The effects of cigarette smoking on script-driven imagery in smokers with and without posttraumatic stress disorder

The study investigated the effects of smoking a nicotinized or denicotinized cigarette on craving, affect and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms while recalling neutral, stressful and traumatic events in smokers with and without PTSD. Smokers completed laboratory sessions during which they were presented with audiotapes of personalized scripts followed by smoking a cigarette. The effect of the script and cigarette conditions on dependent variables was evaluated. There was a main effect of script type across groups for smoking craving, negative affect and PTSD symptoms, with increased symptoms in trauma and stressful conditions. Responses were significantly higher in PTSD smokers. Smoking either cigarette type resulted in decreased craving, negative affect and PTSD symptoms in both groups. A second script presentation following smoking elicited similar responses, suggesting the ameliorative effect of having smoked a cigarette was short-lived. These results support that context and non-pharmacologic effects of smoking are important variables in smoking craving and mood, particularly in smokers with PTSD.