Quitting smoking is an extremely difficult task, and even successful people spend many years fighting their urges. Successful detoxification takes dedication and effort, and while it is a good idea to have methods of reducing stress and anxiety, addictive and unhealthy practices like smoking can make it more difficult to detox successfully.
That being said, many people entering detox programs need to smoke, and some places provide designated locations where patients can relieve their stress with tobacco. So is it good to smoke while detoxing, and what are the ramifications of smoking while on a detox program?
Cigarettes and Tobacco
Depending on the detoxification program you’re on, smoking cigarettes might be able to aid your stress and anxiety. If you’re on a marijuana detox, smoking a cigarette has proven to help suppress your desire for weed. Nicotine and cannabis both target similar dopaminergic pathways, meaning lighting a cigarette can calm you down without giving you the same addicting high.
In addition, lighting a cigarette helps speed up your metabolism and aid in weight loss, helping you lose pounds of fat layers that store THC. Research has yet to show how much nicotine you need and how effective smoking actually is for marijuana detoxification.
Of course, many people in addiction therapy programs are there to avoid substances like cigarettes and tobacco. It goes without saying that continuing to smoke cigarettes goes against curing a nicotine addiction, and cigarettes shouldn’t be relied upon to resolve your addiction.
Vaping
Vaping has become extremely popular, as it was created to be one of the many emerging options that turn people away from cigarette reliance. While nicotine is the main cause of substance use disorders from cigarettes, there are hundreds of other chemicals in cigarettes that lead to many of these disorders. Vaping is about 95% safer than traditional cigarettes, giving users a nicotine fix without the adverse side effects and chemicals that come with cigarettes.
It’s important to remember that while vaping is an alternative that helps quit smoking, it isn’t the same as being addiction free. Many medical professionals are worried that the adverse effects of vaping have yet to be discovered, including the fact that nicotine is much easier to consume than it was with cigarettes. That said, vaping is a good alternative to smoking and can help when you’re on a medical detox program, but you shouldn’t rely on it as an effective solution.
Marijuana
Marijuana can be effective for some in calming down the body while detoxifying or on a substance abuse treatment. Marijuana calms the endocannabinoid system, keeping your body balanced and relaxed. If you start to get urges to go back to abusive patterns, marijuana can manage the withdrawal effects and help you think straight. It’s difficult to know how much marijuana will help each individual, as it varies from person to person. As such, it’s important to remember not to rely on this method as a tried and true way of curing your addiction.
Detoxing Is the Best Time to Stop Smoking
The prevailing thought is that for one to truly be sober, you shouldn’t have to rely on any substances to get yourself over the hump. It’s estimated that almost 85% of people with a substance use disorder suffer from smoking addiction. Smoking also takes a serious toll on your mental health, with an estimated 35% of all individuals who smoke cigarettes having a behavioral disorder. No matter what you’re detoxing from, it’s recommended that you use your rehab time to quit smoking.
Detox the Right Way With Steps to Recovery
Steps to Recovery can ensure you get the necessary detoxification and rehab services. Our medically supervised withdrawal programs can help you or a loved one reduce your dependence on foreign substances and provide proper treatment and recovery. If you are seeking treatment, call Steps to Recovery today at 267.209.7312.
Sources:
https://greenfleets.org/blog/smoking-cigarettes-affect-thc-detox/
https://www.wellandgood.com/marijuana-detox-healthy-cleanses/
https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/smoking-facts/impact-of-tobacco-use/behavioral-health-tobacco-use
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