Aim. The aim of this paper is to explain the relationship between smoking and mental health, in addition to reviewing the current evidence-based methods of supported smoking cessation for mentally ill patients.
Review of the literature. A combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and smoking cessation medication are the methods most commonly used to help patients quit smoking. The most eftective smoking cessation medication is combination nicotine replacement therapy, consisting of a nicotine patch and a faster-acting agent. The most effective fast-acting agents for the mentally ill are the nicotine nasal spray and the mouth spray. Non-nicotine medication, such as varenicline and bupropion, can also be used by patients with mental health issues, however, this type of therapy requires close momtoring. The mentally ill might require longer treatment regimes, higher doses of nicotine replacement therapy and higher intensity cognitive behavioral therapy. It is also important to consider the way smoking affects the metabolism of certain psychotropic drugs, calling for dose reduction after smoking cessation.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is an important part of supported smoktng cessation. The most appropriate delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy consists of proper planning and addressing each patients’ individual needs, simultaneously paying attention to certain aspects of the therapy for the mentally illregular monitoring of the patients’ mental health status, the higher intensity of the sessions and motivational support, in addition to taking into account the cognitive deficits and difficulty concentrating that the mentally ill patient might face.
Conclusion. The most effective method of supported smoking cessation consists of a combination of smoking cessation medication and cognitive behavioral therapy.
