Effects of nicotine deprivation on urges to drink and smoke in alcoholic smokers.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the effect of nicotine deprivation on alcohol and smoking urges in a sample of alcohol-dependent smokers in early recovery.


METHODS
Using a within-subjects design, participants underwent two cue-reactivity laboratory sessions in which they rated their urges for alcohol and cigarettes during the following three trials: baseline, neutral cue and mood induction combined with alcohol beverage cue exposure. One session was completed after 34 hours of nicotine deprivation and another in a non-deprived state.


METHODS
Forty alcohol-dependent heavy smokers recruited from a substance abuse day treatment program.


METHODS
Self-reported urge to drink, urge to smoke and salivation.


RESULTS
Results showed that during the non-deprived session, alcohol cue presentations were associated with significant increases in urges to drink and urges to smoke. Acute nicotine deprivation led to increased smoking urges, but was not associated with increased urges to drink alcohol.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that the acute effects of smoking cessation are unlikely to increase risk of relapse to alcohol in alcoholic patients who are undergoing treatment.
Cooney
Judith L
JL
VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Newington, CT, USA. judith.cooney@med.va.gov
Cooney
Ned L
NL
Pilkey
David T
DT
Kranzler
Henry R
HR
Oncken
Cheryl A
CA
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001944:Breath Tests; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis; D003367:Cotinine / Q000097:blood; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D012472:Salivation; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology
D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D009538:Nicotine; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D003367:Cotinine