A Pilot Text Messaging Intervention to Reduce Smoking in Office-based Buprenorphine and Inpatient Detoxification Patients

Mobile Phone Messaging to Support Smoking Cessation Among Office-based Buprenorphine and Inpatient Detoxification Patients: a Pilot Study

The primary purpose of this study is to understand the feasibility of a text messaging intervention developed by the National Cancer Institute, known as Smokefreetxt, to improve smoking cessation among opiate and/or alcohol dependent participants discharged from an inpatient detoxification unit and enrolled in an office-based buprenorphine program patients (OBBP). Participants will be randomized to 1) treatment as usual (TAU) comprised of informational pamphlets and information for a 1800 quit line; and a prescription for a nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (i.e. nicotine replacement patches based on the quantity of baseline self-reported smoking, or nicotine replacement gum (2mg) #10, for 28 days which is offered routinely to all inpatients at Bellevue at the time of discharge) versus the SmokeFreeTXT intervention plus prescriptions for NRT.

Inclusion Criteria:

• self-described every or some day smoker
• diagnosed with opiate dependence and/or alcohol dependence (DSM-IV) per Physician medical records (MISYS)
• Fluency in English and able to provide a written informed consent
• Currently owning a mobile phone with a working phone number
• Expected to reside in the New York City area for the next 12 months
• Understands and able to respond to the intervention text message

Exclusion Criteria:

• inability to read or understand English
• currently using nicotine replacement therapies (patch, gum, e-cigarettes), pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation such as bupropion (zyban, wellbutrin), varenicline (Chantix).
• suicidal or homicidal ideations
• any ongoing psychotic disorder, life-threatening medical or psychiatric condition
• leaves the inpatient detoxification unit prior to completing study enrollment
• is pregnant, nursing or planning to conceive within the duration of the study period