New information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that those with a mental illness are 70 percent more likely to be smokers. The study published in Vital Signs generally coincides with studies done to link substance abuse and mental illness.
The links are likely synergistic rather than causal. Those with mental illnesses are more likely to have addictive or obsessive behaviors than are those without an illness. Since the most common mental illness is depression, it follows that self-treating depression with alcohol and tobacco (the two most common, readily available legal drugs) will also be common.
The CDC report cites statistics such as who is more likely to be a smoker among the mentally ill: young adults, Native Americans, the poor, and those with less education.
Quitting is possible
"Smokers with mental illness, like other smokers, want to quit and can quit," said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. in a release. "Stop-smoking treatments work - and it’s important to make them more available to all people who want to quit."
If you're a smoker, you can quit. I've done it and millions of others have as well. For quitting assistance, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit www.smokefree.gov. Also, visit www.BeTobaccoFree.gov for information on quitting and preventing children from using tobacco.
