Counselors' Knowledge of the Adoption of Tobacco Cessation Medications in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

This study assessed counselors' knowledge of the adoption of evidence-based tobacco cessation medications (TCMs)-varenicline, bupropion, and five nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs)-and predictors of adoption in diverse substance abuse treatment settings. We used Managing Effective Relationships in Treatment Services (MERITS I) data from 658 counselors working in 26 programs. Adoption of varenicline was reported by 16% of counselors, bupropion by 11%, and NRTs by 27%. Knowledge of the adoption of all types of TCMs was more likely to be reported by counselors who worked in treatment programs that adhered less to a 12-step orientation and restricted outdoor smoking for employees. Several additional unique predictors of varenicline and NRTs were identified. (Am J Addict 2010;00: 1-7).