Addictions Mental Health Young People

The Tobacco Dependence Program is also dedicated to helping special populations—groups known to have high rates of tobacco use and low treatment accessibility. Our program trains professionals who work with special populations to provide tobacco dependence treatment services to their clients. In addition, they are also trained to deal with tobacco smoke pollution and to develop tobacco policy. This is done through consultation, technical assistance, and a wide range of educational programs. The program also offers a motivational workshop to provide assistance to staff members in dealing with their own tobacco use. The Special Populations consultants are skilled in working with tobacco issues and come to the Tobacco Dependence Program with over 50 years combined experience. They recognize the challenges of addressing tobacco with these populations and bring an awareness of the most up to date research to the agencies with whom they consult.

Tobacco Consultancy to Addictions Treatment Services

While the rate of smoking nationally has been declining to below 25% in the general population, among those who seek treatment for drug and alcohol problems that number remains above 80%. Actually, people requiring treatment for alcohol or drug problems are more
likely to die prematurely due to a tobacco-caused illness than due to the drug or alcohol problem that initially brought them to treatment.
The Addictions Component of the Tobacco Dependence Program aims to help substance abuse treatment programs also address tobacco issues and treat tobacco dependence more effectively. In addition to our concern about the health risk of continued tobacco use, we believe that addressing tobacco dependence is consistent with the mission of addictions treatment programs and that tobacco should be treated as seriously as other substances of dependence.

Tobacco Consultancy to Mental Health Agencies

Forty-two percent of all cigarettes smoked in the United States are consumed by individuals with a current mental illness. Smoking is much more common among patients with a previous psychiatric hospitalization, and a diagnosis of schizophrenia (85%), depression (65%), or mania (70%). This places them at a greater risk of suffering tobacco-caused illnesses than people without mental health problems.
The Mental Health Component of the Tobacco Dependence Program provides consultancy to mental health programs in New Jersey to help them address tobacco use by mental health patients and staff. Individuals with mental illness, and particularly people with severe and persistent mental illness, have historically been overlooked as needing treatment for tobacco dependence. Staff in our program have successfully developed and managed
nicotine dependence treatment programs within mental health settings. The focus of our work is on integrating tobacco dependence treatment into existing program services

Tobacco Consultancy for Young People's ServicesYouth Quit2Wi

nYoung people (high school and college age) have the highest smoking prevalence of any age group. While many agencies in New Jersey specifically focus on preventing tobacco use by young people, the Tobacco Dependence Program focuses on bringing tobacco dependence treatment services to young tobacco users.
Young people may be especially vulnerable to tobacco use, as they are specifically targeted by tobacco companies. In addition, they may be more susceptible to the glamorization of tobacco use and to peer pressure. Young people who use tobacco are 3 times more likely to drink alcohol, 8 times more likely to use marijuana, and 22 times more likely to use cocaine. Research shows that young people become as addicted to tobacco as adults, that they report regret in taking up tobacco use, and report interest in quitting.
The Tobacco Dependence Program disseminates information about quit programs designed specifically for young people. Trainings for professionals who work with young people have been conducted as part of conferences, continuing education seminars, full day events, staff development days, and staff in-services. Professionals are also assisted in policy development, an integral part of addressing tobacco with young people in schools and institutions.