DrugRehab.com provides information regarding illicit and prescription drug
addiction, the various populations at risk for the disease, current statistics and trends, and
psychological disorders that often accompany addiction. You will also find information on spotting
the signs and symptoms of substance use and hotlines for immediate assistance.
Treatment for addiction takes many forms and depends on the needs of the individual.
In accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine, we offer information on
outcome-oriented treatment that adheres to an established continuum of care. In this section, you
will find information and resources related to evidence-based treatment models, counseling and
therapy and payment and insurance options.
Treatment for addiction takes many forms and depends on the needs of the
individual. In accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine, we offer
information on outcome-oriented treatment that adheres to an established continuum of
care. In this section, you will find information and resources related to evidence-based
treatment models, counseling and therapy and payment and insurance options.
The recovery process doesn't end after 90 days of treatment. The transition back to
life outside of rehab is fraught with the potential for relapse. Aftercare resources such as
12-step groups, sober living homes and support for family and friends promote a life rich with
rewarding relationships and meaning.
Our community offers unique perspectives on lifelong recovery and substance use
prevention, empowering others through stories of strength and courage. From people in active
recovery to advocates who have lost loved ones to the devastating disease of addiction, our
community understands the struggle and provides guidance born of personal experience.
Inhaling cigarette smoke can cause long-term damage to human DNA, according to a new study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics.
“Our study has found compelling evidence that smoking has a long-lasting impact on our molecular machinery, an impact that can last more than 30 years,” Dr. Roby Joehanes, lead author of the study and instructor at Harvard Medical School and the Hebrew SeniorLife Institute for Aging Research, said in a press release.
The study assessed more than 15,900 blood samples spanning 16 previous studies. The samples were collected from 2,433 current smokers, 6,518 former smokers and 6,956 people who have never smoked.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School and other institutions found evidence of a lasting imprint on DNA in tobacco users that contributes to a host of diseases, such as lung cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disorders. These genetic changes, a process called DNA methylation, could last decades after cessation.
However, it’s not all bad news for those looking to stop smoking. Joehanes says that once a person ends this habit, the body attempts to rid itself of the effects of tobacco use. Most of the DNA methylation signals return to normal levels after five years.
Cigarette smoking kills about one in five Americans each year, adding up to more than 480,000 deaths annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A smoker’s life expectancy is 10 years shorter than that of a nonsmoker.
Cigarette Smoking Trends
Decades ago, cigarette smoking was not only commonplace, it was endorsed by medical professionals. Vintage advertising campaigns show photographs of doctors and dentists smoking and praising the use of cigarettes.
Today, the health consequences of smoking are widely discussed. However, many demographics still smoke at high rates.
About 40 million American adults aged 18 years or older in 2014 were smokers, according to the CDC. The figure represents nearly 17 percent of the demographic.
According to the CDC, nearly 19 percent of men were current smokers in 2014, compared to nearly 15 percent of women. Furthermore, adults aged 25–44 had the highest rates of cigarette smoking among all age groups.
Non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska Natives and non-Hispanic multiple race individuals had the highest rates of smoking among all racial groups, per the CDC. Non-Hispanic Asians had the lowest rates.
Household income also affects smoking rates, according to the CDC. More than 26 percent of adults who live below the poverty line were cigarette smokers in 2014, compared to more than 15 percent of adults who live at or above the poverty line.
Smoking-Related Deaths Are Preventable
More than 16 million people live with a smoking-related disease, according to the CDC. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death.
The American Lung Association (ALA) states that cessation at any age can increase a person’s lifespan and their quality of life. Furthermore, enlisting support from family and friends could prove beneficial to those who choose to quit smoking, according to the organization.
Numerous benefits exist for individuals who quit smoking. According to the ALA, some benefits occur just minutes after cessation:
Twenty minutes later, the heart rate drops to a normal level.
Twelve hours later, the body’s carbon monoxide level drops to normal.
Two to three weeks later, the risk for heart attack drops and lung function improves.
One to nine months later, coughing decreases and breathing patterns stabilize.
A year later, the risk of coronary heart disease drops significantly. Fifteen years later, the risk of this disease is equal to that of a nonsmoker.
Smoking can result in numerous life-threatening diseases, so it is unsurprising that the activity also has epigenetic effects, according to Dr. Norman Edelman, senior scientific advisor for the ALA.. He says the main takeaway of the study is that smoking has a widespread impact on a person’s genes.
“Most of it is reversible, but some is not,” Edelman told CBS News. “So if you smoke, you’re going to alter your genetic makeup in a way that’s not totally reversible.”
Medical Disclaimer: DrugRehab.com aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
Share
View Sources
American Lung Association. (n.d.). Benefits of Quitting.
American Lung Association. (n.d.). Five Secrets for Quitting Smoking.
CBS News. (n.d.). Blowing smoke: Vintage ads of doctors endorsing tobacco.
Calls will be answered by a qualified admissions representative with Advanced Recovery Systems (ARS), the owners of DrugRehab.com. We look forward to helping you!
Phone calls to treatment center listings not associated with ARS will go directly to those centers. DrugRehab.com and ARS are not responsible for those calls.
