Abstract
Background: Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death, and over 200,000 women die each year of diseases caused by tobacco. Women with substance use disorders (SUDs) are disproportionately affected. Smoking prevalence among individuals enrolled in SUD treatment is 2-4 times higher than that of the general population, yet less than half of all treatment facilities offer tobacco treatment services. However, when individuals combine treatment, they have a greater likelihood of long-term abstinence from alcohol and other substances of use.
Methods: A quality improvement project was undertaken to implement the U.S. Public Health Service guideline for tobacco cessation in a women's residential substance use treatment facility. Tobacco users were advised on their health risk and recommended to cut down or quit. They were advised that help was available using nicotine replacement therapy, behavioral counseling, or both.
Results: Upon admission, 67% of clients received brief advice to quit, and 30% participated in an intensive treatment aimed at reducing or eliminating cigarette use. At discharge, counseling participants (n = 21) smoked an average of nine cigarettes per day, reduced from 23, which was statistically significant.
Implications for Practice: Interventions reduced cigarette smoking in a population at a high risk for adverse outcomes related to use. Results suggest that more clients are interested in tobacco treatment than previously estimated. Increased administrative, clinical, and pharmacy support can sustain and further assist clients with cessation efforts.