Author(s): Peter Thomas Sandy and Tennyson Mgutshini
Background: Patients with schizophrenia have a higher incidence of smoking relative to the general population. They are more likely to smoke high-tar cigarettes than patients of other mental health problems. Smokers with this diagnostic category are therefore more likely to be addicted to nicotine, and are at an increased risk of developing serious health complications. Despite this, they are generally unlikely to seek help to quit smoking, a function of their inability to do so. Although this is the case, patients with schizophrenia are rarely involved in smoking cessation activities. Hence, this case study of a smoking cessation programmes.
Aim: The intention of this case study is to explore the effectiveness of an integrated smoking cessation programme in enabling patients to stop smoking. This paper describes the application of this programme on patients with schizophrenia and nicotine addiction. It also describes roles played by its components in smoking cessation.
Methods: The integrated programme comprised of nicotine replacement therapy and motivational interviewing. It is a 10-week programme that involved six patients. One patient was also offered an additionally 6-week tailor-made integrated programme that comprised of nicotine replacement therapy and motivational interviewing that creates space for discussion of religious beliefs. This is first to include religion, nicotine replacement therapy and motivational interviewing in a smoking cessation treatment for patients with schizophrenia.
Results: Five patients quitted smoking at the end of the 10-week programme, and one stopped smoking at the end of the additional 6-week programme. In sum, the integrated programme was successful in enabling patients to stop smoking.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that stopping smoking is possible for individuals with schizophrenia, especially if the treatment is tailor-made to incorporate patients? wishes. Quitting should not be considered impossible for individuals of this patient group. Religious beliefs do have a part to play in smoking cessation. The strength of religious identification may enable people to abstain from substance use and misuse.
