White blood cells (WBCs), also called leukocytes or leucocytes, are the cells of the immune system that are involved in protecting the body against both infectious disease and foreign invaders. All white blood cells are produced and derived from multipotent cells in the bone marrow known as hematopoietic stem cells.
Nicotine dependence is now recognized as a psychoactive substance dependence disorder (DSM-IV, ICD-10). Under the DSM-IV criteria smokers are classified as dependent if they exhibit impaired control and continue to smoke despite awareness that it exacerbates a medical condition, and if they experience withdrawal symptoms when abstaining from smoking, or if they have a history of unsuccessful attempts at quitting.
Within the framework of the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), substance dependence is redefined as a drug addiction, and can be diagnosed without the occurrence of a withdrawal syndrome.he dependence potential of a drug varies from substance to substance, and from individual to individual. Dose, frequency, pharmacokinetics of a particular substance, route of administration, and time are critical factors for developing a drug dependence.