Breaking Ground in Treating Tobacco Dependence at a Women's Treatment Center

Abstract

Tobacco dependence is prevalent among persons in substance abuse treatment, but specific services to address this addiction remain sparse. This study examines the impact of a policy change in a women's treatment center as it transitioned to a tobacco-free program. Retrospective data collected 18 months prior to the transition were compared to data 18 months after policy implementation to examine program completion and discharge status rates. Data indicate staff-initiated discharges increased initially, then returned to preimplementation levels; client-initiated early departures remained significantly higher even after an initial 3-month phase-in period. Even a well-planned and evidence-informed programming change to tobacco-free programming has the potential for significant impact on the treatment climate and negative treatment outcome.

Keywords:

• policy implementation
• substance abuse
• tobacco dependence
• treatment of tobacco dependence
• treatment outcome
• women's treatment