I have been advocating for addressing nicotine concurrently with other chemical addictions since I began in addiction recovery counseling in 2008. When I was able to start a program myself, smoke-free recovery was one of the criteria I insisted on. It was NOT a popular opinion, even with recovery ministry peers. So, in 2016 I put out this social media query:
“Alright, ladies…….those of you who are former students of mine…weigh in on this issue of smoking and substance abuse. How do/did you feel about yourself when you quit smoking for good or when you weren’t smoking during recovery? Did quitting give you a sense of empowerment to do other difficult things, including resist the temptation to use drugs or alcohol again? Did it help you move on beyond the substance abuse subculture to healthier, new people, places and things? Did it improve your relationships with others (non-smokers)? Did starting new healthier lifestyle habits and relationships help you stay nicotine free?”
Here are some of the responses:
“I believe it is individual… I actually quit once during recovery and started back during a family crisis… I quit about 6 months later… Yes i do feel better and yes i feel more accepted in the Christian community because I don’t smoke… But ultimately I had to do it for me and my kids… It really bothered them because it reminded them of the past and how we used to live… I have been smoke free for over 5 yrs and it was one of the best decisions I ever made… As far as doing it as soon as I got in recovery… Not sure I would have been able to… Or even had a desire to… As my mind began to change i wanted to change… So glad I did….”
“I tried to smoke to “fit in” which was an issue with codependency and self esteem. So once I began to build my relationship with Christ, I no longer felt the “need” to please others as I did the relationship with Him. I did however quit and the the flood gates of blessings and love opened allowing me to grow in ways that I could have never imagined. As well as strenthening the good relationships and let go of the toxic ones. That did not boast well, as I had a major change of direction that I chose to follow. I began taking care of my whole self, not just spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. But my physical self. If our bodies are temples we should maintain that temple! Which means not poisoning it. It really helped me as a whole and still to this day I know that my life would not have been the same if I would have continued smoking.”
“I have been smoke free since 2013. I tried quitting a few times during recovery but felt like it was the last thing that was mine and i didnt want to give it up but one day i just told God to take it from me, I was ready. I never picked it up again. Yes I feel wonderful and I also did it for myself and my children. I look at it as that last final connection to drink or drug because it was always a gateway. My relationships are better and I have also let go of the bad ones. I agree that our bodies are temples so now that Im living in full recovery thats means recovery from everything toxic.”
Titus 2 is a smoke-free program. It does take a strong determination to change one’s lifestyle to change one’s life direction and goals. Addiction industry studies have shown that quitting smoking concurrently with other chemical addictions significantly reduces the risk of relapse to other substances.
Is one serious about a changed life? This willingness to quit smoking can be one indicator. Peer Support Specialists promoting recovery should be non-smokers. too.
What is one’s response?
“Do you smoke?” “Are you willing to quit?”
There are 4 general areas of personal work in the Twelve Steps in relation to:
-peace with God
-peace within one’s self
-peace with others
-effective planning for continuing in recovery and preventing relapse
Within each of those endeavors there is the challenge of “ready willingness”, then of “persevering action”. It is not an easy process and many find multiples efforts necessary to learn the discipline necessary to succeed.
We pray for those coming to us to have the commitment and determination to move only forward, never backward.