Groundbreaking research from Flinders University demonstrates that providing consistent support and access to various nicotine replacement therapies can help people in recovery achieve smoking cessation after rehab. The findings offer hope for addressing one of the most challenging aspects of substance use recovery.

Published in The Lancet Public Health, the first-of-its-kind trial compared vapes with combination nicotine replacement therapy (cNRT) including patches, gum, and lozenges in people leaving smoke-free drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities.

The Challenge of Smoking Cessation After Rehab

Professor Billie Bonevski, Dean (Research) and Director of Flinders Health and Medical Institute, explains the unique difficulties faced by this population. “Quitting smoking is never easy—but for people emerging from detox, it can be even harder,” she says.

The statistics underscore the magnitude of this challenge. People recovering from substance use are more than twice as likely to smoke as the general population and far more likely to suffer and die from tobacco-related illness. Tobacco smoking among people with substance use disorder represents a leading cause of health burden, with smoking prevalence at 84% compared to 31% in people without SUD.

People with substance use disorders also experience complex comorbidities, including respiratory ill-health associated with smoking and mental health challenges, making smoking cessation after rehab particularly difficult.

Comprehensive Trial Results

The study tracked more than 360 adults leaving detox facilities who received either a 12-week supply of vapes or a combination of nicotine gum, lozenge, inhalator and mouth spray. Both groups also received Quitline behavioural smoking-cessation counselling.

At nine-month follow-up, approximately 10% of people in both groups reported abstaining from smoking. This represents a notable achievement in a population where long-term quit rates are typically near zero, highlighting the potential for successful smoking cessation after rehab with appropriate support.

Building Effective Support Systems for Smoking Cessation After Rehab

Professor Bonevski emphasises that the research findings highlight the importance of comprehensive support rather than focusing on individual therapies. “This isn’t about one therapy outperforming another—it’s about building a system that gives people the best chance to succeed,” she notes.

The key lies in ensuring people in recovery have access to a range of proven tools, as all nicotine replacement options appear to help with smoking cessation after rehab. This approach requires integrating smoking cessation into addiction treatment, providing tailored support, and ensuring effective nicotine therapies remain readily available.

Treating Tobacco Dependence with Urgency

The research contributes to growing evidence that quitting smoking should be a key component of addiction recovery. “We need to treat tobacco dependence with the same urgency and support we give to other substances,” Professor Bonevski states.

This perspective represents a significant shift in addiction treatment approaches, recognising that comprehensive recovery must address all forms of substance dependence, including tobacco use that often persists after successful treatment for other substances.

The findings demonstrate that with appropriate support systems, successful smoking cessation after rehab is achievable, potentially saving lives and improving long-term health outcomes for people in recovery.

Professor Bonevski concludes: “Helping people in recovery quit smoking can save lives—and now we know there’s more than one way to do it.”

Source: News-flinders