It’s why people keep puffing away even though the dangers of smoking are widely known. The brain interprets smoking as a positive experience – and is driven to repeat the behavior. Nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco, is a powerful chemical that works on the brain’s reward center by activating the neural pathways associated with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction.
There are several reasons why quitting smoking benefits long-term sobriety, Dr. Those who quit were significantly less likely to continue to have an alcohol or drug use disorder and were less likely to have developed one, than those who kept smoking Why Quitting Smoking Benefits Long-Term Sobriety When surveyed a second time three years later, 19% of smokers had quit. A study published in 2014 by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine surveyed 5,000 smokers and found 50% had an alcohol use disorder either currently or at some point in their past, while 24% had a drug use disorder, either current or past. Research shows that quitting smoking actually strengthens sobriety. “It’s one of the best things anyone can do for their health and wellbeing.” “Quitting smoking does not interfere with treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, and it doesn’t threaten sobriety,” Jacobs said. Others believed that cigarettes help prevent relapse, by helping addicts relieve stress or cope with the challenges of sobriety. Why? The old way of thinking was that if an individual has to give up drugs and alcohol, they should get a pass on smoking. Yet traditionally, drug and alcohol rehab centers haven’t made quitting tobacco a priority for those in recovery – and some even avoid addressing it. Brain nicotine addiction tobacco use disease Studies show that most smokers want to quit.