Incubation of cue-induced cigarette craving during abstinence in human smokers.
BACKGROUND
Abstinent drug users remain at risk for relapse long after withdrawal subsides. Animal studies indicate that responses to drug-related cues not only persist but increase with abstinence, a phenomenon termed "incubation of drug craving." It is unknown whether cue-induced craving increases, decreases, or remains constant with abstinence in humans. We investigated effects of abstinence on cue-induced craving in cigarette smokers.


METHODS
Eighty-six non-treatment-seeking, adult smokers (≥10 cigarettes daily) were paid to abstain for 7 (Group 1), 14 (Group 2), or 35 (Groups 3 and 4) days. Abstinence was verified daily. Groups 1, 2, and 3 underwent a single cue session on the final abstinence day (7, 14, or 35). Group 4 viewed cues on Days 7, 14, and 35.


RESULTS
Between and within groups, smoking-cue-induced craving increased with abstinence on some measures. Cue-induced craving was greater in Group 3 (35-day) compared with Group 1 (7-day). Within Group 4, cue-induced craving was greater at 35 than 14 days. Cue-induced craving did not decrease with abstinence on any measure.


CONCLUSIONS
We present initial evidence of incubation of cue-induced craving in humans. The observation that cue-induced craving increases with abstinence, even as "background" craving and withdrawal symptoms subside, might have treatment implications.
Bedi
Gillinder
G
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA. GB2326@columbia.edu
Preston
Kenzie L
KL
Epstein
David H
DH
Heishman
Stephen J
SJ
Marrone
Gina F
GF
Shaham
Yavin
Y
de Wit
Harriet
H
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003463:Cues; D058999:Drug-Seeking Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D057566:Self Report; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
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