ADDICTIONS & MENTAL HEALTH
Impact of interventions on tobacco use morbidity and mortality
People who use substances, such as alcohol and other drugs, smoke more and are more vulnerable to the effects of tobacco than the general population. Tobacco use and alcohol use act synergistically to harm health; their combined harm is more than either smoking or drinking alone– in fact, tobacco use is responsible for greater morbidity than alcohol and all other drugs combined. As well people with certain psychiatric disorders are more likely to use tobacco.
Evidence to support tobacco dependence interventions
Mental Health and Addiction staff should offer counseling and pharmacotherapy treatment to persons who smoke and who have a mental illness and/or addiction to other substances:
- Mental Health and Addictions Best Practice Guideline: CAN-ADAPTT
- Discussion paper: Smoking Cessation Interventions for Individuals with Severe Mental Illness
- A Randomized Clinical Trial: Maintenance Treatment With Varenicline for Smoking Cessation in Patients With Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
- Article abstract: A randomized trial of concurrent smoking-cessation and substance use disorder treatment in stimulant-dependent smokers
Support for addiction & mental health services projects
Funding is available for Addictions Agencies to offer free Nicotine Replacement Therapy to their clients through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Addictions agencies participating in the STOP Program are provided with free NRT for their clients and ongoing training support and knowledge exchange opportunities.
Examples of evidence-based practice systems
Resources for staff and clients
Resources Tailored for Addictions & Mental Health Patients and Staff:
Overview Video: Patients Talk About Smoking |
Arrange Referral – Tobacco Addiction Recovery Program |
Mental Illness & Smoking Fact Sheet Staff Handout |
Available for download. Contact your local Public Health Unit or Smokers’ Helpline for requests to adapt resources.
Training opportunities for addiction & mental health staff
Addiction and Mental Health workers are considered a credible source of information by clients – you can help your clients to quit smoking, even with just a few minutes of your time.
- Training opportunities for brief contact intervention with clients, as well more intensive interventions are available.
- TEACH Specialty Course: Tobacco Interventions for Patients with Mental Health and/or Addictive Diseases (CAMH)
- Motivational Interviewing online course – Canadian Mental Health Association
Introductory and more advanced interactive workshops teaching the principles, skills and methods of Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help individuals move towards positive changes. - Motivational Interviewing in treatment of substance dependence online course – Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
This course explores the use of motivational interviewing to improve the care of patients and the quality of service in the treatment of opioid addiction and other forms of substance dependence.