Substance abuse treatment counselors and tobacco use: a comparison of comprehensive and indoor-only workplace smoking bans

Tobacco-free grounds implementation in California residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs

Smoke-free laws and policies have contributed significantly to the decline in smoking in the U.S, but are not often applied in high-prevalence smoking populations where they are most needed. Smoking among clients in publicly funded substance use disorder (SUD) treatment is 3-4 times higher than the general population, and little is known about tobacco policies programs have adopted. To identify the prevalence of tobacco-free grounds and other smoking policies in California's publicly funded, adult, residential SUD programs. Using a California DHCS contact list of 1,921 publicly funded, non-medical, SUD programs, 362 were eligible to participate in a brief semi-structured phone survey concerning indoor and outdoor smoking for staff and clients and other tobacco policies. Of 259 programs that completed the survey, 28 (10.8%) reported tobacco-free grounds. 91 (35.1%) expressed interest in implementing tobacco-free policies and 23 have plans to do so. Nearly all programs (n = 253, 97.7%) had some policy restricting e-cigarette use, and 110 (43.5%) of these reported a complete ban on e-cigarette use. 124 (47.9%) had policies prohibiting staff and clients smoking together. Most California residential SUD programs allow outdoor smoking for staff and clients and few have adopted tobacco-free grounds policies. Given the reported interest in adopting tobacco-free policies, the high density of smokers in the SUD population, and the association of tobacco-free policies with lower client and staff smoking rates, state licensing and regulatory agencies, as well as county health departments, should work with SUD programs to adopt tobacco-free policies.

Smoking-related outcomes and associations with tobacco-free policy in addiction treatment, 2015-2016

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed changes in smoking-related outcomes in two cross-sectional samples of clients enrolled in addiction treatment and whether tobacco-free grounds policies were associated with smoking-related outcomes.

METHOD

Clients in 25 programs were surveyed in 2015 (N=1176) and 2016 (N=1055). The samples were compared on smoking prevalence, cigarettes per day (CPD), thinking of quitting, past year quit attempts, staff and clients smoking together, attitudes towards quitting, and tobacco-related services. Second, programs with (n=6) and without (n=17) tobacco-free grounds at both time points were compared on smoking-related outcomes. Last, we examined changes in these measures for two programs that adopted tobacco-free grounds between 2015 and 2016.

RESULTS

There was one difference across years, such that the mean score for the tobacco Program Service scale increased from 2.37 to 2.48 (p=0.043, effect size=0.02). In programs with tobacco-free grounds policies, compared to those without, both CPD and the rate of staff and clients smoking together were significantly lower. In the two programs where tobacco-free grounds were implemented during study years, client smoking prevalence decreased (92.5% v. 67.6%, p=0.005), the rate of staff and clients smoking together decreased (35.6% v. 4.2%, p=0.031), mean CPD decreased (10.62v. 8.24, p<0.001) and mean tobacco services received by clients increased (2.08v. 3.05, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Addiction treatment programs, and agencies responsible for licensing, regulating and funding these programs, should implement tobacco-free grounds policies.

A Randomized Trial Evaluating Whether Topiramate Aids Smoking Cessation and Prevents Alcohol Relapse in Recovering Alcohol-Dependent Men

BACKGROUND

Alcohol and nicotine dependence frequently co-occur, and quitting smoking might enhance long-term alcohol abstinence. Topiramate appears to help non-alcohol-dependent individuals quit smoking, and our pilot work suggested efficacy only in men. It also prevents relapse to alcohol in recently detoxified alcoholics. We evaluated topiramate in abstinent alcohol-dependent men to assess whether this medication (i) promotes smoking cessation and (ii) prevents alcohol and other drug relapse in the context of smoking cessation treatment.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-nine alcohol-abstinent (mean ~6 months) alcohol-dependent male smokers (80% with other substance use disorders) participated in this 12-week randomized, double blind, parallel group comparison of topiramate (up to 200 mg/d) and placebo with a 24-week nontreatment follow-up period. The study was carried out sequentially at 2 academic centers in the Midwest and Southern California between March 23, 2009 and November 20, 2014. All participants received manual-guided smoking cessation counseling combined with medication-focused compliance enhancement therapy. Randomization was block designed by the research pharmacist in a 1:1 ratio. Participants, investigators, and research personnel were masked to treatment assignment. The primary smoking end point was biochemically confirmed 4-week continuous abstinence from smoking during weeks 9 to 12, while the secondary end point was relapse to any drinking or drug use during the entire 36-week evaluation period. Logistic regression was used to determine the effects of topiramate on quitting smoking and alcohol relapse, controlling for relevant covariates. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (number NCT00802412) and is now closed.

