Adults addicted to alcohol or other drugs who also quit smoking are significantly more likely to achieve sustained recovery from their substance use disorder, according to analysis by scientists at the National Institutes of Health based on data from a large U.S. study.
Researchers analyzed data from 2,652 people 18 and older who had a history of substance use disorder and experienced a change in recovery status over the next four years using the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. A change in smoking status from current to former use of cigarettes was associated with 42% greater odds of the individual being in recovery from their non-tobacco substance use disorder. Participants in the PATH Study are asked annually about their smoking status and other substance use.
According to Nora Volkow, M.D., director of NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse, which partly funds the study: “We now have strong evidence from a national sample that quitting cigarette smoking predicts improved recovery from other substance use disorders. It underscores the importance of addressing different addictions together, rather than in isolation.”
People with addiction to alcohol or other substances have higher likelihood of being addicted to nicotine as well. Previous research suggested an association between smoking cessation and improved outcomes from other substance use disorders. However, most prior studies used data from treatment centers focusing on single substance addictions or smoking cessation trials, and those using nationally representative samples could not adequately test for the association. This new finding is generalizable to millions of adults with substance use disorder.
Although the analysis was longitudinal and strongly suggestive that quitting smoking plays a role in improved recovery outcomes, further research will be needed to definitively establish causation. Additional research is also needed on the best ways to support smoking cessation among people in treatment or recovery for substance use disorders. According to Wilson Compton, M.D., deputy director of NIDA: “Although the health benefits of quitting smoking are well-known, smoking cessation has not been seen as a high priority in drug addiction treatment programs. This finding bolsters support for including smoking cessation as part of addiction treatment.”
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2025/08/quitting-smoking-is-associated-with-recovery-from-other-addictions