Would smokers with schizophrenia benefit from a more flexible approach to smoking treatment?
We evaluated literature that addresses the notion that flexible smoking treatment approaches are warranted for smokers with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Understanding the biological and psychological mechanisms that increase the likelihood of smoking and decrease the motivation to quit for these individuals is addressed within the framework of a neurobiological model. We provide a brief overview of the limited smoking cessation treatment literature for patients with schizophrenia and compare abstinence-focused versus reduction-focused treatment modalities. The potential utility of the reduction-focused approach to tobacco treatment for these smokers is evaluated. Suggestions for future research to address the utility and efficacy of reduction-focused interventions for smokers with schizophrenia are put forth. We conclude with a consideration of the implications for the current understanding of smoking treatment among patients with co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses.
McChargue
Dennis E
DE
Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital, Hines, IL 60607-7137, USA.
Gulliver
Suzy B
SB
Hitsman
Brian
B
D004347:Drug Interactions; D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants; D009538:Nicotine