Pilot Study of a Tailored Smoking Cessation Intervention for Individuals in Treatment for Opioid Dependence

Over 85% of opioid-dependent individuals in methadone treatment smoke cigarettes; however, smoking cessation interventions are minimally effective in this population. To better help opioid-dependent individuals quit smoking, we developed and pilot-tested an intervention, based in the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model of behavior change, which could be tailored to address individual barriers to smoking cessation in this population.

We randomized participants (n = 83) in methadone treatment to the eight-session, IMB model-based, intervention plus nicotine replacement therapy (intervention, n = 41) or a facilitated referral to the state Quitline (control, n = 42). All participants completed assessments at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.

Intervention participants completed a median of five sessions (interquartile range [IQR] 3-8) and had significantly higher intervention satisfaction than control participants. Intervention participants reported smoking significantly fewer cigarettes per day at 3 months (median [IQR] = 6 [4-15]) and 6 months (median [IQR] = 8 [4-14]) as compared control participants at 3 months (median [IQR] = 10 [5-20]) and 6 months (median [IQR] = 10 [6-20]). Fifty-six percent of the intervention group and 41% of the control group a made a quit attempt during the study (p = .16). At 3 months, 7% (n = 3) of intervention participants and none of the control participants were abstinent from smoking (p = .23). At 6 months, 2% of participants in both groups were abstinent. Twenty-four percent and 10% of the intervention and control group participants, respectively, reported 20 or more smoke-free days (p = .43).

An IMB model-based smoking cessation intervention for opioid-dependent smokers is feasible and acceptable in methadone treatment and may help methadone maintained smokers cut down on their smoking.

This is the first study of a tailored, IMB Model-based, smoking cessation intervention for opioid dependent smokers. Results showed that opioid dependent smokers are willing and able to participate in an IMB model-based smoking cessation intervention, and this intervention may help this population cut down on their smoking. Also, the Quitline seems less feasible and acceptable for this population than a face-to-face intervention. Further research is needed to determine how to integrate smoking cessation treatment into methadone programs and how to improve interventions so that treatment gains can lead to long-term abstinence in this population.