PROGRESSION FROM A SMOKING LAPSE TO RELAPSE - PREDICTION FROM ABSTINENCE VIOLATION EFFECTS, NICOTINE DEPENDENCE, AND LAPSE CHARACTERISTICS

Determinants of progression from an initial smoking lapse to relapse, using prospective data from 133 participants were examined. Participan ts used palm-top computers to record their first lapse, and their reac tion to it, within minutes of the event, and were followed for 3 month s to assess subsequent smoking. Indicators of the Abstinence Violation Effect-self-efficacy, attributions, and affective reactions to the la pse-generally failed to predict progression to relapse, but participan ts who felt like giving up after the first lapse progressed more rapid ly to a second lapse. Participants who attempted restorative coping we re less likely to progress to another lapse on the same day. Those who se lapses were triggered by stress progressed more quickly, whereas th ose triggered by eating and drinking or accompanied by alcohol consump tion progressed more slowly. More nicotine-dependent participants prog ressed more rapidly toward relapse, but neither the amount smoked in t he first lapse nor its subjective reinforcement predicted progression.