Quit Smoking .... And Improve Your Odds for Long Term Recovery

As I know from personal experience, overcoming alcoholism is tough. Which is why many alcoholics who smoke continue to light up even while they’re in recovery. In fact, for years, alcoholics were not encouraged to quit drinking and smoking at the same time because it was thought that the stress of quitting alcohol was enough to deal with without adding to it the stress of trying to stop smoking at the same time.

But, research tells a different story.

Smoking is one of the most difficult addictions to overcome because it alters the brain in a similar manner as alcohol, heroin and cocaine. Often viewed as a gateway drug, many people begin with a cigarette addiction, which carries them onward to becoming addicted to alcohol (and even other harder drugs. This connection, according to research, is because nicotine incites a biological urge to drink more. Yes, smoking actually creates cravings for alcohol. Which is why several studies have found that quitting alcohol and cigarettes at the same time actually increases the chances of maintaining sobriety.

Need more of a reason to kick the habit? Here are a few:

First, a study at the Mayo Clinic showed that the process of treatment for one addiction, such as alcohol, enhances the effectiveness of dealing with the other, such as nicotine.

According to Dr. Michael M. Miller, president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, studies also show that people in recovery for other addictions who delay smoking cessation can later relapse to their chemical dependency because of the stress of quitting smoking six to 18 months later.

Further, because of the damage done to the body by years of heavy drinking, recovering alcoholics who smoke are at a much greater risk for developing health problems related to smoking -- particularly cancer and cardiovascular disease. Many recovering alcoholics (including one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous who died of emphysema) have conquered alcohol ---- their “primary addiction” --- yet die from smoking --- their “secondary addiction”. In fact, data shows that smoking actually kills more alcoholics than alcohol.

If you’re in recovery and still smoking, you’re not alone. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, an estimated 80-95% of alcoholics smoke cigarettes, and 70% of them are heavy smokers.

Want to enhance your odds of long-term recovery? Commit to kicking the habit. After all, stopping everything at once — getting all the psychological stress not to mention the physical withdrawals out of the way at one time — is the most effective way to go.

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David Bohl is Executive Director of Kiva Recovery, the trusted resource in addiction treatment. Focusing on the individual and the strengths within each of us, Kiva’s treatment approach aims to replace addiction with solution-focused, growth-oriented strategies focusing on Lifelong Recovery through Holistic Health, Positive Character Building through Continuous Character Growth, and Life Satisfaction through Contentment. The Kiva Recovery treatment center is located in Vernon Hills. To learn more, please visit www.KivaRecovery.com.