1. Integrating Smoking Cessation with Substance Abuse Treatment
Charlotte J. Smith, MD, Jillian Arthur, MD, Annette Gadegbeku, MD
Department of Family, Community & Preventive Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia PA
Background
Figures
Results
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. This public health problem is of particular concern among individuals with substance use disorders in that they smoke at a greater rate than the general public. Smoking-related illness represents a major source of preventable death in persons with drug dependencies. Substance abuse treatment programs harbor a high percentage of smokers; however nicotine dependence has historically not been treated as intently as other drug dependencies. As a result, many persons in these treatment program settings do not receive opportunities to address their smoking.
0-10 cigs: 56%
11-20 cigs: 36%
21-30 cigs: 5%
31 or more: 3%
Baseline smoking status (N=36)
0-10 cigs: 43%
11-20 cigs: 9%
21-30 cigs: 8%
31 or more: 6%
quit: 34%
Smoking status in those attending >=4 sessions (N=35)
Conclusions
Smoking rates decreased after a minimum of 4 sessions
Some participants were even able to quit smoking all together
100% of participants would recommend the smoking cessation program to their friends and peers.
Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of a group smoking cessation program among residents currently enrolled in a substance abuse rehabilitation program.
Feedback
Methods & Study Design
Parts of program liked:
“The suggestions they give you to quit.”
“Learning about the patch.”
“Interactive discussions.”
“Learning how smoking affects the body.”
“Group support.”
Participants were all residents of a Salvation Army drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility that was not currently offering any other form of formal smoking cessation counseling.
Bi-monthly didactic and interactive sessions were held using a 4-session repeating syllabus. Participation was voluntary.
In addition to the group sessions, nicotine patches were made available to participants.
YES
Would you recommend this program to other Salvation Army residents?
None: 22%
1-5: 56%
6-10: 17%
No response: 5%
# Prior quit attempts
<1wk: 17%
1wk-1 mon: 11%
1-6 mon: 11%
>6 mon: 30%
No response: 31%
Longest time without smoking