Smoking Cessation for Veterans With Severe and Persistent Mental Illness
Schizoaffective Disorder, Schizophrenia, Affective Psychosis, Bipolar
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Schizoaffective Disorder focused on measuring smoking cessation, serious mental illness
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- DSM-IV diagnosis of severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) including a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder in keeping with criteria established by the Serious Mental Illness Treatment Research and Evaluation Center (SMITREC) -Schizophrenic disorders, affective psychoses and other psychotic diagnoses. We also include individuals with a diagnosis of Major Depression with psychotic features and PTSD.
- Age 18-75
- Nicotine dependence as defined by a score of 5 or higher on the Fagerstrom Tolerance Scale OR Participants who currently smoke at least 10 cigarettes per day
- Participants will not meet criteria for current alcohol/substance dependence (other than nicotine)
- Willingness ability to provide consent to participate.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Documented history of severe neurological disorder or severe head trauma with loss of consciousness
- Severe or profound mental retardation by chart review.
Sites / Locations
- Washington DC VA Medical Center, Washington, DC
- Baltimore VA Medical Center VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
BTSCS
StSST
BTSCS lasts 3 months, includes two 60-minute group meetings per week (24 group meetings total), and is delivered in small groups of 4-8 participants run by a trained interventionist. BTSCS includes: (1) An individual motivational enhancement meeting during the first week of treatment to help participants think about individual reasons for smoking cessation; (2) Breath carbon monoxide monitoring and goal-setting at the beginning of each meeting; (3) Skills for reducing smoking; (4) Social Skills Training; (5) Education about the biology of SPMI and smoking and the physiological harm caused by smoking; (5) Relapse prevention training; (6) Education about and assistance with nicotine replacement therapy for participants who are interested in learning about and trying it.
The StSST program is adapted from a 9-session weekly smoking cessation group program developed at the Outpatient Research Program of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center and designed for people with schizophrenia. In this study, the StSST program meet twice per week for 3 months (24 sessions total). Participants complete a breath carbon monoxide test at the start of each group meeting. StSST groups provide education about smoking and support for quitting.