Treating Smokers With Mental Illness

Treating Tobacco Dependence in Smokers With Severe Mental Illness

This is a smoking cessation study that will enroll smokers who have been diagnosed with a severe mental illness. The study will use a combination of intensive tobacco treatment counseling and nicotine replacement therapy to assist smokers in cutting back on and quitting smoking over the course of six months.

At the baseline measurement visit, participants will be asked to complete a survey and an interview. They will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. Both groups will receive a smoking cessation manual and list of resources. The intervention group will also receive smoking cessation counseling and nicotine replacement therapy. Both groups will be seen for in-person assessments again at 8 weeks and 6 months post baseline.

Inclusion Criteria:

• have a severe mental illness diagnosis
• be a daily smoker
• be willing to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked per day leading to a quit attempt
• want to try to quit smoking
• be willing to use nicotine replacement therapy
• be able to communicate in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• anyone who has had an active psychotic episode or been hospitalized due to suicidal ideation in the last six months
• pregnancy
• taking Chantix or Clozapine
• having a terminal illness