Smoking withdrawal dynamics: III. Correlates of withdrawal heterogeneity

Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2003 Nov;11(4):276-85. doi: 10.1037/1064-1297.11.4.276.

Abstract

Five parameters of postcessation smoking withdrawal variability derived from clinical data (T. M. Piasecki, D. E. Jorenby, S. S. Smith, M. C. Fiore, & T. B. Baker, 2003a, 2003b) were predicted from baseline measures and pharmacotherapy assignment. Smokers who were more dependent, older, and high in negative affect reported more severe withdrawal. Women, heavier smokers, and those with a history of depression reported more variable symptoms. Smokers treated with nicotine patch, bupropion, or both reported less severe withdrawal than did those given placebo, but medication did not affect the slope of symptoms over time, day-to-day variability of symptoms, or the size of acute changes in symptoms associated with lapses to smoking. Prior research has shown that these symptom facets predict later relapse: thus, current pharmacotherapies may aid cessation by diminishing withdrawal severity, but they do not affect all clinically important aspects of withdrawal.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Bupropion / therapeutic use*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nicotine / adverse effects
  • Nicotinic Agonists / adverse effects
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Recurrence
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Smoking Cessation / methods
  • Smoking Cessation / psychology*
  • Smoking*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / psychology
  • Time Factors
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / epidemiology
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / psychology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Bupropion
  • Nicotine