Learning Objectives: Describe the process of integration of tobacco dependence treatment into residential substance abuse treatment facilities.
Abstract: Problem: In 1999 New Jersey established licensure standards for tobacco treatment within residential substance abuse treatment facilities, with an implementation date of November 15, 2001 for the tobacco-free grounds provision. The State also provided nicotine patches and gum starting in November of 2001. The purpose of this study was to survey Directors of residential facilities about current practices and beliefs about tobacco treatment as compared to 1999.
Methods: Thirty of 33 (91%) Directors of residential addictions treatment programs participated in a 60-minute semi-structured interview in the fall of 2002.
Results: At the time of this survey, all programs (100%) were providing some aspects of tobacco dependence treatment (assessment, individual or group counseling, nicotine replacement). Rates for individual or group tobacco counseling, increased from 50% of programs prior to 1999 to 95% of programs at 2002 and use of nicotine replacement increased from 27% to 97%. Most felt the Tobacco Standards had a positive impact on clients and staff with increased awareness of tobacco as a treatable addiction, deserving parity with other drugs. Fifty percent of the Directors reported tobacco-free grounds at time of survey citing this to be the most challenging aspect of implementation. The availability of nicotine replacement medications and focused trainings provided by the UMDNJ-Tobacco Dependence Program were of the greatest value along with a model that completely integrated tobacco into substance abuse treatment.
Conclusions: Licensure standards for tobacco within residential substance abuse facilities result in increased tobacco treatment and have a positive impact on clients and staff.
Back to Poster Session
Back to Cessation, Nicotine, and the Science of Addiction
Back to The 2003 National Conference on Tobacco or Health (December 10-12, 2003)