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Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this presentation attendees will be able to:
- Explain how tobacco cessation is a critical aspect of wellness and recovery for persons with mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders.
- Recognize the critical need for peer driven services that supplement existing tobacco cessation services.
- Describe an innovative Peer to Peer Tobacco Recovery Program and outcomes across multiple states.
Key Points: Compared to the general population, individuals with mental illnesses and addictions have higher rates of tobacco use, are more nicotine dependent, and suffer greater related disability and premature deaths. There is a critical need to provide a range of tobacco cessation services to these individuals. Peer-to-peer interventions are an important augmentation to provider-driven cessation strategies. Peers are often able to provide services in a less threatening way, and clients report high satisfaction with peer delivered services. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA), along with other national expert panels, agree peer mentors are essential to the future of healthcare. The Behavioral Health & Wellness Program has trained over 500 Peer Advocates, across eight states, on the Peer-to-Peer Tobacco Recovery Program. The program engages individuals at all motivational levels, including even those persons not yet considering a quit attempt.
Educational Experience: During this presentation, the innovative components of this program will be detailed, these being community awareness building tools, a brief motivational enhancement intervention, positive social networking strategies, and a structured 6-session group.
Benefits: Based on data from multiple states, the program’s significant tobacco use reduction and cessation outcomes will be shared. Additional findings include significant increases in both motivation to quit and confidence to make a quit attempt.