Smoking cessation in recovering alcoholics
Quitting smoking is difficult for anyone. However, for people who are recovering from alcohol consumption is an even greater challenge. Smokers in recovery from alcohol abuse may be more nicotine addicts. As a result, they often smoke more cigarettes
The road to better health
Smoking and drinking often go hand in hand. However, smokers who are recovering from alcohol use can quit without starting to drink again. While smoking can lead to an increased desire for alcohol, you are more likely to stay sober if you quit smoking during or immediately after treatment for alcoholism.
You may be more addicted to nicotine than other smokers. However, very few people succeed the first time they try to quit. Part of the problem may be that you have tried to quit on your own. There are many resources that can help you quit. You can get support from friends, family, support groups, nonprofit health organizations, and more.
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The most important resource to help you quit is your doctor. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends that doctors ask adults about tobacco use. They should advise patients to stop using tobacco, provide behavioral interventions, and give them medicines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help quit smoking.The AAFP recommends that adults over 18 be screened for alcohol abuse. Doctors should provide brief behavioral counseling interventions to people who may be at risk of alcohol abuse to reduce it.
When you stop smoking, you may experience withdrawal symptoms that include:
- Irritability
- Nervousness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Constipation
Therapy, medicines, or a combination of both can help manage withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor what treatment is right for you.If you think you won’t be able to quit, don’t give up. It is very likely that you felt that way on the road to recovery from alcohol abuse. Experiencing a sense of impotence and admitting you need help is the first step to ending your cigarette addiction. You need to face the habit of quitting smoking the same way you faced the habit of quitting: one step at a time. What gave you the strength and courage to stop drinking? The same tools, such as treatment, therapy, support groups, spirituality, friends and family, can help you quit smoking.
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Tips to help you quit include:
- Write down what you like about smoking and what you don’t like about quitting. Then write down what you don’t like about smoking and the reasons to quit.
- Remove some of your favorite cigarettes during the day.For 3 to 5 days, use a notebook to keep track of when you smoke each cigarette. Also, write down what you are doing and how you feel when you try to grab a cigarette. Look for patterns in your smoking.
To cope with nicotine craving and withdrawal, try the following:
- Ask your doctor about using some form of nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches, gum, inhalers, nasal sprays, or nicotine pills.
- Talk to your doctor about drug therapies to help reduce your cravings.
- Consider starting an exercise program. Exercise often helps reduce withdrawal symptoms, and gives you something to do when you feel the urge.
- Check with your doctor to find out about deep breathing, relaxation and imaging techniques that can help you cope with stress and desires.
Aspects to consider
Smoking is an addiction. It is as likely to kill you as any other addiction; perhaps even more. People who have been treated for alcohol problems are more likely to die from tobacco-related illnesses than from alcohol-related problems. In fact, recovering alcoholics who smoke are more likely to get heart and lung disease and cancer of the head, mouth, and throat. They are also likely to die before people who do not smoke or drink.Being around smokers can make quitting smoking harder. But quitting any addiction is difficult and requires you to make your own decision about what is best for you and your loved ones. Ask your family and friends not to smoke around you. This gives them a chance to support you. At first, staying away from other smokers can help.Your body is addicted to nicotine. That means you feel better with the drug than without it. You may be tempted to postpone quitting if you are under a lot of stress. Waiting for no stress before trying to quit can only be an excuse to avoid facing your nicotine addiction.
Most people gain 5 to 10 pounds when they quit. This is a lower health risk than smoking. Exercising regularly and eating low-fat foods can help you avoid gaining too much weight.
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To prevent a relapse, try the following:
- Avoid doing the things that trigger cigarette cravings. For example, if you always smoke with your morning coffee, try drinking tea instead.
- Plan ahead and practice how you will handle difficult situations. For example, think about the effects of being around friends and family who smoke.
- Learn to handle stressful situations and deal with negative feelings like anger, sadness, and anxiety.
- Look for smoke-free options, such as smoke-free support group meetings. Plan activities where you are unlikely to smoke, or with family and friends who do not smoke. Sit in the non-smoking section in restaurants.
- Remember that collapsing and smoking a cigarette does not mean you are a failure. Instead, don’t fall back into temptation and try again.