Tobacco and Alcohol Use in People With Mild/Moderate Intellectual Disabilities: Giving Voice to Their Health Promotion Needs

BackgroundConcerns have been raised about the use/misuse of tobacco and alcohol by people with mild/moderate intellectual disabilities. Aiming to address an identified gap in the current evidence base, this study sought to gain an understanding of the tobacco- and alcohol-related health promotion needs of this client group. MethodsInformed by the principles of social cognitive theory, data were collected using focus group and telephone interviews. Participants were 16 people with intellectual disabilities, two family carers and 15 health and social care professionals. Data were analysed using the Framework approach. FindingsFour themes were described: being like others; social and emotional influences; understandings, misunderstandings and learning from experience; and choices and challenges. Reasons for smoking and drinking alcohol echoed those of the general population; however, health promotion needs were more complex (e.g. linked to problems with consequential thinking; low levels of self-efficacy). ConclusionThis article provides insight into the tobacco- and alcohol-related health promotion needs ofpeople with intellectual disabilities. There is a needfor integrated service provision that addresses both personal and environmental influences on behaviour.