The Positive Effects of Quitting Smoking on Mental Health

The Vicious Loop 

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a new fact sheet examining the complicated connections between tobacco smoking and mental illness. 2 in 3 people suffering from severe mental illnesses are current smokers, a number that emphasizes the need to address these connections urgently.

The complex relationship between smoking and mental health is eye-opening. Some of the shocking figures in the fact sheet show that people with mental illness are twice as likely to smoke and more susceptible to mental health issues.

Furthermore, studies also show that people suffering from mental disorders, including anxiety, depression and schizophrenia:

• Are more likely to smoke significantly than the general populace

• Tend to smoke heavily

• Need to take higher doses of anti-psychotic drugs and antidepressants since the medicines’ effectiveness is compromised by smoking.

What Studies Show 

The smoking rate has been declining over the past 50 years, especially in high-income countries. In the U.S, 19.7% was the current rate in 2018. This rate is still stubbornly high for people with mental illness (36.7%).

Many people believe that smoking has mental health benefits such as stress reduction and anxiety. One study found that this belief was held by not only smokers but also mental health professionals. About 40-45% of mental health care professionals believed that the effects of quitting smoking would not be beneficial for their patients.

On average, people with severe mental illnesses die 15 to 20 years earlier, with tobacco listed as one of the primary causes of death.

The effects of smoking are not only limited to death rates. They also impact quality of living and attempt to manage mental disorders. Tobacco, for example, can reduce the effectiveness of medications prescribed to improve mental health.

Smoking And Mental Health 

Smoking is believed to be an effective way to reduce stress and can even be considered a form of self-medication for people suffering from mental disorders.

There are biologically plausible reasons that smoking can worsen mental health. These include neuroadaptations that result from long-term smoking and frequent nicotine withdrawal symptoms which include anxiety, depression, and irritability as possible mental effects of smoking. However, cessation of smoking can be a good option to improve mental health.

Many smokers also feel that their mental health will worsen as an effect of quitting smoking. They fear losing their social relationships due to the irritability they experience early in quitting smoking or because smoking is a major part of their social lives.

While most smokers want to quit, others continue to smoke because it seems to ease stress or anxiety. Smoking is believed to help you relax. However, anxiety and tension are unrelenting mental effects of smoking.

According to Dr. Gemma Taylor, lead author of the review done on the cessation of smoking among people with mental illness, while smokers may believe cigarettes provide a temporary fix for low moods, there are good reasons to believe that smoking makes them feel worse.

She added that if they can get past the withdrawal many smokers feel as one of the effects of quitting smoking, then better mental health is possible.

How Quitting Benefits Mental Health  

Evidence suggests the relationship between smoking cessation, mood and depression is similar for a variety of people. The most important thing is that there is no evidence to suggest that the effects of quitting smoking will cause a decline in mental health. In fact, there are more proofs of the benefits of quitting smoking.

Studies show that the positive health effects of quitting smoking include:

• Lower anxiety, depression, and stress levels

• Improved positive mood and quality of life improve

• Lower dosage of some medicines used to treat mental problems

• Better concentration because of the higher oxygen levels in the body

A sub-analysis involving three studies showed that there was a pooled lower likelihood of 24% developing mixed anxiety/depression in the future. Two studies show a 44% chance of developing only anxiety as an effect of quitting smoking. A summary result could not be calculated because the future diagnoses of depression studies were too different.

There is evidence that one of the effects of quitting smoking has the same positive impact on anxiety and depression as antidepressants. After quitting smoking, people with mental health issues are more likely to feel calmer, happier, and have a better standard of living.

However, the worst way to quit smoking is to give up suddenly by using willpower. It’s more effective to plan, to have support, and to choose the right time to try. You are less likely to quit if you’re feeling unsteady, in crisis or going through major life changes.

Challenges to Quitting Smoking 

The links between smoking and mental health are well understood by the tobacco industry. There are various strategies used by the tobacco companies to promote smoking among some of the most vulnerable people in society. Everything from funding research suggesting that quitting is impossible for people suffering from mental illness, to donating tobacco to mental health facilities.

Even if there is no attempt by the tobacco industry to impede progress, there are unique cessation obstacles for people suffering from mental illness. People with mental illnesses are at greater risk of developing addiction. Many mental health conditions that emerge as effects of quitting smoking can be interrelated with social determinants that could make it harder to quit, such as low income or stressful living environments.

Key Takeaway 

Some smokers are hesitant to quit smoking because they believe it will lessen their anxiety and depression. However, the reverse maybe true. New evidence has been found that the effects of quitting smoking have significant mental health benefits.

Stopping smoking is a great way to reduce your chances of developing a mental illness. There are many benefits of quitting smoking in people with mental disorders.

It is important to understand that quitting smoking can have a complex link to your mental well-being. This will help you to manage your symptoms and eventually succeed in your decision.

Although quitting smoking may initially cause symptoms such as anxiety and depression, the result is better mental health.

Haven House Recovery Can Help You 

At Haven House Recovery, we can help you achieve your goal of overcoming addiction. Our rehabilitation center focusing on addiction recovery in Clarksville will provide guidance and treatment to help you and your loved one take steps towards achieving healthy mental well-being and living a smoke-free life. Treatments include introducing smoke-free mental services, awareness campaigns for patients and health workers, training mental care staff, and raising tobacco taxation.

We believe that these challenges are not insurmountable. People suffering from mental illness and addiction to smoking should be supported and treated with empathy.

Knowing that the significant effects of quitting smoking include improving your mental and social well-being in just a few weeks can help you stay motivated. Contact us now!