Abstract
Smoking has emerged as a significant public health issue and evidence showed that in people who use or used drugs and alcohol smoking rates are at an all-time high. Smoking has been identified as a contributing factor in a myriad of chronic illness including Asthma, COPD and Cancer. For people to break a smoking habit, of many years, requires a dynamic comprehensive approach like those currently utilized in drug and alcohol treatment programs. The literature suggests that intensive smoking cessation interventions involving behavioral support through counseling and pharmacotherapy are needed to effectively treat this population. An evidence-based project was conducted to assess the quit rates among patients receiving Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and intensive counseling compared to patients receiving standard care: NRT and brief information on smoking cessation. A significant decrease in tobacco use and a willingness of staff to incorporate the intervention into clinical practice was observed. This change in practice has resulted in more sustain quit rates over time. The findings of this project revealed significantly better results in the intervention group’s quit rates over-time. This intervention can be used in all healthcare settings.
Highlights
The National Centers for Disease and Prevention [1] estimates that 46.6 million, or 20.6% of adults are smokers
The evidence supports initial smoking cessation programs with oneon-one counseling; Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRTs) (i.e., Nicotine patches, gum or lozenges); and follow-up increases the rates of abstinence up to 6 months to a year
An evidence-based project was conducted to assess the quit rates among patients receiving Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and intensive counseling compared to patients receiving standard care: NRT and brief information on smoking cessation
Summary
The National Centers for Disease and Prevention [1] estimates that 46.6 million, or 20.6% of adults are smokers. Kalman [3] estimates that among individuals with substance abuse problems; 74-88% of them are smokers; which is nearly four times greater than the general U.S population rates; and tobacco related illness is a major cause of death for people in this population [1]. Prochaska et al [4] reviewed several studies and concluded that substance abusers, who tend to start smoking at a younger age, are more likely to be heavy smokers, nicotine dependent, and experience greater difficulty with quitting. Individuals with substance related addictions are at greater risk of tobacco-related morbidity. Hurt et al [5] maintained that among individuals treated for alcohol dependence, tobacco related diseases were responsible for half of all deaths, even greater than alcohol related causes. Quitting smoking is a process that occurs over time, so it’s essential to assess the stage of change the smoker is at; smoking counseling needs to be individualized and staged matched and efforts at quitting needs to be reinforced
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