3.6 What resources are available for quit smoking in schizophrenia?
Fortunately, there are specialized resources and programs designed to help people with schizophrenia quit smoking.
There are SEVERAL MEDICATIONS available (approved by the FDA/EMA) to support people in their journey to quit smoking. The primary goal of these medications is to help individuals cut back or completely stop their tobacco use.
NICOTINE REPLACEMENT (like patches, gum, and lozenges) offers a safer alternative by gradually reducing dependence on harmful tobacco products through substitution, making it an efficient tool in harm reduction efforts.
There’s also a newer treatment called DEEP TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION (TMS), which is approved to help people stop smoking for short periods.
While these treatments work for many people initially, studies show that MANY PEOPLE START SMOKING AGAIN WITHIN A YEAR. For those with serious mental health conditions, these treatments are often less effective, and many don’t respond to them.
How effective are “nicotine replacement drugs” and nicotine e-cigarettes in helping smokers quit?
A study conducted in northern Finland, involved participants aged 25 to 75 who smoked daily and wanted to quit. They were randomly assigned to different treatment groups, receiving either nicotine-containing e-cigarettes (ECs) with placebo tablets, a “nicotine replacement drug” with nicotine-free ECs, or placebo tablets with nicotine-free ECs.
All participants also received motivational support during a 12-week intervention.
The trial showed that both nicotine replacement drug and nicotine-containing e-cigarettes were effective in helping people quit smoking for up to six months.
E-cigarette and schizophrenia: what is important to know?
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) entered the market around 2006, offering a way to get nicotine without using traditional tobacco.
Since then, their popularity has soared, especially among young adults. A recent study found that 9.2% of university students had used e-cigarettes in the past year, and these devices have also been linked to mental health issues and impulsive behavior.
E-cigarette use is also significant among people with schizophrenia.
In one study, 7% of individuals with schizophrenia were current users, 37% had tried them in the past, and 24% of non-users were open to giving them a try.
Many users turned to e-cigarettes to help quit smoking traditional tobacco.
It’s important to note that traditional cigarette smoke, rather than nicotine itself, is thought to alter some enzymes, which affects the metabolism of some antipsychotic drugs.
Since e-cigarettes don’t produce the same smoke, the current data isn’t enough to recommend any medication dose adjustments for e-cigarette users with schizophrenia.
E-cigarettes can be the key to Pandora’s box!
Researchers looked into how e-cigarette use might affect the risk of developing addictions to other substances, like marijuana, alcohol, and prescription medications.
It was found that using e-cigarettes could make it easier for people to become more addicted to these other substances.
Breaking the habit: success in reducing and quitting smoking in schizophrenia patients is realistic
Individuals with mental disorders who receive treatment are more likely to reduce their tobacco use compared to those without treatment.
THERE IS HOPE!
Key takeaways for caregivers
• People with schizophrenia smoke at much higher rates due to shared genetic and brain chemistry factors, and as a way to cope with symptoms like stress and cognitive difficulties.
• Smoking can worsen schizophrenia symptoms, increase health risks and interfere with medications. Quitting can improve mental clarity and physical wellbeing but may require medication adjustment.
• Nicotine may feel helpful short-term but creates a cycle of dependence that harms long-term recovery.
• Quitting smoking is harder for those with schizophrenia, but it is possible. Personalized support, understanding withdrawal challenges and working closely with healthcare providers are key.
• Caregivers can play a crucial role by encouraging smoke-free goals, monitoring medical changes and reducing stigma around tobacco addiction.
