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Effect of high-dose nicotine patch on the characteristics of lapse episodes
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 03:50 authored by Stuart FergusonStuart Ferguson, Shiffman, SObjective: Nicotine patch improves treatment outcomes, but lapses are still common. To understand the process of relapse on patch, we investigated differences in the antecedents (withdrawal, setting, triggers) of lapse episodes experienced on high-dose (35 mg) nicotine patches versus placebo. Design: Participants were smokers who lapsed during a randomized, double-blind trial of active patches (n = 100) versus placebo (n = 85). Participants used electronic diaries to monitor their smoking, affect, and activities in real time for 5 weeks during their cessation attempt. Results: We analyzed 490 lapse episodes (active: 266; placebo: 224). Lapses on nicotine patch were characterized by significantly lower positive affect and higher negative affect than placebo lapses. Participants treated with high-dose patch were also significantly more likely to lapse in situations involving little or no craving. Situational antecedents of lapses on patch resembled those on placebo. Conclusion: The results suggest that treatment with patch may set a higher threshold for affective stimuli to provoke lapses, but does not change the proximal cues that trigger lapses. This suggests that behavioral relapse-prevention strategies developed for unmedicated smokers should also apply to those treated with nicotine patch.
History
Publication title
Health PsychologyVolume
29Issue
4Pagination
358-366ISSN
0278-6133Department/School
School of Pharmacy and PharmacologyPublisher
Amer Psychological AssocPlace of publication
750 First St Ne, Washington, USA, Dc, 20002-4242Rights statement
Copyright © 2010 American Psychological AssociationRepository Status
- Restricted