BETHESDA, Md. (WDNews) Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have shown that quitting smoking may help people recover from other addictions.
Adults who quit smoking cigarettes had a higher chance of experiencing long-term remission from alcohol or drug-related substance use disorders, according to the NIH-funded study. Data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, which tracks a nationally representative sample of American adults and children, was used in the analysis.
The director of NIH’s nationwide Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Dr. Nora Volkow, stated, “We now have strong evidence from a national sample that quitting cigarette smoking predicts improved recovery from other substance use disorders.” It emphasizes how crucial it is to treat many addictions collectively as opposed to separately.
Over the course of four years, 2,652 persons with a history of substance use disorder were monitored in this study. Researchers discovered that the likelihood of recovering from a non-tobacco addiction was 42% higher for those who switched from present to former smoking status.
Despite the well-established health benefits of quitting smoking, addiction treatment programs frequently do not place a strong emphasis on smoking cessation.
According to Dr. Wilson Compton, senior author of the study and deputy director of NIDA, this data supports the idea that smoking cessation should be a part of addiction treatment.
Although the findings clearly indicate that stopping smoking enhances recovery outcomes, researchers point out that additional study is required to verify a direct causal relationship and identify the most effective strategies for helping those in treatment stop smoking.
With support from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the NIH, the PATH Study is still running strong.
You can get treatment for substance use or mental health issues by visiting 988lifeline.org or by calling or texting 988. You can also get treatment resources by calling 800-662-HELP (4357) or visiting FindTreatment.gov.
