5 A's Smoking Cessation with Recovering Women in Treatment

Smoking rates for addicted persons are estimated at greater than 70% and the health risks for women are well documented. This article describes interdisciplinary collaboration in the adoption of behavioral counseling, the 5A's smoking cessation intervention, for women in addictions treatment. Funded by the South Carolina March of Dimes, the program focused on changing the smoking culture of the treatment center; training treatment staff and nursing students in the 5 A's approach; implementing 5 A's activities and groups; implementing assessment of nicotine dependence; and including smoking cessation in treatment plans. System and client outcomes are described, along with limitations and implications.