RELATIONSHIP OF CESSATION OF COCAINE USE TO CIGARETTE-SMOKING IN COCAINE-DEPENDENT OUTPATIENTS

Cocaine abusers (N = 43) from an outpatient drug rehabilitation progra m were interviewed regarding the relationship of cessation of cocaine use to cigarette smoking. Patients reported significant reductions in cigarette consumption after cessation of cocaine use (37.3 +/- 26.4 ci garettes per day when using cocaine vs. 18.1 +/- 7.0 cigarettes per da y after cessation of cocaine use; P < .0001, paired t test, t = 4.79 w ith 42 degrees of freedom). Reduction of cigarette smoking after cessa tion of cocaine use was reported primarily by heavy smokers. However, patients with longer clinic enrollments reported more increases and fe wer reductions in the number of cigarettes smoked per day after cessat ion of cocaine use. Comparison of average craving scores from the most recent period of cocaine use (1 month to several years before the int erview), at clinic enrollment (usually shortly after the most recent p eriod of cocaine use), and during the 24 hours before the interview sh owed that patients experienced markedly decreased craving for cocaine, in contrast to only slightly decreased craving for cigarettes.