The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #60268

Hannah K. Knudsen, MA¹, Paul M. Roman, PhD², and J. Aaron Johnson, PhD¹. (1) Center for Research on Behavioral Health and Human Services Delivery, University of Georgia, 101 Barrow Hall, D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA 30602, 7065426090, hknudsen@arches.uga.edu, (2) Institute for Behavioral Research, University of Georgia, 101 Barrow Hall, D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA 30602

Given the high social and health costs of cigarette smoking as well as the greater prevalence of this behavior among those with substance abuse problems, substance abuse treatment centers can serve an important role in teaching smoking cessation techniques. Little research has examined the adoption of well established or recently developed smoking cessation technologies by these treatment centers. This research examines two research questions. First, are there significant differences in the teaching of smoking cessation among three types of substance abuse treatment centers, namely public funded centers, privately funded centers, and therapeutic communities? Second, do these three types of centers vary in their rates of adoption of biomedical smoking cessation innovations that involve nicotine replacement, such as the use of bupropion, the nicotine patch, and nicotine gum? Using data from the National Treatment Center Study, which includes information collected during on-site interviews at 400 privately funded centers, 400 publicly funded centers, and 400 therapeutic communities, we offer insight into the importance of substance abuse treatment's role in the delivery of smoking cessation services.

Learning Objectives:

• The audience will learn about the provision of smoking cessation services at public, private, and therapeutic community programs within the substance abuse treatment system in the United States. Based on this information, the audience will be able to evaluate the adoption and diffusion of recent innovations in nicotine replacement therapy in these types of facilities.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.