Can You Smoke Cigarettes In Rehab?

Finding Rehabs that Allow Smoking

Now that you have decided to undergo drug rehab to help you address your substance or alcohol addiction, you may be wondering whether it is possible to smoke cigarettes or vape inside the rehab facility. This is a common question because so many places are non-smoking today, it makes sense that rehab might be, as well.

In the case of addiction treatment facilities, however, you’re likely to find that smoking and vaping are allowed, but that there are designated areas for these activities.

Can you Smoke Cigarettes During Drug Rehab?

Family members bringing cigarette packs to their loved ones in a rehab center is a common occurrence. This is because they believe that smoking will offset the stress that one experiences while trying to fight off their cravings for alcohol or drugs.

In the United States, there is no law that prohibits smoking in private rehabilitation centers. This is why smoking in rehab facilities is more common. The rules and guidelines approved by health organizations that prohibit smoking in rehab facilities will only be deemed effective in rehab centers that are publicly funded. On the other hand, rehab centers that are funded by private individuals are only bound to follow their very own regulations.

They are not required to follow what public health organizations have agreed. But, if federal and state guidelines dictate that the smoking ban must be implemented in all rehab centers, regardless of whether they’re private or public, private rehab centers have the duty to adhere to it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that there is still 15.1 percent of Americans that continue to smoke. Out of this percentage, 75.7 percent of them smoke each and every day.

Rehab Centers That Ban Smoking

Smoking cessation policies are so rare in many drug rehab facilities in the U.S. Survey shows that only one out of ten facilities claimed that they have a total smoking ban in all the grounds of their facility. And that means 90% allowed smoking within their facility.

Some rehab facilities allow indoor smoking not just to their staff but to their patients as well. While the other facilities allow only outdoor smoking. Generally, smoking is permissible near the clinic and other alternatives are also allowed such as eCigs and vaporizers.

Among drug rehab facilities and treatment centers, it is rare to hear about total smoking bans. One research discovered that only 1 in 10 rehab centers responded (that is equivalent to roughly 60 percent of all the clinics based in the United States) to the survey, and completely banned smoking in their facilities.

New York’s Experiment

Do rehabs allow smoking? Many rehab centers allow smoking. But you won’t find many in New York. In the U.S., New York was the first state to prohibit smoking in all addiction rehabilitation facilities. This regulation is aimed at encouraging addiction rehab facilities to create programs that help people recovering from addiction to also get rid of their smoking habit.

In the study, there was a decrease of 7% in client smoking. However, this also affected the levels of methadone usage or programs, and the smoking prohibitions were also negatively perceived.

The aim of this experiment was to curb the tendencies towards smoking of people who have addictions. This study also shows tobacco use, repeat addictions and deaths related to cancer are common in people with drug addictions.

The number of facilities offering counseling programs for people wanting to stop smoking varies in each state. For example, in Idaho, only 20.5 percent of all facilities provide smoking cessation counseling. But, in New York, 85 percent of their rehab facilities also provide counseling programs for individuals who want to quit smoking. Furthermore, out of 31 states, less than fifty percent of mental rehab facilities have smoke-free zones, while less than half of facilities offering rehabilitation for substance use disorder declared to have smoke-free campuses as well.

Smoking Prohibitions May Affect Recovery Negatively

Many people wrongfully believe that quitting smoking while recovering from drug and alcohol addiction is necessary. There are facilities that believe in dealing with one addiction at a time. They believe that quitting cigarettes simultaneous with quitting alcohol would only cause them too much stress that could harm their determination to actually dump the addiction habit for life.

A study conducted reveals that banning smoking and use of tobacco in treatment facilities leads to higher risks of a patient dropping out. A clinic in Ohio proved this by conducted a test. They implemented a full smoking ban, not only for the patients but also for the staff. The result, the success rate of the facility dropped from 70% to 42%.

This is a big percentage difference however there are also other factors that can be considered that may affect the drop-in success rate. Although the smoking bans are effective in improving the environment of the recovering individual, we must also take into account the effects of banning it in the success of the treatment.

We are told of the negative effects of smoking on our health and that it can lead to death and there’s no arguing about it. Most addicted individuals are also aware of these negative effects. This is also supported by scientific researches and evidence. Despite the facts, many are still allowing the use of cigarettes in rehab facilities because of the concept of eliminating addictive substances in the body one step at a time.

Smoking May Affect Recovery

Evidence from several studies conducted point to the fact that smoking damages the brain chemistry much like alcohol does. The damage caused by alcohol use disorder affects the frontal and parietal cortices of the brain. But, with sustained abstinence, this damage can be partially reversed.

Cigarette smoking and alcohol use disorder often go hand in hand. Experts found out that smoking cessation done simultaneously with quitting alcohol can increase one’s chances of being able to maintain their sobriety.

Findings from a study conducted in 2004 which were published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology revealed that quitting nicotine during recovery from other substance use disorder increased an individual’s chances of long-term abstinence for as much as 25 percent.

Reach Out To Us To Learn More

If you want to undergo rehab but worried that you will also have to cut smoking during the treatment, you may contact us to find a facility that will fit your needs. Achieve long-term recovery with our help, finding a rehab for you shouldn’t be an issue. If you find yourself asking more questions about addiction rehab when it comes to the cost of rehab, the success rate of addiction rehab, can you bring your cellphone to rehab or some of the most frequently asked questions about rehab we’re here to help!