Cigarette smoking and psychosis: naturalistic follow up 4 years after an intervention trial

Cigarette smoking is very common among people with a psychotic disorder and is often not addressed by clinicians. Additionally, few studies have evaluated smoking interventions among this group. The present study reports findings from a naturalistic follow up 4 years after a smoking intervention trial.

Longer-term smoking, symptomatology and functioning were examined among 247 participants (recruited in Sydney and Newcastle, Australia) who initially attended a 1 year follow up of an eight-session individually administered trial for regular smokers with a psychotic disorder. Variables profiled included continuous and point prevalence abstinence rates, smoking reduction status (no reduction, < 50%, > or = 50%, or abstinence) and changes in anxiety, depression and current functioning.

Two-thirds of those who completed the 1 year assessment were followed up at 4 years (164/247, 66.4%), of whom 79.2% reported maintenance or improvement in their smoking reduction status relative to 1 year. Abstinence at 1 year was significantly associated with 4 year point prevalence abstinence. Lengthy periods of abstinence were also evident among those reporting 4 year point prevalence abstinence or at least a 50% reduction. No baseline or intervention status variables predicted smoking status at 4 years. Symptomatology and functioning also improved between baseline and 4 years.

Smokers with a psychotic disorder are capable of long-term change. It is recommended that clinicians address and monitor smoking during treatment of people with psychosis, emphasizing potential lifestyle and harm reduction benefits, with a view to eventual smoking cessation.