|
|
A NEWSLETTER FOR PROVIDERS WHO TREAT VETERANS
|
|
Tobacco, Nicotine and PTSD
Mark Myers, PhD
Wednesday, August 21 at 2:00pm ET
|
|
 Photo by Geri Tech
*See our website for new TMS registration process
|
|
About the Presenter
MARK MYERS, PhD is a clinical psychologist at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System where he serves as the Lead Tobacco Cessation Clinician, having provided tobacco treatment to Veterans for over 25 years. Dr. Myers is also Deputy Director of the VA National Tobacco Cessation Clinical Resource Center, under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Tobacco & Health, engaged in program development, consultation and tobacco treatment training across the VA system. He is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at University of California, San Diego and has been involved in tobacco use and treatment research throughout his career.
|
|
About the Topic
Tobacco use, and cigarette smoking in particular, is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. There have been significant declines in cigarette use in the general and Veteran populations, however the prevalence of tobacco use remains relatively high, especially in particular health disparity subgroups, such as veterans with PTSD. While it is well known that tobacco cessation can reduce the risk for adverse effects on physical health, evidence also indicates that tobacco use exacerbates symptoms of PTSD and smoking cessation reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety. Although VA providers who treat PTSD commonly encounter tobacco users, many feel they do not have adequate skills to provide behavioral counseling to assist with cessation efforts. As such, tobacco use is often not addressed and/or evidence based intervention elements are not provided, representing missed opportunities to address this critical health behavior. Tobacco cessation treatment training is not routinely provided, either in the context of professional training or within healthcare facilities. Teaching providers basic tenets of behavioral counseling for treating tobacco dependence will increase confidence in and likelihood of addressing patient tobacco use behaviors. To this end this presentation will provide education regarding the effective elements of brief behavioral counseling for treatment of tobacco dependence.
|
|
September 18, 2024: Cognitive Behavioral Nightmare Therapies and PTSD (Kristi Ensor Pruiksma, PhD, DBSM)
October 16, 2024: Treating PTSD in Primary Care (Kyle Possemato, PhD)
PTSD and Physical Health
Exposure to traumatic events such as military combat, physical and sexual abuse, and natural disaster, can be related to poor physical health. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is also related to health problems. This article provides information on the relationships between trauma, PTSD, and physical health; specific health problems associated with PTSD; health-risk behaviors and PTSD; mechanisms that help explain how PTSD and physical health could be related; and a clinical agenda to address PTSD and health.
Read the full version of this article
|
|
Tobacco Cessation
The Tobacco and Health page on VA's Mental Health website provides education for Veterans.
Information about these resources is available:
Quit VET, VA’s free telephone quitline, 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838), offers tobacco cessation counseling to any Veteran who receives their health care through VA. Quit VET is staffed by trained counselors who help during any phase of quitting.
SmokefreeVET sends daily text messages that provide support, encouragement, and tips for quitting tobacco products like cigarettes and chew. SmokefreeVET works on any mobile phone with texting capabilities and is available in English and Spanish.
|
Free Mobile App
Stay Quit Coach 2.0 is a free, easy-to-use mobile app designed to help anyone who would like to quit or reduce use of cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems, cigars and chewing tobacco. The app offers readily available support and information for adults who are in the process of quitting or who have already quit. Stay Quit Coach 2.0 helps users identify their personal reasons for quitting, set goals, and track their progress over time. Interactive tools help users cope with urges and motivational messages help users stay tobacco-free.
|
|
 |
|
Our team of expert clinicians is available to consult with any healthcare provider treating U.S. veterans in any setting.
We can discuss assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, medications, collaborating with VA care, patient and family education, continuing education, and just about anything else related to veterans and PTSD.
No question is too big or too small.
Contact us at PTSDconsult@va.gov or 866-948-7880.
|
|
|
 |
|
www.ptsd.va.gov/consult |
|
|
|
|
|
