Nicotine dependence and psychological distress: outcomes and clinical implications in smoking cessation

Abstract

Fiammetta Cosci1, Francesco Pistelli2, Nicola Lazzarini1, Laura Carrozzi21Department of Psychology, University of Florence, Florence; 2University Unit of Pulmonology and Respiratory Pathophysiology, Cardiothoracic Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyAbstract: Nicotine dependence is characteristically a chronic and relapsing disease. Although 75%–85% of smokers would like to quit, and one-third make at least three serious lifetime attempts, less than 50% of smokers succeed in stopping before the age of 60. Relevant and complex factors contributing to sustained cigarette consumption, and strongly implicated in the clinical management of smokers, are the level of nicotine dependence and psychological distress. In this review of the literature, these two factors will be examined in detail to show how they may affect smoking cessation outcome and to encourage clinicians to assess patients so they can offer tailored support in quitting smoking.Keywords: nicotine dependence, psychological distress, quitting, smoking cessation, clinical management