The cue-availability paradigm: the effects of cigarette availability on cue reactivity in smokers

Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2001 May;9(2):183-90. doi: 10.1037//1064-1297.9.2.183.

Abstract

Researchers have hypothesized that drug availability should influence addicts' reactions to drug-related stimuli, but manipulations of the extent to which drug users have access to their drugs following a session of exposure to drug cues have not produced strong availability effects. This study used within-session manipulations of drug availability to examine cigarette smokers' reactions to smoking cues. Smokers (N = 60) were exposed to 48 trials of either a lit cigarette or a glass of water while they were informed of the probability (0%, 50%, or 100%) that they would be able to consume the cue on each trial. Results from measures of craving, mood, skin conductance, and latency to access the cues indicated that the trial-by-trial manipulation of drug availability had a pronounced impact on reactivity to cigarette cues.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affect / drug effects
  • Cues*
  • Female
  • Galvanic Skin Response / drug effects
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Smoking / physiopathology
  • Smoking / psychology*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires