High-dose nicotine patch therapy for smokers with a history of alcohol dependence: 36-week outcomes

J Subst Abuse Treat. 2006 Apr;30(3):213-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2006.01.001.

Abstract

This study reports findings from an investigation of the efficacy of high-dose nicotine patch (NP) therapy for heavy smokers with a history of alcohol dependence. One hundred thirty participants were randomly assigned to 42 or 21 mg of transdermal nicotine. Follow-up assessments were conducted at 4, 12, 24, and 36 weeks. Differences between dose conditions were nonsignificant, although, unexpectedly, outcomes favored participants in the 21-mg NP condition. Nicotine abstinence rates in the 21- and 42-mg NP conditions on Week 36 follow-up were 16.9% and 9.2%, respectively. Patch condition did not interact with severity of nicotine dependence. However, nicotine abstinence at follow-up was related to a longer length of alcohol abstinence. No evidence was found for better outcomes as a function of the percentage of baseline cotinine replaced by NPs. Future research should focus primarily on investigating ways to improve smoking quit rates for smokers in early alcohol recovery.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Adult
  • Alcoholism / complications*
  • Cotinine / blood
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nicotine / administration & dosage*
  • Nicotine / therapeutic use*
  • Nicotinic Agonists / administration & dosage*
  • Nicotinic Agonists / therapeutic use*
  • Odds Ratio
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Smoking / drug therapy*
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Time Factors
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / psychology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Nicotine
  • Cotinine