Health Services

Nicotine dependence is common among drug and alcohol dependent patients. This multi-site trial evaluated the effectiveness of smoking-cessation treatment with transdermal nicotine patch replacement (SC) as an adjunct to treatment-as-usual for illicit substance abuse (TAU). Cigarette smokers from five methadone-maintenance clinics and two drug and alcohol dependence treatment programs were randomly assigned to receive either SC as an adjunct to usual care or TAU.

NIDA funds a broad portfolio of research addressing drug abuse in the context of the justice system. Drug abuse and crime are highly correlated in both the adult criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system. Estimates suggest that over half of individuals in prison and nearly two thirds of individuals in jails met criteria for drug dependence or misuse. ¹ Among adolescents involved in serious offenses, substance dependence or misuse is approximately 3-4 times higher than that of the general population of adolescents.