Behavioral Health Conditions and Their Affect on Smoking

Behavioral health conditions and their affect on smoking

Did you know? 

It is estimated that 35% of cigarette smokers have a behavioral health disorder and individuals with a behavioral health disorder are 2-3 times more likely to smoke cigarettes compared to the general population. Smoking is associated with worse symptoms among people with behavioral health conditions, including greater depressive symptoms, greater likelihood of psychiatric hospitalization, increased suicidal behavior, and a greater potential for substance use relapse. Smoking can also interact and interfere with psychiatric medications, often resulting in the need for higher medication doses to achieve the same therapeutic effect. 

The challenges of quitting…. 

Individuals with a behavioral health disorder are more likely to experience large amount of stress throughout their daily life and are less likely to have a strong support system. These factors, reinforced with the stress reducing effects of nicotine and an individual’s lack of positive coping mechanisms have been identified as contributing factors to increased rates of cigarette smoking in people with behavioral health disorders. All of this makes it more of a challenge to quit, but that doesn’t mean that these individuals do not want to. It has been reported that 33% of current smokers with a behavioral health disorder would like to quit. In order to help these individuals quit, the Ohio Tobacco Quitline was created as a resource that has the ability to provide individuals with a support system, as well as teach positive coping mechanisms that help to reduce stress. 

If you are interested in quitting, the Ohio Tobacco Quitline is here to help you be successful in your quit journey. This free tobacco cessation program is based on proven strategies that have helped more than 1.5 million people quit tobacco. Throughout the program, professional quit coaches and an online community help to provide the support that you need in order to quit. You will also be connected to additional resources, such as nicotine replacement therapy.  

Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669) to enroll today!