A tale of two stimulants: mentholated cigarettes may play a role in cocaine, but not methamphetamine, dependence.
BACKGROUND
Research suggests that mentholated cigarettes may play a role in cocaine dependence. The purpose of the present study was to expand upon the research on mentholated cigarettes and cocaine dependence and to evaluate the role of mentholated cigarettes in methamphetamine dependence.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of a multisite, randomized trial evaluating the impact of smoking-cessation treatment in stimulant-dependent outpatients (N=538). Participants' reasons for concurrent use of cigarettes and illicit stimulants were assessed via self-report. Stimulant-abstinence was measured by self-report and urine drug screens. Smoking cessation was assessed via self-report and carbon monoxide levels.


RESULTS
Of the 301 cocaine-dependent participants, 201 (67%) were menthol and 100 (33%) were non-menthol cigarette smokers. Cocaine-dependent participants who smoked menthol, compared to non-menthol, cigarettes were significantly more likely to report that cigarettes prolong their cocaine high (X(2)(1)=16.3, p<.0001, OR=3.58 [95% CI: 1.88-6.79]) and were less likely to be stimulant abstinent during active treatment (W=3.6, p<0.001, d=.39 [95% CI: 0.16-0.62]), at 3-month follow-up (X(2)(1)=14.4, p<0.001, OR=.32 [95% CI: 0.17-0.58]), and at 6-month follow-up (X(2)(1)=4.6, p=0.03, OR=.53 [95% CI: 0.29-0.95]). No parallel differences were found between menthol and non-menthol methamphetamine-dependent smokers. The prevalence of Caucasian menthol smokers was significantly greater in the cocaine-dependent participants (37.2%) than in the methamphetamine-dependent participants (17.61%), (X(2)(1)=14.4, p<.001, OR=2.77 [95% CI:1.62-4.73]). Smoking cessation was not significantly associated with cigarette type for either cocaine- or methamphetamine-dependent participants.


CONCLUSIONS
The present results suggest that mentholated cigarettes play a role in cocaine, but not methamphetamine, dependence.
Cincinnati Addiction Research Treatment and Education Center (CinARTEC), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3210 Jefferson Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA. Electronic address: winhusen@carc.uc.edu.
Theresa M
TM
Winhusen
Bryon
B
Adinoff
Daniel F
DF
Lewis
Gregory S
GS
Brigham
John G
JG
Gardin
Susan C
SC
Sonne
Jeff
J
Theobald
Udi
U
Ghitza
D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008610:Menthol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D012646:Self Administration; D057566:Self Report; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D062789:Tobacco Products / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
D008610:Menthol
Cigarettes; Cocaine dependence; Menthol; Methamphetamine dependence