Second-Hand Smoke: It Hurts More Than Just the Smoker

When we are in active addiction, we tend to not think about, let alone worry about, others in our lives. This does not mean we do not care about them, nor that we do not love them. It simply equates to the fact that the drug or alcohol that we are addicted to becomes our main focus; the hunt for it, hiding our use, trying not to be sick by obtaining more. Everything else moves to second place. Our main thought becomes more, more, more.

Any addiction is difficult to quit without a proper support system and trained professionals. Tobacco products are said to be at the top of that list. The legality of cigarettes, blunt wraps, and chewing tobacco, if you are the right age, makes the battle even more difficult.

What Exactly is Second-Hand Smoke and Where Does It Come From?

What is second–hand smoke? It is the smoke that is exhaled by the smoker. It comes from any tobacco invention that is burnt: pipes, cigars, cigarettes, or blunt wraps. Cotinine is often found in the saliva, urine, or blood of non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke. Thankfully, over the years there has been a decrease in Cotinine when tested in individuals.

Why is second-hand smoke dangerous? The smoke from tobacco products contains 7,000 chemicals. Hundreds of these are toxic, and approximately 70 of them are correlated with cancer.

Even one second of contact with someone else’s smoke can be harmful. There is not a safe limit regarding second-hand smoke exposure. A shocking number of individuals have passed away due to health difficulties caused by this: 2,500,000 people since 1964.

Children and adults do not always experience the same side effects of second-hand tobacco smoke. Some issues for children include:

• Infections of the ear
• Asthma attacks are of increased frequency and severity
• Breathing issues, such as accompanying coughing, sneezing, or shortness of breath
• Increased risk for bronchitis, pneumonia, and sudden infant death syndrome

Correlated difficulties that have been seen in adults are:

• Stroke
• Cancer of the lungs
• And heart complications
  • Tobacco smoke affects both the heart and the blood vessels.

Between 2005-2009 7,300 American adults passed away annually from lung cancer directly related to second-hand smoke. 34,000 annual deaths of those who did not smoke were found to be caused by heart disease interrelated with second–hand smoke during these same years.

Discovery Place of Burns, Tennessee

Individuals who have been diagnosed with addictions and other mental health diagnosis have a higher correlation of nicotine dependence. Discovery Place, located in Burns, Tennessee, offers trained professionals who can help guide you in achieving a lifestyle free of opioids, cannabis, alcohol, and other addictive substances. We have small program sizes to allow for personal direction, compassion, fellowship, and the care necessary for recovery. Discovery Place is an alternative recovery program that can be found located upon 17 acres of breath-taking farmland. We offer various programs, including a 24-bed residential program that lasts 30 days. Don’t hesitate another moment. Call us today at 1-800-725-0922.