title: Addressing smoking cessation in methadone programs.
abstract: Little is known about how well methadone programs address smoking cessation. We describe the frequency of smoking cessation counseling, and factors affecting its provision in methadone programs. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of methadone patients and their counselors. Of 575 patients, 76% were eligible smokers. Although only 48% of patients reported receiving smoking cessation counseling within the previous six months, 97% of counselors reported providing it (p < 0.0001). Time with one counselor was significantly associated with patient report of receiving smoking cessation counseling (OR 1.19 [95% CI 1.04-1.36]). Although addiction counseling is required in methadone programs, nicotine addiction is addressed less than half the time. Methadone programs should prioritize the provision of effective smoking cessation and facilitate continuity of patient-counselor relationships.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 2024 East Monument Street, Room 2-516, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. yolsen@jhsp.edu
authors.forename: Yngvild
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Alford
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Horton
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone