone vaping or see vaping-related advertising.
This isn’t a matter of “because I said so.” Teens are famously inquisitive and respond best to discussion, so come prepared with information from credible, science-based sources when discussing your concerns. If your teen is already struggling with vaping and needs help with quitting, let them know that you are there for support and the reasoning behind why you are concerned.
What are the most effective methods for quitting vaping?
“We know that setting a quit date and having an established quit plan with support and resources when trying to quit leads to the best outcomes,” said Dr. Hulsey-Comer. “Some patients may benefit from nicotine replacement therapy like patches, gum or medications to help with quitting from a qualified provider.”
Others may benefit from having a behavioral health therapist or medical provider aiding with motivational interviewing and counseling strategies while they are working to quit vaping.
Resources like 1-800-QUIT-NOW, smokefree.gov, smart phone applications like the QuitSTART app and other online resources can be beneficial.
You can find a full list of resources available from the American Academy of Pediatrics right here.
How long does it take to quit?
“How long it takes to quit vaping really depends on the amount someone has been using, how frequently and how severe their addiction may be,” said Dr. Hulsey-Comer. “Some teens are able to stop immediately on their own, but others may need to take it slow with help from a medical provider.”
Medications and other behavioral health interventions could be needed to help with managing cravings and symptoms of withdrawal.
What happens to the body after quitting vaping?
“When you’ve been vaping, your brain gets used to getting that reliable rush of nicotine,” said Dr. Hulsey-Comer. “Once you make the choice to quit, your body and brain must go without something they’ve become reliant on. Sometimes, that leads to a withdrawal period that includes negative physical and mental health symptoms.”
Symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Changes in mood
- Increased jitteriness
- Anxiety
- Problems sleeping
- Increased hunger
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Increased cravings for nicotine/vaping
Having support and a plan to help manage cravings and potential withdrawal symptoms can help lessen discomfort. Withdrawal symptoms will feel their strongest in the first few days after quitting, but they can last for several weeks in some cases.
“The truth is, the problem isn’t just in the nicotine,” said Dr. Hulsey-Comer. “Those candy-flavored vapes often have aerosols containing potentially harmful chemicals, heavy metals and multiple volatile organic compounds. We’re still researching the short- and long-term harm these substances can do. So far, all our research makes it clear that there is no safe amount of vaping for teens.”
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