Nicotine Addiction

Nicotine is one of the most widely used addictive substances in the world. According to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 40 million adults in the U.S. still smoke cigarettes. Despite the fact that smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death, many people in addiction treatment still use a nicotine product.

This article will discuss nicotine addiction, nicotine use in rehabs, and the benefits of quitting smoking.

Nicotine Use in Rehabs

It’s not uncommon to see a small band of people smoking outside 12-Step meetings, treatment centers, and other locations designated for addiction treatment purposes.

In fact, it’s less common for people not to smoke than to smoke among clients enrolled in rehab, according to a new review published in the journal Addiction. The review of 54 studies  included more than 37,000 participants who were in an addiction treatment program across 20 countries (not including the U.S.). It found that an estimated 31 percent of the general population smokes cigarettes, yet about 84 percent of people in treatment around the world smoke.

Quitting Smoking in Rehab

Tobacco use is deadly; no one refutes that. Yet millions of people continue to use tobacco products, despite the many studies that prove that use of tobacco can contribute to a range of cancers, including cancer of the nose, mouth, throat, and lungs, as well as other chronic and deadly diseases. It would make sense to help individuals in rehab who are interested in quitting smoking to take steps to do that during treatment.

In treatment, if someone is struggling with polysubstance use those are addictions are treated simultaneously. So should it be required that nicotine use be treated, too?

Not necessarily. Though it may be a great choice for people to enroll in programs that, as a general rule, extend their parameters to the point that they are attempting to help them overcome every single behavior that could contribute to death and health problems rather than just focusing on addiction and co-occurring mental health issues, it may not be a plausible option given the cost, time, and intensity required.

Though some attention paid to these issues may be beneficial, to require a complete cessation of all unhealthy behaviors may stop people who are in desperate need of addiction treatment from seeking the treatment they need to address the primary issue in front of them: drug and alcohol addiction.

Can Quitting Smoking Improve the Ability to Stay Sober?

There are some experts who believe that a strong focus on the cessation of cigarette use during drug rehab where the individual is heavily supported by therapists, a medical team, and peers will improve the outcome of long-term sobriety after the transition back into independent living. It makes sense that improving overall health and wellness – which quitting smoking will certainly do – will also improve the ability to use positive coping mechanisms to manage stress, feel better in general, get better sleep, and be more capable of avoiding relapse when experiencing cravings.

Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Las Vegas

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction and are ready to take the first steps towards long-term sobriety, call us today at . At our addiction treatment center in Las Vegas, we offer professional comprehensive treatment programs for people struggling with addiction and co-occurring disorders.

When you call us, our admissions navigators are on hand to answer your questions about our different levels of care, as well as ways to pay for rehab, and using your insurance for treatment. They can talk to you about what to expect in treatment, walk you through the rehab admissions process, and even help you to make travel arrangements.

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