Tobacco use disorder is still a major cause of preventable death that affects individuals with mental illness or other addictions to a great degree. Treatments are effective yet underutilized. Practice guidelines recommend that all smokers trying to quit should use pharmacotherapy as a first-line treatment. However, reviews suggest that use is much less; fewer than one out of every 3 smokers who try to quit uses an FDA-approved smoking cessation medication. Tobacco withdrawal causes clinically significant symptoms of agitation, anxiety, restlessness, and impaired concentration. Medications are effective in reducing these withdrawal symptoms and at least doubling the smoker’s chance of success in quitting smoking. Pharmacotherapy may be even more important in smokers with mental illness or other addictions as they have higher levels of dependence than other smokers. This educational activity will review updates in evidence based treatments for tobacco use disorder.

Physicians, nurses, and healthcare teams who are treating patients with substance use disorder (SUD).

Jill M. Williams, MD | Professor Psychiatry; Director, Division Addiction Psychiatry; Robert Wood Jonson Medical School

In order to receive maximum credit, learners must: 

1. Review the materials provided in this module.
2. Earn a minimum cumulative score of 80% on the post-test. 
3. Complete an evaluation to assess satisfaction and plans for individual and/or team practice change.
4. Follow instructions at the end of the course regarding how to retrieve a certificate.* 

*Credit will not be awarded unless all components of the program are completed.  Partial credit will not be awarded.

Core Competencies as a result of participating in this activity:   
Interpersonal Skills and Communication
Medical Knowledge
Patient Care 

In order to receive maximum credit, learners must: 

1. Review the materials provided in this module.
2. Earn a minimum cumulative score of 80% on the post-test. 
3. Complete an evaluation to assess satisfaction and plans for individual and/or team practice change.
4. Follow instructions at the end of the course regarding how to retrieve a certificate.* 

*Credit will not be awarded unless all components of the program are completed.  Partial credit will not be awarded.