Tobacco smoking is prevalent among drug and alcohol users and contributes significantly to illness and death. Many people may recover from their drug or alcohol dependence only to later die of their continued and untreated tobacco dependence. Public Health England (PHE) is supporting improvements in smoking cessation (or reduction for those who cannot stop) in drug and alcohol treatment services. Working with Essex Wellbeing Service (EWS) https://essexwellbeingservice.co.uk/support/stop-smoking/ Open Road launched its smoking cessation service in December 2024.
This exciting new addition to treatment, enables people to reduce and stop their smoking and benefit from all the health and money saving benefits in doing so.
Support includes psychosocial and motivational techniques and a personal stop smoking plan. Nicotine Vapes and other Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is available to people that need extra support. NRT is provided in partnership with EWS.
If you are an Open Road employee or volunteer the same support is available to you, please talk to Elliot our Stop Smoking Lead worker on 07553385573 or elliot.cornish@openroad.org.uk you don’t have to work in Chelmsford to receive advice and support.
Elliot has NCSCT (National Centre for Smoking Cessation & Training) qualifications and has a background in Cannabis Research.
Did you also know that quitting smoking can help you achieve other recovery goals and maintain reduction or abstinence. This summary of wider studies on the National Institute for Health & Care Research website, provides a useful overview and starting point for further reading https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/stop-smoking-services-can-work-for-people-in-treatment-or-recovery-from-substance-misuse-disorders/
It goes without saying that stopping smoking also has a huge range of other benefits. Not smoking is better for your physical health, mental health and better for your family and friends https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/why-quit-smoking/benefits-of-quitting-smoking/
Begin your new smoke free life with the help of Open Road today
