NICOTINE DEPENDENCE AND DEPRESSION AMONG METHADONE-MAINTENANCE PATIENTS

There recently has been increasing interest at substance abuse treatme nt centers in smoking cessation treatment. Because a history of depres sion has been shown in other populations to complicate cessation effor ts, the relationship between depression and nicotine dependence was te sted in 726 methadone patients. Elevated odds of nicotine dependence g iven depression were found with three of four depression measures. Add itional research is recommended to determine whether smoking cessation treatment will be more successful for methadone patients with a histo ry of depression if it also addresses depression.