Beneficial effects of treatment of nicotine dependence during an inpatient substance abuse treatment program

Article Abstract:

While it has been clearly established that nicotine is physically addicting, tobacco dependence is generally considered more acceptable and less disruptive than alcohol or drug addiction. It is also assumed that individuals being treated for other addictions should not try to quit smoking at the same time, because this might be too stressful and prevent cessation of the drinking or drug abuse. However, there is no evidence that smoking cessation does in fact interfere with recovery from other addictions. When smoking was banned in a veteran's hospital in all areas including the drug dependence treatment program, a smoking cessation component was introduced into this inpatient drug treatment unit. The 455 patients admitted to the unit before the no-smoking policy were compared with the 457 patients admitted after the change. The data were gathered using questionnaires filled out by the patients. Overall, 76 percent of patients were current cigarette smokers. The percentage that said they were not smoking regularly was 19 percent before the no-smoking policy but 58 percent after. Of the patients admitted after the policy change, 41 percent abstained from smoking for over one week of their total stay in the inpatient program. The number of patients who dropped out of the drug treatment program before finishing it did not change with the institution of the no-smoking policy. It is concluded that adding a smoking cessation component to an inpatient drug treatment program leads patients to reduce their smoking temporarily and to feel increased motivation to quit smoking altogether. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Methods, Evaluation, Smoking cessation programs, Smoking cessation, Substance abuse treatment, Tobacco habit, Drug treatment centers

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Determinants of compliance with a national smoke-free hospital standard

Article Abstract:

Hospitals with psychiatric and abuse treatment wards present the greatest dilemma to establishing nationwide smoke-free hospitals. Of 934 accredited hospitals surveyed, 313 had psychiatric beds. Only 134 (43%) had smoke-free psychiatric wards. Of 190 hospitals with inpatient substance abuse beds, only 66 (35%) were smoke-free in those wards. Hospitals that did not require smoke-free policies in psychiatric wards cited difficulty relating to enforcement, such patient management and negative treatment outcomes. Most hospitals surveyed (76%) were able to enforce smoking bans within a year. Having a person at the hospital dedicated to enforcing the no-smoking policy greatly improved the chances of success. The problem of compliance among psychiatric patients and the chemically dependent needs to be resolved before hospitals can be totally smoke-free. In 1992, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations began requiring acute care accredited hospitals to prohibit smoking.

Health aspects, Social aspects, Hospitals, Workplace smoking, Environmental policy, Psychiatric hospital patients

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Medications to treat alcohol dependence: adding to the continuum of care

Article Abstract:

Research findings indicate that a combination of medication and brief behavioral support offers many patients with alcohol dependence an effective alternative to group-based counseling. The management of alcohol dependence by primary care physicians and psychiatrists through medications is discussed.

Individual and family services, Other Individual and Family Services, Alcoholics Rehabilitation, Drug therapy, Alcoholism, Alcoholism treatment, Clinical report

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