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Smoking cessation for Australian methadone clients
Jenny Bowman, Associate Professor, School of Psychology,
University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Abstract
Introduction:
Research in the US has found methadone clients to be especially likely to smoke, and unlikely to quit. This study was the first to examine the cessation behaviours and motivations of a sample of Australian methadone clients.
Methods:
Methadone clients (n=103), recruited through two clinics in NSW Australia, completed a self-administered questionnaire.
Results:
Eighty-four percent currently smoked; with a quit ratio of only 9.6%. Just over half of smokers reported ever having made a quit attempt: approximately one quarter of these having done so within the last year. A much greater proportion (58%) of this same group however, reported a period of smoking abstinence of 24 hours or more within the last year: many apparently not considered a quit attempt . More than half of smokers (54%) were in the precontemplation stage, and one third were classified as hard core smokers . Very high levels of depression, anxiety and stress were indicated, and associations identified with perceptions of the pros/cons of smoking and self-efficacy.
Conclusions:
Australian methadone clients need to be provided with smoking cessation support in a manner which takes account of their smoking and cessation behaviours and motivations, as well as psychological co-morbidity and general social disadvantage.
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About the presenter
Jenny Bowman is an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Newcastle. Her multidisciplinary, applied research involves investigating the behavioural and structural determinants of health, and the evaluation of intervention strategies designed to address them. An enduring concern lies with reducing the harm arising from tobacco smoking for high risk and vulnerable groups such as people with substance use or mental health problems. She is a registered psychologist, a member of the Australian Psychological Society and the College of Health Psychologists, and is currently serving as President of the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine.
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