Lifestyle changes are difficult, even when they are for the better. Preliminary addiction recovery takes a lot of strength, bravery and support, but it can set you on a path to wellness and a happier life.

Smoking in Addiction Recovery

While you are in recovery for an addiction to alcohol or drugs, it is also a good time to stop smoking. People once believed that quitting smoking during addiction recovery would be too difficult to manage, but the truth is that doing so can help your recovery as a whole.

A big part of recovery is replacing the addictive behaviors with something else; there are many good behaviors to substitute like exercise, enriching hobbies and a renewed focus on wellness.

However, sometimes people in recovery find themselves taking up smoking, thinking that this is a less destructive behavior than misusing drugs or alcohol. This may be one reason that the number of people who smoke in treatment centers is much higher than that of the general public. Smoking is not a healthy alternative to addiction; instead, it has its own addictive properties. Therefore, it is important to stop smoking during recovery treatment for the best outcome overall.

Nicotine Addiction Hampers Recovery

Some people think that smoking cigarettes can make recovery easier, however, the opposite is true. Cigarette smoking and nicotine addiction can cause problems during recovery and can increase the chances of relapse.

One reason smoking can hinder recovery is that this behavior can serve as a trigger that can cause a relapse. For instance, if someone always smoked when they had a drink or got high, the cigarette will link to the use of alcohol or drugs, making remission more difficult. Also, ongoing nicotine use can cause cravings for other drug use.

Science has proven that smoking is bad for you. According to the Centers for Disease Control, tobacco-related illnesses kill more Americans than other drugs and these illnesses are the leading causes of preventable death. Smoking has numerous, severe long-term and short-term health risks and is not a healthy alternative to other drug use.

If you quit smoking while in treatment for addiction, your chances of long-term recovery are much higher. Another reason to quit drugs and cigarettes together is that if you are quitting one drug, you can expect withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine has withdrawal symptoms, too, so many believe that it is better to just get it all over with at once. Treatment centers now offer support and programs to help you get through nicotine addiction as well as other drug addictions.

How to Stop Nicotine Use

Quitting an addiction is hard. There is no easy way, no matter the substance. It is even harder on your own, so if you are in an addiction treatment center for a substance use disorder already, it is a good time to quit smoking, too. In a treatment center, you can have support and help to stop.

Nicotine patches are often used to stop smoking. A nicotine patch is nicotine replacement where nicotine is delivered through your skin by a patch that you apply daily. A steady dose of nicotine is delivered so this eases the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

The amount of nicotine in the patch is reduced over time so you can gradually get to a point of not needing it at all anymore. You start with a higher dose and, over time, use lower dose patches, with the goal of no longer needing any nicotine. Nicotine patches can help in the cessation of smoking, and studies show that using a patch can double your chances of quitting smoking successfully.

Because of the gradual decrease of nicotine in your system, nicotine patches are effective in helping you quit smoking. The physical habit of smoking can stop during this time, as does the need for nicotine. Nicotine patches can not only help in quitting cigarettes initially, but they can help you stay away from cigarettes in the long term. This, in turn, can help you avoid relapses with other drugs, too.

However, patches are only one of many tools to help, and recovery is still a process.

If you use a nicotine patch while in treatment, your chances of successful recovery are even better. In a treatment center, you can find the support and other tools to help you gather the strength to stop smoking. As you see your health and well-being improving, it can also inspire you to continue on your recovery journey.

Nicotine Addiction Treatment in a Recovery Center

Because co-occurring nicotine addictions and other addictions are so common, treatment centers are starting to address nicotine addiction more often. It was once thought that smoking provided relief while quitting another drug, but now programs see the need to address nicotine addiction along with other drug addictions. While it is unlikely that you would choose to enter an addiction treatment program just to stop smoking, making an effort to stop smoking while you are already in a treatment program is a smart way to use available resources and support.

A recovery center like Orlando Recovery Center provides the perfect climate to stop smoking. You will find the tools you need and the support that is helpful in any addiction recovery. The Orlando Recovery Center provides this treatment and support in a positive, healthy, comfortable environment. You’ll find positive activities to help you recover, such as yoga, exercise programs and support groups, along with a caring and compassionate professional staff to stand by your side throughout your addiction treatment.

If you are dealing with a substance use disorder, please reach out to us. We understand that recovery from addiction is hard, but we are here to help you find success. Contact Orlando Recovery Center for more information and learn more about admissions. Our dedicated staff would love to share how we can help you on this journey to lifelong sobriety.