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Severity of withdrawal symptoms as a predictor of outcome of an attempt to quit smoking

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

R. J. West ,
P. Hajek  and
M. Belcher
R. J. West*
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London and Addiction Research Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, London
P. Hajek
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London and Addiction Research Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, London
M. Belcher
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London and Addiction Research Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr R. J. West, Psychology Department, Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 OEX.
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Synopsis

In 227 smokers' clinic clients who managed at least one week of abstinence, ratings of withdrawal symptoms were used to predict subsequent return to smoking. Depression, time spent with urges to smoke, and difficulty not smoking during the first week of abstinence were significantly associated with lapse back to smoking during the second week. Depression and difficulty not smoking during the second week significantly predicted smoking status during the third week. No withdrawal symptoms during the third week were associated with a return to smoking during the fourth week. The predictive power of withdrawal symptoms was over and above that of smoke intake and dependence. The findings provide some support for the view that reduction of withdrawal symptoms may be a worthwhile target in programmes for helping smokers to quit.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 19 , Issue 4 , November 1989 , pp. 981 - 985
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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