NICOTINE SKIN PATCH TREATMENT INCREASES ABSTINENCE, DECREASES WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS, AND ATTENUATES REWARDING EFFECTS OF SMOKING

A variety of studies have shown that nicotine skin patches are effecti ve in promoting smoking cessation. This study replicated this effect, in addition, nicotine skin patches were found to decrease a variety of withdrawal effects, including craving for cigarettes, negative affect , hypoarousal, and increased appetite. This study also assessed the de pressive symptoms shown by smokers before and after they quit smoking. Control subjects showed a significant increase in depressive symptoms after smoking cessation, whereas the subjects given the nicotine skin patch were not as affected. If the subjects slipped and smoked a ciga rette during the time they were wearing the patch, they were asked to rate the effects of that cigarette. These ''slip'' cigarettes were rat ed significantly lower in satisfaction and good taste by subjects in t he nicotine patch group than by controls. The nicotine skin patch may improve smoking cessation rates both by reducing nicotine withdrawal e ffects and by reducing the reward of slips back to smoking. This latte r effect may prove to be effective in preventing slips from turning in to relapses.