Center for Tobacco Independence

Tobacco and other substances, including alcohol, opioids, stimulants, and cannabis, are often used in conjunction with each other. The prevalence of comorbid tobacco and other substance use is associated with a wide range of deficits in physical, psychological, and behavioral outcomes. This webinar will provide an overview of the various underlying mechanisms contributing to comorbid tobacco and other substance use, and will present a rationale for treating tobacco use disorder and other substance use disorders concurrently. Presenter: Edward J. Perka, Jr., CASAC, ICADC,…

In order to effectively treat Tobacco Use Disorder, a healthcare provider requires a specific combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities, along with affirmative attitudes, values, and beliefs that support them in this important and challenging work. Many providers already have key foundational attributes and abilities such as compassion, empathy, and genuineness, as well as engagement skills, counseling theory, and experience with substance use disorders. Building on these strengths that are already present, CTI’s “Treating Tobacco Together: Essential Skills Training” provides participants with the…

In March 2021, MaineHealth’s Center for Tobacco Independence (CTI) enlisted Hart Consulting’s services to understand more about tobacco use among Maine’s veterans. The discovery project included three components: focus groups with veterans, key informant interviews with veteran service organizations, and a web scan of state and federal resources for veterans on tobacco use. This presentation will share the findings from the project including Maine veterans’ experiences with tobacco use, interest in stopping the use of tobacco, membership support for not allowing smoking in…