December 13, 2010 - A recent study suggests that integrated care, which combines post traumatic stress disorder treatment and smoking cessation, is the best way to help veterans quit smoking. The study which appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association followed 943 smokers, who suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, while they received treatment. Veterans who received mental health counseling and smoking cessation treatment from the same counselor were twice as likely to quit smoking then those who received mental health counseling and were referred to smoking cessation services. 

The veterans that received integrated care were more likely to quit smoking because they attended more smoking cessation counseling sessions and were more likely to use smoking cessation medications. About 400,000 veterans go to VA clinics for post traumatic stress disorder treatment. Integrating smoking cessation and post traumatic stress disorder treatment can help prevent tobacco related health problems in veterans.

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