Subjective reactivity to the first cigarette of the day as a predictor of smoking relapse: a preliminary study

Drug Alcohol Depend. 2007 Jul 10;89(2-3):302-5. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2007.01.011. Epub 2007 Feb 22.

Abstract

We examined subjective responses to smoking the first cigarette of the day and investigated how these responses related to smoking cessation treatment outcome. Data from participants (N=207) in a clinical trial of message framing for smoking cessation with bupropion, obtained prior to the targeted quit day, were used to examine indices of craving, withdrawal, and affect before and after smoking the first cigarette of the day. After smoking the initial cigarette, craving, withdrawal symptoms, and negative affect were lessened, and positive affect increased. Greater decreases in craving as measured by the questionnaire on smoking urges-brief (QSU-Brief) predicted relapse at the end of treatment (6 weeks) and at the 3-month follow-up time point. These associations do not appear to be mediated by established measures of dependence. Thus, this preliminary study provides evidence that there are significant changes in craving, withdrawal, and affect related to smoking the first cigarette of the day, with the largest of these changes observed for craving. Moreover, changes in tobacco craving in response to the first cigarette of the day may be a novel predictor of smoking relapse that should be tested in future studies.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Affect* / drug effects
  • Aged
  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / therapeutic use*
  • Behavior Therapy*
  • Bupropion / therapeutic use*
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motivation*
  • Nicotine / adverse effects
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Prognosis
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Smoking / psychology*
  • Smoking Cessation / psychology*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / psychology
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / rehabilitation*

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Bupropion
  • Nicotine