RESULTS

Only a small proportion (7.9%) of topiramate-treated participants were able to quit smoking, and this cessation rate was similar to placebo (10.6%; odds ratio = 1.60; 95% confidence interval 0.4, 6.5; p = 0.51). Roughly 30% of the sample had a documented relapse to drinking or drug use during the study, and these rates were similar in the topiramate (20/63; 31.8%) and placebo groups (18/66; 27.3%; p = 0.58). Results of a longitudinal logistic regression model examining time to any alcohol relapse revealed no medication effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Topiramate at a daily dosage of up to 200 mg per day, combined with smoking cessation and medication adherence counseling, had no effects on smoking cessation or the prevention of alcohol or drug relapse in male smokers who were in early or sustained full remission from alcohol and motivated to make a quit attempt. Alternative approaches for treating this high-risk, dually dependent population are needed.

Medicaid, Private Insurance, and the Availability of Smoking Cessation Interventions in Substance Use Disorder Treatment

OBJECTIVE

Integration of smoking cessation services in substance use disorder treatment would benefit many patients. Although prior studies have identified organizational characteristics associated with delivery of these services, less is known regarding associations between financial factors and the availability of smoking cessation services. This study examined whether reliance on Medicaid and private insurance revenues is associated with the availability of a formal counseling-based smoking cessation program and medications (sustained-release bupropion, varenicline, and nicotine replacement) within U.S. specialty treatment organizations.

METHODS

Administrators of a national sample of 372 treatment organizations participated in face-to-face structured interviews from October 2011 to December 2013. Participants provided data regarding smoking cessation services, revenue sources, and other organizational characteristics. Multiple imputation was used to address missing data, and models were estimated by using logistic regression with adjustment for clustering of organizations within states.

RESULTS

Greater reliance on Medicaid revenues was positively associated with the odds of offering counseling-based smoking cessation programs, sustained-release bupropion, varenicline, and nicotine replacement. For example, a 10-percentage point increase in Medicaid revenues was associated with a 12% increase in the odds of offering a smoking cessation program. Reliance on private insurance revenues was positively associated with the odds of offering the three medications.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings point to future potential increases in the availability of smoking cessation services in the context of expanding insurance coverage under health care reform. Longitudinal research will be needed to examine whether this impact is realized.

Factors Linked to Substance Use Disorder Counselors' (Non)Implementation Likelihood of Tobacco Cessation 5 A's, Counseling, and Pharmacotherapy

STUDY BACKGROUND

Despite efforts to promote the use of tobacco cessation services (TCS), implementation extensiveness remains limited. This study investigated three factors (cognitive, behavioral, environmental) identified by social cognitive theory as predictors of substance use disorder counselors' likelihood of use versus non-use of tobacco cessation (TC) 5 A's (ask patients about tobacco use, advise to quit, assess willingness to quit, assist in quitting, arrange for follow-up contact), counseling, and pharmacotherapy with their patients who smoke cigarettes.

METHODS

Data were collected in 2010 from 942 counselors working in 257 treatment programs that offered TCS. Cognitive factors included perceived job competence and TC attitudes. Behavioral factors encompassed TC-related skills and general training. External factors consisted of TC financial resource availability and coworker TC attitudes. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models with nested data.

RESULTS

Approximately 86% of counselors used the 5 A's, 76% used counseling, and 53% used pharmacotherapy. When counselors had greater TC-related skills and greater general training they were more likely to implement the 5 A's. Implementation of counseling was more likely when counselors had more positive attitudes toward TC treatment, greater general training, greater financial resource availability, and when coworkers had more positive attitudes toward TC treatment. Implementation of pharmacotherapy was more likely when counselors had more positive attitudes toward TC treatment, greater general training, and greater financial resource availability.

CONCLUSION

Findings indicate that interventions to promote TCS implementation should consider all three factors simultaneously as suggested by social cognitive theory.

