Gender differences in associations between lifetime alcohol, depression, panic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder and tobacco withdrawal

Am J Addict. 2009 Mar-Apr;18(2):140-7. doi: 10.1080/10550490802544888.

Abstract

This study examined the interaction of gender and lifetime psychiatric status on the experience of nicotine withdrawal using retrospective data from the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS; N = 816). Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the main and interactive effects of gender and major depression, alcohol abuse/dependence, panic disorder, and PTSD on indices of withdrawal. Major depression and alcohol abuse/dependence were associated with longer duration of withdrawal symptoms in women. Women also showed stronger associations between major depression and recurrent withdrawal symptoms and PTSD and smoking relapse to alleviate withdrawal. Men showed a stronger association between alcohol abuse/dependence and smoking relapse to alleviate withdrawal. When developing and providing smoking cessation interventions, it is important to consider the gender-specific effects of lifetime psychiatric status on withdrawal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alcoholism / complications*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Panic Disorder / complications*
  • Recurrence
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sex Characteristics*
  • Smoking Cessation*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / complications*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / complications*
  • Time Factors