GROUP TREATMENT FOR SMOKING CESSATION AMONG PERSONS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

People with schizophrenia smoke more than the general population and m ore than other psychiatric diagnostic groups. The rate of smoking in t he general population is 30 percent, and reported rates for people wit h schizophrenia range between 62 percent and 81 percent. The author br iefly reviews evidence that nicotine's augmentation of dopamine releas e may account for the high prevalence of smoking in this group. The af fective, cognitive, and social difficulties and the symptoms experienc ed by many patients with schizophrenia indicate that existing smoking cessation programs may not be appropriate for them. The author describ es three programs developed for use with this population and reviews e vidence of their effectiveness. Preliminary evidence suggests that tra nsdermal nicotine patches are effective and that patients do not misus e them. The author concludes that stopping smoking is possible for ind ividuals with schizophrenia, especially if the treatment is specifical ly designed for them.