Recovery in any form can be challenging, but smoking is often one of the most difficult substances for people to quit. Due to nicotine, the addictive substance found in tobacco products, giving up smoking is notoriously tough. Nicotine changes the way a person’s brain works and creates a strong dependency that takes time, effort, and support to reverse.

Because tobacco addiction is one of the most challenging habits to break, quitting smoking can feel harder than overcoming many other substance use challenges. As part of its integrated care model, Zepf Center is proud to offer tobacco and vaping cessation groups, support, and resources to help all clients overcome their nicotine dependency and improve their overall health.

“We believe it is vital to include Tobacco and Vaping Cessation programming in our continuum of care,” said Zepf Center CEO Deb Flores. “Smoking may seem insignificant when someone is facing greater challenges, but the negative impact it can have on their health is very concerning.”

Before Mike* enrolled in Tobacco Cessation services at Zepf Center, he had a mixed history with tobacco products. Growing up, he was exposed to cigarettes via his grandparents who smoked day and night. He grew to resent their habit, but things changed when he got older and began attending college. 

“Cigarettes were popular in bars [in the late 80s]—everybody who drank beer also smoked, so I picked up the habit as a social one,” Mike said. “I smoked solidly for twenty years after that, usually a pack a day.”

Unfortunately, Mike’s story is a common one, but many may wonder what makes smoking so addictive. Nicotine targets specific areas in the brain called receptors, and when someone smokes, nicotine triggers these receptors, releasing dopamine and making the smoker temporarily feel good. Over time, the brain becomes dependent on nicotine to feel that way. The more someone smokes, the more receptors their brain builds, making it harder to quit. Some people find it particularly difficult because their brains produce more of these receptors than others, leading to a stronger addiction.

“Many clients view tobacco use and vaping as something to think about once their ‘main addiction’ is dealt with, but by not addressing these issues together, they undermine their long-term sobriety,” said Zepf Center Health & Wellness Manager and Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Aaron Wilburn. “We are also hearing from many clients that vaping is even harder to quit than tobacco products due to added flavorings and ease of use.”

In cities like Toledo, Ohio, the smoking rate is especially high. Around 27% of adults in Toledo smoke, compared to a national average of under 16%. This statistic is especially concerning as smoking is responsible for over 480,000 deaths each year in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), smoking claims more lives than HIV, illegal drugs, alcohol, motor vehicle accidents, and firearm-related incidents combined.

“I quit because of the cost—nearly $2,000 a year—and the toll it was taking on my health,” said Mike. “I was tired of acting cool and tough with a cigarette in my mouth all the time. Enough was enough.”

In addition to the negative health effects of smoking, there may also be financial, social, and mental consequences for those who smoke to deal with. Along those lines, experts from the American Lung Association have identified three key components to smoking addiction—physical, social, and mental—that must all be addressed for someone to quit successfully.  

As people decide to quit smoking and seek treatment, they must look at all three components to have the best chance of success. Addressing only one of these sections often leads to relapse. For example, taking nicotine replacement products like patches or gum may help with the physical cravings, but without also addressing the social and emotional aspects of smoking, long-term success can be difficult to maintain.

“I used a variety of techniques all at once to quit effectively,” said Mike. “I told all my friends I was about to quit and held myself accountable to them, I took Aaron’s [Tobacco Cessation] class, and I took up fitness and meditation.”

As Mike experienced in his recovery journey, Zepf Center’s Tobacco/Vaping Cessation program aims to address all three areas of smoking addiction to provide consistent, long-term success for clients. Through a variety of techniques, groups, and support systems, clients can create a custom treatment plan to manage and quit smoking or vaping.

“Having stopped [smoking] for over four years was a great victory for me,” said Mike. “I think accountability and transparency are important when it comes to making a legitimate change.”

For those looking to quit vaping and using tobacco products, customizable, clinically proven treatment options are available. At Zepf Center, the Tobacco/Vaping Cessation group meets weekly to explore the physical, social, and mental aspects of addiction, creating personalized plans for participants. Current Zepf Center clients can simply ask their Zepf Center provider for a referral. For non-Zepf Center clients, services like the Ohio Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) offer phone-based counseling, making it even easier to access treatment and support.

Quitting smoking is a life-changing decision, and it’s never too late to start. By addressing all components of the addiction and seeking support, long-term recovery is possible. For more information about Zepf Center’s Tobacco/Vaping Cessation Services, visit https://www.zepfcenter.org/tobacco-vaping-cessation-services/.

*names have been changed to protect client confidentiality