The long term objective of this revised research project is to examine differences in tobacco craving and dependence in recovering polysubstance users versus smokers without a history of other dependence/abuse as a initial step towards developing effective treatments for smoking cessation in these populations whose health is synergistically compromised by multiple risk factors.
Specific aims i nclude: 1) assessment of tobacco craving among 2 subtypes of smokers; 2) assessment of tobacco dependence among 2 subtypes of smokers; 3) determination of differences in nicotine preference among groups; and finally, 4) exploration of the relationship between craving, history of drug dependence and nicotine self administration. The large study originally proposed has been substantially modified; two smaller studies will now be conducted to address the reviewers' concerns. Laboratory based assessments will be conducted in a state-of-the-art human behavioral pharmacology paradigm. Each assessment has demonstrated psychometric soundness. In study one, subjects complete tobacco craving and dependence measures under tobacco deprived and non-deprived conditions. Self-reported compliance is validated by experimenter observations and biochemical measurement. In study two, subjects undergo a nicotine selfadministration trial in a protocol that was previously validated in deprived current smokers with no intention to quit (Hughes, Strickler, et al, 1989). These data will be among the first to examine differences in tobacco craving and dependence among subtypes of smokers in a laboratory setting.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
5R29DA011088-04
Application #
6378684
Study Section
Human Development Research Subcommittee (NIDA)
Program Officer
Hoffman, Allison
Project Start
1998-09-10
Project End
2003-08-31
Budget Start
2001-09-01
Budget End
2002-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$89,967
Indirect Cost
Name
Boston University
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
604483045
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02118