On World No Tobacco Day, Groups Highlights Tobacco Cessation Success in Maine – and a Path Forward Nationwide

PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In recognition of World No Tobacco Day, Groups is spotlighting its pioneering efforts to reduce tobacco use among its members. What began as a pilot in Maine has evolved into a powerful complement to opioid addiction recovery, with early results showing promising outcomes in member participation and behavior change. With 100% of staff in New England and nearly 50% of staff nationwide trained to provide tobacco cessation support, Groups is expanding this initiative to additional states in 2025.

“Recovery means healing the whole person,” said Dr. Jacob “Gus” Crothers, Chief Outcomes and Medical Officer at Groups. “We’re proud to give our members the most effective tools and support they need to cut down or quit tobacco and stay in recovery.”

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“Quitting tobacco products isn’t just about physical health—it’s also a recovery tool,” said Dr. Megan Britton, New England Medical Director at Groups. “In one of my recent groups, every member identified as a smoker—and as someone who wanted to quit. They shared stories, set a group quit date, exchanged support outside of the meeting, and thanked us for having their backs. That’s the magic of what we do.”

From Pilot to Proof: A Maine Success Story

Groups launched this initiative in Maine in late 2024 to close a critical gap in care. Research shows that smoking cessation interventions provided during substance use disorder treatment is associated with a 25% increased likelihood of long-term abstinence from alcohol and illicit drugs (Prochaska, Delucchi, & Hall, 2004). Yet, most people try to quit on their own, and only 3% succeed without help.

Groups set out to change that by offering:

• Access to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) dispensed directly from Groups’ offices
• Access to other prescription medications for tobacco cessation (bupropion and varenicline) for any interested members.
• Trained staff who deliver brief support intervention and referrals
• Education and support in both group and individual settings
• Connections to state and community resources like the Maine QuitLink

63.1% of surveyed members reported cutting down, quitting, or making a quit attempt in the past six months, more than 15x the national average for unsupported quit attempts.

One member shared: “I never thought of quitting until my counselor introduced me to the Maine Quit website and program.” Another said: “Groups goes one step further in addressing whole-body health, not just addiction in a vacuum."

A Timely Public Health Opportunity

With opioid overdose rates beginning to trend down in many states, this is a critical and timely moment to spotlight the lesser-known connection between quitting tobacco and maintaining recovery from opioids. Early results from the Maine pilot already point to the success of this integrated approach, with enrollment rates more than double the benchmark for quit attempts.

Expanding the Model: A New Standard of Care

Groups’ approach fits within its broader model for treating opioid use disorder: combining medication with group counseling, personalized care, and wraparound support. With strong early momentum, Groups is scaling its tobacco cessation support across new regions – embedding it into group discussions, medical visits, and everyday care.

This work aligns with public health guidance from the CDC and WHO, which urges expanded support for people with substance use disorders who want to quit tobacco products.

“At Groups, recovery means healing the whole person,” said Dr. Jacob “Gus” Crothers, Chief Outcomes and Medical Officer at Groups. “We’re proud to give our members the most effective tools and support they need to cut down or quit tobacco, stay in recovery, and live longer, healthier lives.”

About Groups

Groups is a national leader in outpatient treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), dedicated to making high-quality recovery accessible and affordable for everyone. Our proven approach combines medication-assisted treatment (MAT), group therapy, and personalized support to help members achieve lasting recovery in a supportive, judgment-free environment.

With 20 locations across Maine and New Hampshire—and more than 125 nationwide—Groups is expanding access to care through both in-person and virtual services. Together, we’re changing lives.

Learn more at joingroups.com.