171450 Tobacco dependence among clients in residential substance abuse programs:Meeting the NYS mandate

Monday, October 27, 2008

Janetta Astone-Twerell, PhD , Samaritan Village, Inc., Briarwood, NY
Keith Morgen, PhD , Dept of Behavioral and Historical Studies, Centenary College, Hackettstown, NJ
Ted Hernitche, LCSW , Samaritan Village, Inc., Briarwood, NY
Audrey Watson, BA , Samaritan Village, Inc., Briarwood, NY
Tobacco dependence is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in addiction treatment programs. Recently, the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) announced regulations applicable to all OASAS programs to institute a policy of tobacco free premises starting July, 2008. As such, clients entering long-term residential treatment programs (6-18 months) will need to quit smoking during their treatment stay. Such programs will require clinical level change, better assessment of nicotine dependence and the inclusion of tobacco dependence in the client's treatment plan. The research division at Samaritan Village (SV) one of the largest residential treatment agencies in NY has developed and implemented a tobacco assessment which provides information on client's current, historical and intentional tobacco use. Data is reported on clients entering treatment from November 2007 (N=340), and clients having been in treatment between 1-12 months (N=513). Findings indicate that nearly 90% of clients smoke and 93% of those smoke every day. The majority score as having low to moderate nicotine dependence; about 60% of clients have attempted to stop using tobacco; many making at least 3 attempts; most reported using “cold turkey” to quit smoking followed by the nicotine patch; and the most common side effects included increased appetite, frustration, anger, anxiety and depression. Precontemplaters were significantly more nicotine dependent than those in the preparation stage (p=<.005) and higher levels of stress significantly predicted greater nicotine dependence (p<.001). Using information from a targeted tobacco assessment can better equip counselors to support clients in becoming tobacco free.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the prevalence of tobacco dependence among substance abusers 2. Identify the benefits of a comprehensive tobacco dependence assessment of clients entering long-term residential substance abuse programs 3. List the most commonly used and desired smoking cessation strategies among clients in residential substance abuse programs

Keywords: Tobacco, Substance Abuse Assessment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the lead researcher and primary author on the abstract.I am qualified to be an abstract author on the content as a result of both my education and my research experience in this area
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.