Methods of fighting addiction do not affect mental health
British scientists conducted a survey to study how mental health is linked to the methods people use to quit smoking. The study found that smoking cessation interventions are effective regardless of mental health history.
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While the number of adults smoking cigarettes has fallen worldwide, people with mental disorders are more likely to smoke and do so more intensely. Because of these differences in tobacco use, the researchers suggested that the effectiveness of smoking cessation aids may vary among people with mental disorders.
However, in their findings, they report that smoking cessation techniques may not In fact, they are equally effective for people with and without a history of mental disorders.
Researchers surveyed more than 5 thousand people who smoked regularly and were trying to quit smoking. About 45 percent of these participants reported that they had been diagnosed with a mental disorder. Consistent with previous research, participants with mental disorders reported higher levels of cigarette dependence.
The methods participants used in their attempts to quit smoking varied widely. The most common smoking cessation aids were non-combustible nicotine products.
The next option was other over-the-counter nicotine replacements such as lozenges and patches. Less than 5 percent of participants reported using other means, such as prescription drugs or behavioral interventions.
People with mental disorders were more likely than those without to choose vaping products, nicotine replacement therapy, prescription and self-help sites. However, researchers have found that a person's mental health status does not affect the effectiveness of smoking cessation products.
The researchers report that among all participants, the most effective treatments were vaping, a drug that interacts with nicotinic receptors in the brain, and heated tobacco products.
Heated tobacco products are a new type of smoking cessation product that heats tobacco leaves without burning them, and the first study to look at their effectiveness in real-world conditions. The researchers found no clear benefit from using any other smoking cessation products.
The results of this study may help smokers and health care providers make informed decisions when choosing smoking cessation methods.
The researchers note that they “found no evidence that any smoking cessation method was more or less effective for people with a history of mental disorders. Our results should reassure people with mental disorders who want to quit smoking that their condition should not influence their choice of smoking cessation products.”