Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
182,549 studies31 sourcesUpdated 50 min ago
Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDSubstance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy

Smoking cessation experiences during alcohol and cannabis treatment in substance use programmes in Catalonia: A qualitative study.

  • Nathália Rosa1
  • Marta Enríquez2,3
  • Judith Saura2,3,4,5
  • Ariadna Feliu4,6
  • Xavier Roca7,8
  • Magalí Andreu9
  • Antònia Raich9
  • Esteve Fernández2,3,4,5,10
  • Cristina Martínez2,3,4,11,12
12 affiliations
  1. 1Campus Docent Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVIC-UCC), Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. [email protected].
  2. 2Tobacco Control Unit, Cancer Control and Prevention Program, WHO Collaborating Center On Tobacco Control, Institut Català d'Oncologia, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
  3. 3Cancer Control and Prevention Group, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
  4. 4CIBER en Enfermedades Respiratorias, CIBERES, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
  5. 5Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  6. 6Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
  7. 7Addictive Behaviors Unit, Psychiatry Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.
  8. 8Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain.
  9. 9Mental Health Department, Althaia Xarxa Assistencial Universitària, Manresa, Barcelona, Spain.
  10. 10Department of Health, Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
  11. 11Department of Public Health, Mental Health, and Maternal and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing - Bellvitge Campus, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  12. 12Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
Read full textPDFDOICite

Abstract

Background

Tobacco use remains disproportionately high among people receiving treatment for alcohol or cannabis use, yet it is rarely addressed in substance use services. This study explored the lived experiences of people who smoke while undergoing treatment for alcohol and/or cannabis use, aiming to identify barriers and facilitators to integrating tobacco cessation into public substance use services.Methods

This phenomenological study formed part of the qualitative phase of an observational follow-up investigation conducted in Catalonia (Spain) with people receiving treatment for alcohol and/or cannabis use. In-depth, semi-structured video interviews were conducted with nine adults (seven men, two women; aged 22-67 years) attending Centres for the Care and Follow-up of Substance Use Disorders. Data were collected between May and October 2024 and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results

Five interconnected themes captured participants' experiences: (1) Tobacco use dynamics-smoking was perceived as an emotional regulator, ingrained habit, and possible substitute during abstinence from other substances; (2) Processes of reflection and change- participants favoured gradual, sequential approaches to cessation and reported heightened health awareness when reducing tobacco use; (3) Support networks and interpersonal relationships-family support and strong clinical alliances facilitated motivation, whereas inconsistent professional follow-up undermined it; (4) Stigma and social perceptions-internalised and external stigma about smoking and substance use shaped participants' attitudes toward quitting; and (5) Sustainability and relapse prevention strategies-continued professional support, access to affordable pharmacotherapy, and smoke-free environments were viewed as essential, yet often unavailable.Conclusions

Participants endorsed addressing tobacco cessation in alcohol and cannabis treatment but reported multiple structural, financial, and attitudinal barriers within public substance use services. Systematically integrating tobacco assessment, personalised counselling, and subsidised pharmacological support into these programmes could enhance cessation outcomes and potentially improve recovery outcomes for co-occurring substance use disorders. Findings support policy initiatives aimed at embedding comprehensive tobacco cessation pathways in Spanish addiction services.

Related

  1. Patients' experiences of and adherence to supervised high-intensity physical training integrated into specialised treatment for substance use disorders: study protocol for a qualitative collaborative health services study of facilitators and barriers.
    Nina Kavita Heggen Bahl, Marit Magnussen, Henrik Loe +2
    BMJ openPeer-reviewedCC BY-NCFull textEpidemiology & public healthEurope PMCCrossref
  2. Barriers to substance use disorder treatment among Asian Americans in New York City: A qualitative study of provider perspectives
    Sueun Hong, Megan Sanico, Haofan Yang +4
    PLOS Mental HealthPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textNeurosciencePsychiatry & mental healthPLOSEurope PMC
  3. Patient experiences of benzodiazepine tapering: a qualitative study of treatment in addiction care.
    Sofia Burmester, Cecilia Krüger, Johan Franck +1
    BMC psychiatryPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textEpidemiology & public healthEurope PMC
  4. Exploring Women's Experiences of Work Participation During Breast Cancer Treatment: A Qualitative Study.
    Lucia Cadorin, Anna Fortin, Sonja Cedrone +2
    Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policyPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textOncologyEurope PMC
  5. Developing an outcomes framework for greenspace programmes supporting individuals experiencing problem substance use: a scoping review and analytical synthesis
    Danilo Falzon, Wendy Masterton, Hannah Carver +8
    Frontiers in Public HealthPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Epidemiology & public healthFrontiers

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{rosa2026smoking,
  title = {{Smoking cessation experiences during alcohol and cannabis treatment in substance use programmes in Catalonia: A qualitative study.}},
  author = {Nathália Rosa and Marta Enríquez and Judith Saura and Ariadna Feliu and Xavier Roca and Magalí Andreu and Antònia Raich and Esteve Fernández and Cristina Martínez},
  journal = {Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1186/s13011-026-00756-z},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958289},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Smoking cessation experiences during alcohol and cannabis treatment in substance use programmes in Catalonia: A qualitative study.
AU  - Nathália Rosa
AU  - Marta Enríquez
AU  - Judith Saura
AU  - Ariadna Feliu
AU  - Xavier Roca
AU  - Magalí Andreu
AU  - Antònia Raich
AU  - Esteve Fernández
AU  - Cristina Martínez
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/01
JO  - Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy
DO  - 10.1186/s13011-026-00756-z
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958289
AB  - Background  Tobacco use remains disproportionately high among people receiving treatment for alcohol or cannabis use, yet it is rarely addressed in substance use services. This study explored the lived experiences of people who smoke while undergoing treatment for alcohol and/or cannabis use, aiming to identify barriers and facilitators to integrating tobacco cessation into public substance use services.Methods  This phenomenological study formed part of the qualitative phase of an observational follow-up investigation conducted in Catalonia (Spain) with people receiving treatment for alcohol and/or cannabis use. In-depth, semi-structured video interviews were conducted with nine adults (seven men, two women; aged 22-67 years) attending Centres for the Care and Follow-up of Substance Use Disorders. Data were collected between May and October 2024 and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results  Five interconnected themes captured participants' experiences: (1) Tobacco use dynamics-smoking was perceived as an emotional regulator, ingrained habit, and possible substitute during abstinence from other substances; (2) Processes of reflection and change- participants favoured gradual, sequential approaches to cessation and reported heightened health awareness when reducing tobacco use; (3) Support networks and interpersonal relationships-family support and strong clinical alliances facilitated motivation, whereas inconsistent professional follow-up undermined it; (4) Stigma and social perceptions-internalised and external stigma about smoking and substance use shaped participants' attitudes toward quitting; and (5) Sustainability and relapse prevention strategies-continued professional support, access to affordable pharmacotherapy, and smoke-free environments were viewed as essential, yet often unavailable.Conclusions  Participants endorsed addressing tobacco cessation in alcohol and cannabis treatment but reported multiple structural, financial, and attitudinal barriers within public substance use services. Systematically integrating tobacco assessment, personalised counselling, and subsidised pharmacological support into these programmes could enhance cessation outcomes and potentially improve recovery outcomes for co-occurring substance use disorders. Findings support policy initiatives aimed at embedding comprehensive tobacco cessation pathways in Spanish addiction services.
SN  - 1747-597X
ER  -