One of the most common questions for those thinking about rehab is: can you smoke in rehab?
Smoking policies in rehab centers are often influenced by their overall philosophy and approach to addiction recovery. Some rehabs believe smoking makes it harder to recover from drug addiction. They may adopt a no-smoking policy to promote a healthier lifestyle and support clients in addressing all dependencies, including nicotine. These centers often provide support for clients who wish to quit smoking, offering counseling, nicotine replacement therapies, and other resources.
On the other hand, facilities like Avenues Recovery permit smoking because they feel that allowing this habit minimizes additional stress for clients, giving them space to focus primarily on their substance addiction recovery. These facilities may also provide designated smoking areas and allow supervised smoke breaks, believing this flexibility can make the transition into recovery smoother for some individuals. Ultimately, whether or not you can smoke in rehab depends on the facility’s policies, which makes it a good idea to research and choose a rehab that aligns with your personal needs and recovery goals.
Rehabs That Allow Smoking
Rehab centers that allow smoking provide a more flexible approach to addiction recovery, allowing individuals to continue smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products during their stay. Some facilities have designated smoking areas or outdoor spaces where smoking is permitted while still emphasizing harm reduction and overall health.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect in rehabs that allow smoking:
- Designated Smoking Areas: These rehabs often have outdoor spaces specifically for smoking, helping maintain the balance between health standards and patient comfort.
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): Some smoking-permissive rehabs encourage using nicotine patches, gum, or other substitutes. They offer counseling on quitting smoking for clients that are interested, but generally do not require it.
- Gradual Approach: For individuals not ready to quit smoking, many rehabs offer gradual reduction programs that address tobacco use later in recovery.
- State Regulations: Smoking policies vary by state, so some rehabs may have stricter guidelines about where and how smoking is allowed.
- Focus on Primary Addiction: For people recovering from a substance addiction, especially those with long histories or severe cases, tackling one addiction at a time can prevent the added stress of quitting nicotine, a separate addictive substance.
If smoking is important to you, it’s wise to check the smoking policy of the facility you are interested in, as many facilities emphasize a smoke-free environment to promote overall wellness.
Why Some Rehabs Ban Smoking
Some rehabs choose to ban smoking as part of their commitment to overall health, both for the clients and the staff. While allowing smoking might seem less restrictive for clients, many rehabilitation centers believe that creating a fully smoke-free environment promotes a healthier, more comprehensive recovery. Here’s why some rehabs enforce no-smoking policies:
- Health and Wellness Focus:. Banning smoking is part of promoting a holistic approach to health, aligning with the rehab’s goal of reducing harmful habits.
- Reducing Triggers and Cravings: Some treatment programs recognize that tobacco use can serve as a trigger for other substance cravings, especially if clients previously smoked while using other substances. By removing smoking, they aim to eliminate potential cues associated with past addictive behaviors.
- Behavioral Consistency: Recovery is often about building new habits and routines that don’t include addictive substances. In a smoke-free rehab, clients are encouraged to develop coping mechanisms that don’t rely on any substances, which can lead to long-term sobriety.
- Workplace Health and Safety: Smoke-free facilities provide a safer environment for staff and clients who are sensitive to or wish to avoid secondhand smoke.
- Regulatory Standards: Some state or federal regulations require healthcare facilities to maintain smoke-free environments, particularly in government-funded rehabs or facilities associated with hospitals.
- Mental Health and Mood Stability: Nicotine withdrawal can cause mood swings, anxiety, and restlessness, which can be challenging in a rehab setting. Some facilities choose to go smoke-free to avoid these potential complications, focusing instead on other coping strategies for stress and anxiety.
While quitting smoking during addiction treatment may initially add stress, some rehabs provide nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and counseling to support clients who want to quit smoking. This approach can help clients address all aspects of their health and addiction simultaneously, creating a fresh start in multiple ways.
Smoking in Rehab: Pros and Cons
Pros of Smoking in Rehab:
- Reduces Stress: For smokers, nicotine can offer a sense of relief, reducing stress levels during what can be an intense and challenging recovery journey.
- Focuses on Primary Addiction: Allowing smoking may help clients avoid the additional pressure of quitting nicotine while they work on overcoming their primary addiction.
Cons of Smoking in Rehab:
- Health Risks: Smoking poses significant health risks, and quitting could lead to better physical health outcomes.
- Addiction Transfer: There is a risk of replacing one addiction with another, particularly if a person becomes more dependent on nicotine during rehab.
- Interference with Recovery Goals: Some professionals argue that to achieve a truly clean and healthy lifestyle, all substances, including nicotine, should be eliminated.
How to Get Cigarettes While at Rehab
In facilities that allow smoking, cigarettes are often brought in by the client or provided by family members during approved visitation. Some facilities may have a small store where clients can purchase cigarettes, while others may allow clients to arrange for a tobacco delivery or purchase as part of their personal expenses. Before going to rehab, it’s best to ask the facility about policies for bringing cigarettes or buying them on-site. If a facility allows cigarettes, they will often require that they come in a closed box so nothing illegal gets smuggled into the facility.
Quitting Smoking While at Rehab
Quitting smoking while you’re in rehab can boost your overall recovery. Dropping nicotine at the same time helps your body heal faster, clears your mind, and can reduce cravings, giving you a stronger start in recovery.
Many rehab centers have support groups established for smoking cessation, so you’ll have the chance to meet others who get exactly what you’re going through. You can lean on each other, offer encouragement, and keep each other accountable. These connections make the quitting process feel less lonely and can give you that extra push to stick with it, knowing you’re not doing it alone.
Rehab also often integrates mindfulness practices to reduce stress. Some common mindfulness activities to handle cravings and stress are:
- Meditation
- Deep breathing
- Guided imagery
Exercise can be especially helpful since it:
- Releases endorphins
- Reduces stress
- Provides a healthy distraction from smoking
Keeping healthy snacks on hand and staying hydrated can help curb oral fixation cravings and maintain your energy levels.
Avenues Recovery Smoking in Rehab Policy
Avenues Recovery is one of the rehab facilities that permit smoking, providing designated smoking areas for clients. By allowing smoking, Avenues Recovery aims to support clients’ immediate needs and give them space to focus on overcoming their primary addiction first, before potentially addressing nicotine dependency.
Avenues Recovery recognizes the challenges of quitting more than one substance at a time. By allowing smoking, the facility accommodates clients who may need nicotine as a way to alleviate stress and focus on their primary recovery goals. This policy reflects a practical approach to addiction treatment, recognizing that requiring clients to quit smoking may keep some people from seeking help altogether or could add unnecessary stress during a challenging period.
If you or a loved one would like to continue to smoke while in rehab, reach out to us at Avenues Recovery so we can guide you on your path to recovery. We personalize our treatment plans using a wide array of therapy modalities, to help every individual recover in the way best suited for them. Contact us today to begin your recovery in a supportive, professional and non-judgmental environment.