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Quitting smoking: Quitlines success
May 22nd, 2010
In the world of extremely difficult smoking-cessation (quitting smoking), telephone-based programs are apparently having some real success.
Quitting smoking with quitlines
According to a recent summary-analysis (we call these meta-analyses) of research done on Smoking Cessation Quitlines (CSQs), smokers who call and participate are 1.5 times more likely to quit! These are roughly the same numbers we see for people who use nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs, like the nicotine patch, gum, or lozenge), which are the most successful therapies we’ve got. Not bad when you consider that most quitlines are free to users.
What do quitlines do?
Once a user interested in quitting contacts a CSQ, they are taken through an assessment procedure. The California one is apparently pretty long, lasting 30-40 minutes. Don’t worry, the first call is the longest. Past this point, the lines’ activities vary greatly depending on the specific provider. Some offer phone-based counseling only, others also mail materials, and some offer recorded messages, on-demand counseling, counselor callback, and even access to medication (like patches, gum, or bupropion). Since state-based ones are free, it’s a good idea to make the call and see what your state offers. If you’re an addiction professional, or a psychologist with clients that want to quit smoking but can’t seem to shake it, this might be a great suggestion for them.
Can quitlines be used for other addictions?
Phone-based interventions have already been used for some addiction problems (mostly problem drinking), but usually as a supplement to face-to-face treatment. Still, given the relatively low cost associated, it seems that establishing such a tool for problem drinkers that doesn’t include a face-to-face interaction could be a viable option. Since it was state-based public health officials that made CSQs happen through lobbying, it seems that any addiction, or mental health, problem that is prevalent enough to warrant such attention (and such expenditures) may benefit from a little quitline love.
Citation:
Lichtenstein, E., Zhu, S.H., Tedeschi, G.J. (2010). Smoking cessation Quitlines: An underrecognized intervention success story. American Psychologist, 65, 252-261.
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| Posted in: Drugs, Education Tags: addiction, addiction counselor, bupropion, california, cessation, drinking, meta, nicotine, patch, phone, psychologist, quitline, quitting, smoking quit, state, supplement, telephone |
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2 Responses to “Quitting smoking: Quitlines success”Leave a Reply | |
An excellent and timely post. I have a feeling that online support will help for alcohol and other drugs as well. Anything that ties you into a social network of fellow abstainers is an advantage during a quit attempt.
.-= Dirk Hanson´s last blog ..Cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis =-.
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