ABSTRACT
Introduction
In Australia, people undergoing inpatient treatment for alcohol and other drug (AOD) use disorders have a high prevalence of tobacco smoking. Smoking cessation support is routinely offered to clients within inpatient withdrawal settings, but continued support post-discharge typically is not. The current study qualitatively explores attitudes and experiences of Quitline counsellors involved in a two-armed trial for clients with provision of 12 weeks of nicotine vaping products (NVPs) or combination nicotine replacement therapy (cNRT).
Methods
Two focus groups of Quitline counsellors (six per group) explored how they felt about training received, their beliefs and attitudes about NVPs and cNRT for smoking cessation for AOD-use population and their wider experience supporting AOD clients. Data were inductively coded.
Results
Six themes were identified: (i) Counsellor Readiness and Professional Adaptation to Emerging Cessation Tools; (ii) Addressing Complexity: Behavioural Support in Multi-Substance Recovery Contexts; (iii) Client Preferences and Product Engagement in Cessation Support; (iv) Continuity of Care: Bridging Residential Treatment and Community Support; (v) Enablers of Quality Practice: Training, Resources and Organisational Support; and (vi) Service Integration and Boundary Management in Specialised Populations.
Discussion and Conclusions
The agility of Quitline services models their potential to partner with clinical research teams and AOD services to build the evidence-base around the effectiveness of reduced-harm nicotine products for people with complex needs. The Victorian Quitline partnership with the NEAT trial produced a comprehensive service model assisting people seeking AOD treatment to quit smoking that highlights the workforce as a modifiable factor by involving staff in evidence-building adaptability.