Survey of clinician attitudes toward smoking cessation for psychiatric and substance abusing clients

J Addict Dis. 2008;27(1):55-63. doi: 10.1300/J069v27n01_06.

Abstract

The current study examined mental health clinician attitudes regarding smoking cessation for psychiatric and substance abusing patients. Participants included n = 15 never smokers, n = 12 former smokers, and n = 7 current smokers. There was a trend (p = 0.08) for current smokers as compared to former and never smokers to be less likely to encourage their clients to stop smoking. Overall, clinicians strongly agreed that an individual's motivation is the most important determinant of success in quitting. Clinicians were concerned that smoking cessation would initiate a relapse to substance abuse. We suggest that mental health clinicians can be instrumental in providing information, encouragement, and opportunities for their patients to attempt smoking cessation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Community Mental Health Centers
  • Comorbidity
  • Connecticut
  • Culture
  • Data Collection
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motivation
  • Patient Care Team
  • Smoking / epidemiology
  • Smoking / psychology
  • Smoking Cessation / psychology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Treatment Outcome