Effectiveness of payment for reduced carbon monoxide levels and noncontingent payments on smoking behaviors in cocaine-abusing outpatients wearing nicotine or placebo patches.
In a 2-week intervention to reduce cigarette smoking among outpatients in treatment for cocaine addiction, 20 subjects were randomly assigned to a contingent group, receiving monetary vouchers for breath samples with carbon monoxide (CO) levels of 8 ppm or less, or to a noncontingent group, receiving vouchers regardless of CO level. Subjects wore either nicotine or placebo patches in a randomized crossover design. Contingent subjects had significantly lower CO levels and met the 8 ppm target significantly more often than did noncontingent subjects; however, number of cigarettes reported smoked did not differ between groups. Use of nicotine patches resulted in CO levels significantly lower than did use of placebo patches, but levels still exceeded 8 ppm regardless of type of patch. Because contingent reward helped cocaine-dependent smokers achieve nonsmoking CO targets, behavioral antismoking interventions merit continued study in similar populations.
Wiseman
Eve J
EJ
Mental Health Service Line, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, 72205, USA. Eve.Wiseman@med.va.gov
Williams
D K
DK
McMillan
D E
DE
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000097:blood*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D009538:Nicotine; D002248:Carbon Monoxide