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Should You Vape or Smoke in Recovery?

The short answer? Probably not. The longer answer is a bit more complex. When you’re managing alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD), the ultimate goal is to regain control over your life, heal your body and mind, and rebuild your health. During this process, abstinence from alcohol and drugs is often essential. While vaping or smoking might seem like less harmful alternatives to substances, nicotine and the chemicals in tobacco and e-cigarettes interfere with the brain’s recovery, hinder healing, and lead to long-term health issues. 

How Nicotine Affects Your Brain

Nicotine, the primary addictive substance in tobacco and vaping products, is a stimulant that affects the brain’s reward system. When consumed, it enters the bloodstream quickly and triggers the release of dopamine—a neurotransmitter linked to feelings of pleasure and reward. This quick hit of dopamine is part of what makes nicotine so addictive, causing people to crave it to replicate that feeling.

When you’re recovering from AUD or SUD, the brain is in a delicate state of repair. Long-term substance abuse alters its reward system and impairs its ability to regulate emotions, impulses, and rewards. Early recovery, including detoxification, aims to help your brain heal by allowing it to regain its ability to function normally. However, continuing to use nicotine during this critical phase interferes with this process.

Nicotine also disrupts neuroplasticity, which is how your brain forms new neural connections. Smoking or vaping delays the brain’s recovery and slows cognitive healing, making it harder to manage cravings, resist triggers, and avoid relapse. 

The National Institute on Drug Abuse also indicates that “people who smoke with a mental health disorder tend to smoke more…than those in the general population,” putting them more at risk for additional health complications such as greater symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The Hidden Dangers of Vaping 

While vaping has often been marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, the truth is more complicated. E-cigarettes may not contain tobacco, but they still deliver nicotine and present the concerns as traditional smoking—interfering with the brain’s recovery process and reinforcing addictive behaviors.

Additionally, the American Lung Association reports that many e-cigarette liquids are mixed with substances like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, and diacetyl, which can cause severe lung irritation, respiratory issues, and other long-term health problems. The Cleveland Clinic points to another risk of vaping chemicals—the development of bronchiolitis obliterans or “popcorn lung”, which doesn’t have a cure and poses dire complications. So regularly ingesting these chemicals might undermine your intention to improve overall health and wellness.

Tips For Quitting in Recovery

If you intend to regain control over compulsive behavior and addictive substances, choosing not to vape or smoke is likely a wise decision. Understandably, if you’ve had these habits for some time, it might be challenging to stop. Here are some tips that may help: 

  • Set realistic goals. Quitting smoking or vaping is a process. Set small, achievable goals and celebrate successes along the way.
  • Explore nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Instead of stopping cold turkey, try NRT options such as patches, gum, or lozenges to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
  • Practice stress management. Use healthier coping techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, or exercise to manage stress instead of turning to nicotine products.
  • Seek support. Just like addiction recovery, your success in quitting could be bolstered by a strong support system. Consider joining Nicotine Anonymous or working with a therapist to address the psychological aspects of nicotine addiction.

Other resources that may be beneficial include: 

Choose Health With Help From Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire 

Our primary mission at Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire is to deliver high-quality, evidence-based treatment. We have three locations to serve you: 

  • The Antrim House in Antrim, a detoxification and residential treatment facility for men and women.
  • Recovery Mountain in Tilton, a residence for Veterans and first responders as part of outpatient programming.
  • The Lakes Addiction Treatment Center in Laconia, which offers inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient rehabilitation programs for men and women.

When you’re committed to AUD or SUD recovery, quitting smoking and vaping is another vital step in achieving overall wellness. Our board-certified medical professionals can help you address this as part of your overall continuum of care rehabilitation plan. Talk to a member of our admissions team to learn more.