Motivation to Quit Smoking among Veterans Diagnosed with Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Disorders

While smoking, psychiatric and substance abuse disorders are high among veterans, there is considerable controversy over providing smoking cessation interventions to those suffering with psychiatric and substance abuse disorders. The objective of this study was to determine motivation to quit smoking among veterans experiencing psychiatric and substance abuse disorders. A convenience sample of patients recruited at a primarily psychiatric Veterans Affairs hospital completed a self-administered survey (N = 146). Means or frequencies were calculated for all variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were examined to determine the association between psychiatric or substance abuse disorders and opinions about the importance of quitting smoking to health, thinking of quitting smoking in the next 30 days, and interest in receiving smoking cessation services. Psychiatric and substance abuse disorders were reported among 74% and 64% of patients, respectively. After controlling for nicotine dependence, age, race/ethnicity, and employment status, veterans with psychiatric disorders had 2.6 times greater odds of thinking that quitting smoking was very or extremely important to their health (p = 0.05) and 4.4 times greater odds of thinking of quitting using tobacco products in the next 30 days (p = 0.02) compared to those without psychiatric disorders. There were no differences in motivation to quit smoking among those with and without substance abuse disorders. Veterans with psychiatric disorders are motivated to quit smoking and should be offered cessation services. Veterans with substance abuse disorders may need interventions to enhance motivation to quit.