Holistic Rehab for Smoking | iRely Recovery

What Is Nicotine?

Nicotine is a powerful, fast-acting chemical compound found naturally in tobacco plants.[1] It acts as a stimulant, meaning it speeds up messages between the brain and body, giving users a quick burst of energy, focus, or calm, depending on their state.

When inhaled through cigarettes or vapes, nicotine enters the bloodstream within seconds and reaches the brain almost immediately. There, it stimulates the release of dopamine and other neurotransmitters that regulate mood and emotion.

The stimulation and release of dopamine is what makes nicotine feel instantly rewarding, but it’s also what makes it incredibly addictive. While nicotine is often viewed as less dangerous than other substances, the dependency it creates is real and often underestimated.[2] Over time, the brain becomes dependent on those bursts of dopamine, making it harder to feel “normal” without a cigarette or vape.

Many people who struggle with addiction or mental health challenges smoke as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, or cravings from other substances. It’s legal, easily accessible, and socially tolerated, so it often goes unnoticed. But long-term nicotine use can have serious effects: it raises heart rate and blood pressure, disrupts sleep, and can worsen symptoms of anxiety. And because it’s so often tied to routine or emotional relief, quitting isn’t just about breaking a habit — it means learning how to deal with life’s stressors in a healthier way.

Nicotine Addiction and Abuse

Nicotine addiction is one of the most common — and underestimated — forms of substance dependence.[3] Whether through traditional cigarettes, vapes, or chewing tobacco, nicotine quickly creates a cycle of craving, use, and withdrawal that can be incredibly hard to break. People often start smoking to relieve stress or fit in socially, but over time, it becomes less of a choice and more of a need.

As tolerance builds, the brain and body adapt to expect regular nicotine intake just to function normally.[4] This is what makes quitting so difficult, even when someone genuinely wants to stop using it. For those also navigating mental health challenges or other substance use, nicotine use can become deeply ingrained in daily routines and emotional coping. At iRely, we understand how layered nicotine addiction can be, and we treat it with the same attention and respect as any other substance — because healing from it is just as important.

How Common is Smoking Cigarettes?

Smoking cigarettes is still incredibly common. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. As of 2022, nearly 1 in 5 adults (about 49.2 million people) in the US reported current tobacco product use, including smoking cigarettes and vaping.[5]

For many, especially those struggling with mental health conditions, smoking is tied to cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and deep-seated nicotine dependence. At iRely Recovery, we understand how closely tobacco addiction connects with substance use disorders, stress management, and co-occurring challenges like alcohol addiction, opioid use, or depression.

Our rehab programs offer behavioral therapy, CBT, and support groups in a smoke-free, recovery-focused environment in sunny southern California. If you or a loved one is ready to quit smoking and reclaim your health, our treatment center is here to walk that path with you.

Treatment Modalities For Nicotine and Smoking

Overcoming nicotine addiction takes support, strategy, and evidence-based care. At iRely, we understand that smoking cigarettes or using tobacco often runs deeper than just habit. That’s why our treatment approach blends clinical expertise with whole-person healing:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Helps clients build psychological flexibility and reduce avoidance by connecting with their values and committing to healthy change.
• Adventure Therapy: Engages clients in outdoor or experiential challenges to build resilience, trust, and personal growth.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on identifying and changing the thought patterns and behaviors that drive nicotine use.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Offers tools for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and managing urges tied to smoking.
• Experiential Therapy: Uses creative or action-based methods (like art, movement, or role-play) to process emotions linked to nicotine dependence.
• Family Therapy: Addresses the impact of tobacco use on loved ones and strengthens communication and support systems.
• Group Therapy: Offers a safe and supportive space to share struggles and progress with others who are on a similar path.
• Individual Therapy: Offers personalized sessions focused on the unique emotional, mental, and behavioral aspects of nicotine addiction.
• Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Teaches awareness and presence to manage cravings and reduce reactive smoking behaviors.
• Motivational Interviewing: Builds internal motivation for change by exploring ambivalence in a nonjudgmental setting.
• Recovery-Oriented Treatment: Encourages long-term healing by focusing on strengths, personal goals, and community-based recovery.
• Somatic Experiencing Therapy: Supports nervous system regulation by addressing the physical effects of stress and trauma stored in the body.
• Trauma-Informed Care: Creates a safe, empowering environment for clients with past trauma that may contribute to tobacco use.