Citation

Catchpole REH, McLeod SL, Brownlie EB, Allison CJ, Grewal A. J. Child Adolesc. Subst. Abuse 2016; 26(1): 41-55.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/1067828X.2016.1184600

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Mental health symptoms and substance use disorders are clear risk factors for cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence among young people, yet research on cigarette smoking among youths with concurrent mental health and substance use disorders ("dual diagnosis") is considerably lacking. We examined smoking history and perspectives regarding smoking, cessation, and mental health and substance use in 97 adolescents and emerging adults (ages 14 to 24) referred to a program for youths with concurrent mental health and substance use disorders in Canada.

RESULTS show high rates of cigarette smoking, and modest interest in quitting but little interest in attending formalized programs to assist with cessation. Many participants reported smoking more when mental health was worse; most reported that they frequently smoke cigarettes and use drugs or alcohol concurrently. Current smokers perceived more benefits from cigarette smoking in regulating emotions and ameliorating their mental health symptoms than former smokers. In contrast, perceived detrimental effects of smoking were unrelated to current smoking status.

RESULTS suggest a need for integrated treatment that incorporates emotion regulation as part of cessation approaches. Integrating smoking cessation approaches into existing mental health and substance use treatments may be more palatable to adolescents and emerging adults than stand-alone smoking cessation programs.