Integrated PTSD and Smoking Treatment

Research shows that people with PTSD are more likely to smoke than people without PTSD. It
also shows that people with PTSD have more difficulty at attempts to quit smoking. This
study is part of a program aimed at finding out how best to help smokers quit who also have
PTSD. One option is to give patients standard smoking cessation treatment including
nicotine replacement and cognitive behavioral therapy. Another option is to give patients
the standard smoking cessation treatment in addition to treatment for their PTSD symptoms
(called prolonged exposure). However, it is not known which method works better. In order to
answer this question, patients will be assigned by chance to one of two groups. One group
will be given standard smoking cessation treatment to help quit smoking. A second group will
be given the standard smoking cessation intervention to help quit smoking in addition to a
form of psychotherapy called Prolonged Exposure to reduce symptoms of PTSD. The patients
will be randomly assigned (by chance) to one of these groups. If the patient is assigned to
the smoking cessation only condition and the patient still has PTSD symptoms after the last
study visit (week 24) the patient will be offered treatment for your PTSD symptoms
(Prolonged Exposure) at no cost. The patient's participation will help the investigators
determine if treating PTSD symptoms enhances the ability of standard smoking cessation to
help people quit smoking.