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Benefits of and Barriers to Providing Smoking Treatment in Methadone Clinics: Findings from a National Study
Author(s) -
McCool Robert Mark,
Richter Kimber Paschall,
Choi Won S.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1080/10550490591003693
Subject(s) - methadone , medicine , addiction , family medicine , addiction treatment , smoking cessation , methadone maintenance , drug treatment , psychiatry , pathology
Although smoking increases morbidity and mortality among patients in addictions clinics, few clinics provide routine smoking treatment. To understand staff attitudes toward treatment, we surveyed leaders of outpatient methadone treatment clinics nationwide. Our response rate was 59% (408/697). Most clinic leaders thought they should provide smoking treatment (76%) or refer patients for care (91%); however, fewer than half of these had provided treatment in the month prior to the survey. Leaders said smoking treatment would benefit their clinics, patients and communities, but said barriers—primarily insufficient staff training—‐prevented routine care. Addressing these barriers could increase smoking treatment in addictions clinics and save lives.