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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Alice J. DallaPalu, MPA, CTTS-M, CAC and Jeanne Fignar, AAS. Coalition for a Smoke-Free Valley, P. O. Box 7017, Allentown, PA 18105-7017, 610-402-2900, jeanne.fignar@lvh.com

Objective: To conduct a pilot study of effective tobacco cessation treatment interventions in a drug treatment program to establish a model treatment program.

Methods: Clients in a methadone treatment program were surveyed to establish tobacco use and willingness to participate in cessation counseling. A simultaneous staff survey was completed to assess staff tobacco use, knowledge and willingness to counsel clients. Identified counselors received tobacco cessation training and additional NRT education. Clients self-referred to the program and were screened to meet inclusion criteria. Clients met with counselors based on established protocols. First session included an intake to establish stage of change and treatment protocol; clients then met with nurse practitioner for NRT; next session with counselors included the setting of a quit date. Clients were followed for an additional 1-4 sessions, depending on need for continued support, including education on relapse techniques.

Results: There were 43 clients admitted to the pilot project. 18 or 41.9% were quit at the three month follow-up and 13 or 30.2% at six months. At three months, 3 or 11.6% cut down on their smoking and at six months, 7 or 16.3%. At the six month period, all those who had not quit (30) expressed a continued, serious commitment to quitting smoking.

Learning Objectives:

• The information presented will allow participants to recognize that tobacco cessation can be successfully integrated into a drug rehabilitation program. Participants will be able to utilize these methods to develop their own program.

Keywords: Tobacco, Drug Abuse Treatment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered