Smoking Cessation Treatment with Transdermal Nicotine Replacement Therapy in Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Programs

Nicotine dependence is common among drug and alcohol dependent patients. This multi-site trial evaluated the effectiveness of smoking-cessation treatment with transdermal nicotine patch replacement (SC) as an adjunct to treatment-as-usual for illicit substance abuse (TAU). Cigarette smokers from five methadone-maintenance clinics and two drug and alcohol dependence treatment programs were randomly assigned to receive either SC as an adjunct to usual care or TAU. SC consisted of 1 week of group counseling before the target quit date and 8 weeks of group counseling plus transdermal nicotine patch replacement treatment after the target quit date.