Towards a broader view of recovery

It is estimated that tobacco use accounts for 25% of the total economic cost of illness in America. Chemically dependent patients have a smoking rate that ranges from 80% to 95% in different studies, almost triple the national average. Despite these staggering statistics, only a handful of chemical dependency treatment programs treat nicotine as an addictive drug and actively encourage their patients to quit. Denial by treatment staff and fears in the Recovery community that Recovery would be jeopardized by quitting are two factors contributing to the reluctance to develop smoke-free programs and treat nicotine dependence. The fear that patients would refuse admission to a facility that prohibits smoking and resistance from staff who smoke appear to be the major barriers to adopting a smoke-free policy. The time has come to face the burdensome costs of tobacco use and to address nicotine dependence in chemical dependents. It is time to develop a broader view of Recovery.