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Diurnal variations in first lapses to smoking for nicotine patch users
1Department of Community Health Sciences, Hunter Wing, St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 ORE, UK.mussher@sghms.ac.uk
Human Psychopharmacology
|July 15, 2003
Summary
Smokers using 16-hour nicotine patches are more likely to have their first smoking lapse in the afternoon or evening. This pattern persists despite the patches providing less nicotine in the morning hours.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Behavioral Psychology
Background:
- Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is a common smoking cessation aid.
- Previous studies show smokers not using NRT tend to lapse more in afternoons/evenings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if smokers using 16-hour nicotine patches experience a similar lapse pattern.
- To determine if 16-hour patches adequately support early morning abstinence.
Main Methods:
- 200 smokers undergoing a cessation program with behavioral support and 16-hour nicotine patches.
- Tracking of first smoking lapses during the initial 2 weeks of abstinence.
Main Results:
- 70 smokers reported first lapses within the first 2 weeks.
- First lapses were significantly more frequent in the afternoon (12:00-18:00) and evening (18:00-24:00) compared to the morning (24:00-12:00).
- No significant difference in lapse rates between afternoon and evening.
Conclusions:
- Smokers using 16-hour nicotine patches are more prone to first lapses in the afternoon and evening.
- The limited morning nicotine delivery from 16-hour patches does not appear to increase early morning lapse risk.