Electronic cigarettes in adults in outpatient substance use treatment: Awareness, perceptions, use, and reasons for use. (24th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peters, Erica N.; Harrell, Paul T.; Hendricks, Peter S.; O'Grady, Kevin E.; Pickworth, Wallace B.; Vocci, Frank J.
• Is Part Of: American journal on addictions. Volume 24:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 233
• Page End: 239
• Publication Date: 2015-03-24
• Subjects: Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.86005
• DOI: 10.1111/ajad.12206
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1055-0496

Abstract

Abstract : Background and Objectives: Most studies on e‐cigarettes have come from population‐based surveys. The current research aimed to provide initial data on e‐cigarette awareness, perceptions, use, and reasons for use among adults seeking substance use treatment. Methods: A survey was conducted among 198 participants ≥18 years old in a community‐based outpatient substance use treatment program. Results: Of the 198 participants, 69% currently smoked cigarettes, 92% were aware of e‐cigarettes, and 58% had ever used e‐cigarettes. The proportion of the number of participants who had ever used e‐cigarettes to the number who currently smoked (89.7%) appeared higher than the corresponding proportion in the 2012–13 National Adult Tobacco Survey (78.3%). Almost half of the sample who reported ever using e‐cigarettes endorsed quitting or reducing smoking as a reason for use, and 32% endorsed reasons for use relating to curiosity/experimentation. A greater likelihood of e‐cigarette ever‐use was significantly associated with younger age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.94, 95%confidence interval [CI] = 0.90, 0.98) and perceptions related to using e‐cigarettes in public places where smoking cigarettes is not allowed (AOR = 2.96, 95%CI = 1.18, 7.42) but was not associated with primary drug of choice. Discussion and Conclusions: E‐cigarette use in adults seeking substance use treatment appears higher than it is in the US general population of smokers. The high frequency of use may be due to curiosity/experimentation or attempts to quit or reduce smoking. Scientific Significance: Future research may consider how e‐cigarettes interact with other substance use and affect high rates of nicotine and tobacco use in this population. (Am J Addict 2015;24:233–239)