UCSF

Background and objectives

Little is known about whether people in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment are at risk for multiple-tobacco use. We examined the factors associated with dual- and polytobacco use among clients in SUD treatment.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2019 among 562 clients (M_age  = 39, 74% male) in 20 residential SUD treatment programs in California, USA. The outcomes included single-, dual- (use of two products), and polytobacco use (use of three of more products). Independent variables were nicotine dependence, quitting-related factors, blunt/spliff use, and health-related factors. A multinomial model examined associations between the independent variables and the outcome, controlling for demographics, and time in treatment.

Results

Overall, 32.6%, 18.9%, and 14.0% of the sample were single-, dual-, and polytobacco users, respectively. Factors associated with increased odds of polytobacco use included greater nicotine dependence (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.19, 2.16), ever using e-cigarettes for quitting (AOR = 4.56; 95% CI = 2.23, 9.34), and past 30-day use of blunt/spliff (AOR = 2.96; 95% CI = 1.48, 5.89). Factors associated with increased odds of dual use were ever using e-cigarettes for quitting (AOR = 3.19; 95% CI = 1.79, 5.66) and reporting more mentally unhealthy days (AOR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.02, 1.07).

Conclusion and scientific significance

This study extends the literature on tobacco use among people in SUD treatment by revealing the high prevalence of dual- and polytobacco use and the unique characteristics of users. The findings have implications for interventions reducing all types of tobacco use in this understudied population.