Environmental tobacco smoke exposure among smokers and non-smokers receiving outpatient substance abuse treatment

INTRODUCTION

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) has been linked to numerous health problems. While research has demonstrated high prevalence of tobacco use among individuals receiving treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs), no studies have examined ETS among individuals receiving treatment for SUDs, paying specific attention to non-smokers who may be at risk for high exposure to ETS.

METHODS

Participants (N=261) enrolled in outpatient substance abuse treatment completed a survey, in which 14 items were used to quantify ETS exposure and smoking policies across several environments.

RESULTS

Among smokers, 85% reported that their significant others also smoked as compared to 15% among non-smokers (χ(2)=6.624, p<.05). A logistic regression examined the characteristics that predicted smoking in the home. The overall model was significant, (χ(2)=36.046, p<.0005) with variables that independently predicted smoking in the home included having less than a high school diploma, being female, and living with a smoker. Income, age, and living with children were not found to be significant. Overall, 42% white collar workers 26% of service workers and 30% of blue collar workers reported no exposure to ETS. Sixty-seven percent of smokers strongly agreed or agreed that the hazards of secondhand smoke have been clearly demonstrated versus 58% of non-smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Smokers and non-smokers enrolled in outpatient substance abuse treatment are frequently exposed to ETS at home, work, and in social settings. The dangers of ETS should be addressed among this population through education, smoke-free policies, and cessation resources, with help from their treatment facility.

Understanding counselors' implementation of tobacco cessation services with patients

This study aimed to understand substance use disorder counselors' implementation of evidence-based tobacco cessation services (TCS) with their patients who smoke. Drawing from an established adoption of innovations framework, we investigated the association between counselors' perceptions of the availability of TCS (both pharmacotherapies and behavioral treatments) in their treatment program and the implementation of TCS (both pharmacotherapies and behavioral treatments) with their patients who smoke and whether this association is moderated by the strength of an organization's climate for implementation and the fit of the innovation with users' values. Data were collected in 2010 from 682 counselors working in 239 treatment programs across the U.S. that offer evidence-based TCS. Mixed-effect models showed that perceived availability of TCS was related with greater TCS implementation. This relationship was moderated by several indicators of climate for implementation but not by the fit of the innovation with users' values.

Clinicians' perceptions of implementation extensiveness of 100% tobacco free practices: a longitudinal study of New York state

In 2008, the state of New York required substance use disorder treatment organizations to be 100% tobacco-free. This longitudinal study examined clinicians' perceptions of the implementation extensiveness of the tobacco-free practices approximately 10-12 months (Time 1) and 20-24 months (Time 2) post regulation and investigated whether clinicians' commitment to change and use of provided resources at Time 1 predicts perceptions of implementation extensiveness at Time 2. Clinicians (N = 287) noted a mean implementation of 5.60 patient practices (0-10 scale), 2.33 visitor practices (0-8 scale), and 6.66 employee practices (0-12 scale) at Time 1. At Time 2, clinicians perceived a mean implementation of 5.95 patient practices (no increase from Time 1), 2.89 visitor practices (increase from Time 1), and 7.12 employee practices (no increase from Time 1). Commitment to change and use of resources positively predicted perceived implementation extensiveness of visitor and employee practices. The use of resources positively predicted implementation for patient practices.

Effective Clinical Supervision in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs and Counselor Job Performance

When mental health counselors have limited and/or inadequate training in substance use disorders (SUDs), effective clinical supervision (ECS) may advance their professional development. The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether ECS is related to the job performance of SUD counselors. Data were obtained in person via paper-and-pencil surveys from 392 matched SUD counselor-clinical supervisor dyads working in 27 SUD treatment organizations across the United States. ECS was rated by counselors and measured with five multi-item scales (i.e., sponsoring counselors' careers, providing challenging assignments, role modeling, accepting/confirming counselors' competence, overall supervisor task proficiency). Clinical supervisors rated counselors' job performance, which was measured with two multi-item scales (i.e., task performance, performance within supervisory relationship). Using mixed-effects models, we found that most aspects of ECS are related to SUD counselor job performance. Thus, ECS may indeed enhance counselors' task performance and performance within the supervisory relationship, and, as a consequence, offset limited formal SUD training.