The peer-to-peer tobacco dependence recovery program

Authors and presenters:
Chad D. Morris, Associate Professor,
Behavioral Health and Wellness Program,
University of Colorado, Denver, USA

Cynthia J. Wang
Clinical Director, Behavioral Health and Wellness Program, University of Colorado, Denver, USA

Abstract
Persons with mental illnesses and addictions disorders use tobacco more than the general population and suffer greatly from their tobacco use. Annually, over 200,000 of the 443,000 premature deaths from smoking in the U.S. are estimated to occur among persons with behavioural health disorders. There is a critical need for interventions tailored to this population’s specific characteristics. As a complement to provider-driven services, the Peer-to-Peer Tobacco Dependence Recovery Program was developed from the knowledge base regarding tobacco dependence treatment, curricula from promising peer programs, expert review, and peer specialist input. Initiated in two states, Colorado and California, the program utilizes an ‘embedded model’ in which peer providers are paid staff within outpatient treatment settings. A total of 106 peer advocates and supervisors have been trained to conduct the program at 51 mental health and/or substance use treatment agencies, including three Veterans Administration clinics. This presentation will describe: 1) The evidence base for providing tobacco cessation services to the population of interest, 2) A newly developed manualized and peer-led intervention to enhance tobacco cessation, 3) Ongoing research to study the reach and effectiveness of this novel program, and 4) The measures taken to ensure program sustainability.

Source of funding: The University of California San Francisco, Smoking Cessation Leadership Center, The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Tobacco Cessation Initiatives County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health Tobacco Control and Prevention Program

Declaration of interest: none

About the presenters
Dr. Morris is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Denver, Department of Psychiatry. He is the Director of the Behavioral Health and Wellness Program, and also directs the Postdoctoral Fellowship in Administration and Evaluation Psychology. He is the principal investigator of multiple studies and clinical trials exploring the effectiveness of psychosocial and pharmacological tobacco cessation strategies for both youth and adults. Dr. Morris has worked with more than 15 US states in implementing tobacco cessation programming and tobacco free policies. He is a Past-President of the Colorado Psychological Association, and a licensed psychologist.

Dr. Cynthia Wang is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She works as a clinical faculty member at the University of Colorado Denver in the Counseling Psychology and Counselor Education Program. She is the newly appointed Clinical Director for the Behavioral Health and Wellness Program at the University of Colorado Denver. Currently, Dr. Wang serves as President of the Colorado Psychological Association (CPA). She is the founder the Society for the Advancement of Multiculturalism and Diversity (SAMD), a Division of the CPA.