title: Life 1 year after a quit attempt: real-time reports of quitters and continuing smokers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Smokers are often reluctant to quit because they fear long-lasting withdrawal. Yet little research prospectively examines smokers' withdrawal longer than 1 month post-quit.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare successful versus unsuccessful quitters' withdrawal, positive affect/pleasure, and lifestyle at 1 year post-quit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Smokers (N = 572) in a cessation trial completed ecological momentary assessments four times a day for 1 week pre-quit, 1 week post-quit, and 1 week at 1 year post-quit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From pre-quit to 1 year later, only quitters reported sizeable declines in craving and restlessness, and fewer stressful events. At 1 year, quitters, on average, reported no significant craving. Continuing smokers reduced their cigarette consumption considerably from pre-quit to 1 year later.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Contrary to smokers' worries, long-term quitters reported less craving and restlessness than when they smoked (perhaps because cessation eliminates the acute nicotine withdrawal smokers experience between cigarettes). This information may encourage smokers to quit and endure withdrawal.
authors.affiliation: Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention and Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53711, USA. trschlam@ctri.medicine.wisc.edu
authors.forename: Tanya R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Schlam
authors.forename: Megan E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Piper
authors.forename: Jessica W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.forename: Timothy B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine