Vaping is in your news feed for its regulation, impact on public health and effects on youth.
So with the growing awareness of the health effects of vaping and recent reforms to restrict the availability of vapes in pharmacies in Australia, many people will be thinking about quitting. They will also need support to do so.
This is partly because so many vapes contain nicotine. About 73% of Australians currently vape he said their last vape contained nicotine. That tends to be it high strength nicotine.
Mental health is another factor closely linked to vaping – whether it’s people with mental health symptoms likely to start steaming in first place, how are they doing when they are vaping and whether they need additional support when trying to quit smoking.
Here’s what we know about how mental health is linked to vaping and where to go for support to quit.
How are mental health and vaping related?
An estimated 4.3 million Australians reported a mental health problem in the last 12 months. This includes anxiety and mood disorders (such as depression), which usually start from adolescence to early adulthood.
We know that vaping and mental health (including anxiety and depression) are connected. People who vape often are double the chances to have a diagnosis of depression compared to people who have never vaped.
Australian National Drug Strategy household survey as well shows People with more mental distress related to anxiety and depression were four times more likely to have vaped than people with low distress.
And for those who already have a mental health problem, vaping is related for worse depressive symptoms and physical health.
The relationship between nicotine-containing vapors and mental health is complex. People in mental distress may be more likely to start vaping and people who vape are more likely to have mental problems. What this doesn’t tell us is which comes first. So we need long-term studies to learn more.
What about self-therapy with steam?
Some people associate the use of nicotine-containing vapors with mental health or stress management. For example, to an Australian overview including questions about the expected benefits of vaping:
61% of young adults who have vaped believe it helps people calm down when they are tense or stressed
57% said it cheers people up when they are in a bad mood
50% said it helps people feel better if they are feeling down.
In other studiespeople who vape say it can be a way of coping anxiety, depression or stress.
But instead of treating these symptoms, vaping can increase them.
For example, a study in the United States found dependence on evaporation was associated with increased depressive symptoms. We also know from smoking research that quitting can improving mental health.
Does mental health affect quitting?
The evidence related to the mental health effects of vaping is there early stages. And if people have a mental health statusWhat does this mean resignation is under-researched.
But we know that stigma plays a role in both of his experiences mental health and addictionwhich can make it even harder to get help to quit smoking.
We also know that mental state can increase the odds recurrent after trying to stop steaming.
So what works to cut it?
We have few facts and Directive about the best way to support people who vape to quit, in general. There is even less evidence on how to support people with mental health conditions to stop smoking.
There are stop vaping programs for people with mental health problems. And as receiving mental health support enhances the odds success in quitting smoking, this may also hold promise for quitting vaping.
Although the figures are still increasing, experts recommend Quit plans take into account the severity of someone’s mental illness, the impact of nicotine use and withdrawal, and whether their mental illness medications interact with those used to help them stop vaping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychological therapy that examines how thoughts, behaviors, and emotions are connected. This is an effective approach to supporting people Stop smoking and its principles can be combined with cessation drugs to help people stop steaming. People with a mental health condition who vape can be offered cognitive behavioral therapy to help them quit, although concrete evidence is still needed to show how well it works.
Psychologists and counselors can also use motivational interviewing to emphasize the differences between one’s actions and values. For example, this can be used to highlight the difference between someone who wants to be healthy for his family (his value) but who vape regularly (his action). This, combined with education, can motivate people to act and see a vaping-free future.
Health providers and counselors can offer brief advice on how to quit smoking, extrapolating from what works smoking cessation. Services like Quitline can also help mental health providers provide outage support.
How can I learn more?
If you or someone you know wants to stop vaping, regardless of mental health issues or not, resources include:
More on the effect of vaping on the mental health of teenagers is also available.
If this article has raised issues for you or if you are concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
