Dr Fiona Dobbie is a Reader in Public Health and Director of Research at the Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh. She specialises in the design, delivery and evaluation of complex interventions aimed at reducing health harms in vulnerable and underserved populations, with a particular focus on children and young people. Her research focuses on nicotine products, gambling-related harm, and public health responses to addiction, with expertise in applied qualitative methods, process evaluation and social network research. She collaborates with policy-makers, health services, and third-sector organisations to translate evidence into practice and inform policy.

Abstract

Drugs and Alcohol Service users Help to Exit Smoking (DASHES): Results from a development and feasibility study

Globally, drug and alcohol service users often lack access to smoking cessation support despite high smoking rates and interest in quitting. This presentation shares findings from the DASHES study, which aimed to co-create and test a tailored, trauma-informed smoking reduction and cessation service for those in addiction recovery. Intervention development involved a rapid literature review and a peer-led survey with 96 service users across central Scotland, followed by telephone interviews with 11 participants. Two expert workshops were also conducted. In the feasibility phase, the DASHES intervention was delivered to 20 service users and staff across two recovery centres from January to July 2024. A process evaluation ran parallel to the feasibility study. The DASHES intervention provided a flexible, tailored approach, offering behavioural support and free NRT and vapes via a Smoke Free app. Feasibility results were positive: successful recruitment and strong client engagement; 14 out of 20 clients attempted to quit or reduce smoking; eight were smoke-free at four weeks, and five remained abstinent at twelve weeks. People in recovery from drugs and alcohol want to address their smoking behaviour. Standard UK NHS stop smoking services do not adequately support people in recovery from problematic drugs and alcohol (PDA). DASHES provided a tailored, flexible and trauma-informed smoking reduction and cessation intervention to support people with PDA. Further pilot testing across multiple sites is needed.