BETHESDA, Md. (WDNews) — Quitting smoking may boost recovery from other addictions, according to new findings from scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The NIH-funded study found that adults who stopped smoking cigarettes were more likely to achieve long-term remission from substance use disorders involving alcohol or other drugs. The analysis used data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, which follows a nationally representative group of U.S. adults and youth.
“We now have strong evidence from a national sample that quitting cigarette smoking predicts improved recovery from other substance use disorders,” said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “It underscores the importance of addressing different addictions together, rather than in isolation.”
The study tracked 2,652 adults with a history of substance use disorder over four years. Researchers found that those who changed their smoking status from “current” to “former” had a 42% greater chance of being in recovery from their non-tobacco addiction.
Although the health benefits of quitting smoking are well established, smoking cessation is not often a central focus of addiction treatment programs.
“This finding bolsters support for including smoking cessation as part of addiction treatment,” said Dr. Wilson Compton, NIDA’s deputy director and senior author of the study.
While the results strongly suggest quitting smoking improves recovery outcomes, scientists note more research is needed to establish a direct causal link and determine the best methods to support smoking cessation for people in treatment.
The PATH Study is ongoing, with funding from NIH and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
For support with mental health or substance use, help is available by calling or texting 988, or visiting 988lifeline.org. Treatment resources are also available at FindTreatment.gov or by calling 800-662-HELP (4357).
