Depression And Smoking

It seems obvious that smoking and depression are interrelated. This relationship has been well established in the scientific literature for many years now. In fact, out of this relationship came a novel treatment for smoking cessation, Bupropion. The medical community began to take notice when many of their patients, who were being treated for depression with Wellbutrin (Bupropion), began to report they had stopped smoking. Currently, Bupropion is now marketed as Zyban which is now one of the front line medications enlisted for smoking cessation. Zyban doubles the success rate over quitting cold turkey alone.

It is currently reported that adults over the age of 20 with depression are more likely to be cigarette smokers than those without depression. Both men and women with depression have similar smoking rates, although non-depressed women reportedly smoke less than non-depressed men. In addition, those with depression smoke in greater amounts than those without depression. As one would expect, smoking prevalence rises and falls in parallel with depression severity. Understandably, it is more difficult for those with depression to stop smoking.

Those with depression find that starting smoking is just a natural extension of their behavior. The person who suffers from depression has many more obstacles to overcome when beginning a smoking cessation program than those who do not suffer from depression. The Pavlovian response, or the sense that "all is the way it should be", can be a very difficult chain to break for those with depression. This feeling becomes much more real for this clinical group and offers a kind of escapism or break from their circumstance. In a way, smoking may be viewed as a kind of coping mechanism, albeit, a dangerous one.

Many people who suffer from depression may be talked into a smoking cessation trial by physicians or caring family members, however, if the decision is not born from within the individual, the chances of relapse are very strong. It is extremely important that the decision to quit come from the individual, themselves, and not from coercion by others, no matter how well intentioned they may be.

Many smokers, depressed or otherwise, often select the wrong smoking cessation program that does not match their addiction, personality, or in this case, diagnosis. For example, casually quitting cold turkey one day will in all likelihood, result in a quick relapse for those suffering from depression. This makes the involvement of a physician or other licensed healthcare provider/counselor of tantamount importance. Being able to discuss triggers, fears and the ability to map out a comprehensive plan that addresses the depression, is of significant clinical importance for a successful outcome. The addition of a qualified individual can certainly make all the difference in the world between quitting and relapsing.

The medical community must continue working to understand the relationship between smoking and depression. This will hopefully lead to better smoking cessation modalities and interventions.

By: Tim Frymyer

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For more information on stop smoking aids or to receive unbiased stop smoking information, please visit www.stopsmokinghelper.org. Tim Frymyer is a licensed respiratory therapist who is dedicated to keeping the public up-to-date on the latest stop smoking information.