BACKGROUND: Abstinent drug users remain at risk for relapse long after withdrawal subsides. Animal studies indicate that responses to drug-related cues not only persist but increase with abstinence, a phenomenon termed "incubation of drug craving." It is unknown whether cue-induced craving increases, decreases, or remains constant with abstinence in humans. We investigated effects of abstinence on cue-induced craving in cigarette smokers. METHODS: Eighty-six non-treatment-seeking, adult smokers (≥10 cigarettes daily) were paid to abstain for 7 (Group 1), 14 (Group 2), or 35 (Groups 3 and 4) days. Abstinence was verified daily. Groups 1, 2, and 3 underwent a single cue session on the final abstinence day (7, 14, or 35). Group 4 viewed cues on Days 7, 14, and 35. RESULTS: Between and within groups, smoking-cue-induced craving increased with abstinence on some measures. Cue-induced craving was greater in Group 3 (35-day) compared with Group 1 (7-day). Within Group 4, cue-induced craving was greater at 35 than 14 days. Cue-induced craving did not decrease with abstinence on any measure. CONCLUSIONS: We present initial evidence of incubation of cue-induced craving in humans. The observation that cue-induced craving increases with abstinence, even as "background" craving and withdrawal symptoms subside, might have treatment implications.
BACKGROUND: Abstinent drug users remain at risk for relapse long after withdrawal subsides. Animal studies indicate that responses to drug-related cues not only persist but increase with abstinence, a phenomenon termed "incubation of drug craving." It is unknown whether cue-induced craving increases, decreases, or remains constant with abstinence in humans. We investigated effects of abstinence on cue-induced craving in cigarette smokers. METHODS: Eighty-six non-treatment-seeking, adult smokers (≥10 cigarettes daily) were paid to abstain for 7 (Group 1), 14 (Group 2), or 35 (Groups 3 and 4) days. Abstinence was verified daily. Groups 1, 2, and 3 underwent a single cue session on the final abstinence day (7, 14, or 35). Group 4 viewed cues on Days 7, 14, and 35. RESULTS: Between and within groups, smoking-cue-induced craving increased with abstinence on some measures. Cue-induced craving was greater in Group 3 (35-day) compared with Group 1 (7-day). Within Group 4, cue-induced craving was greater at 35 than 14 days. Cue-induced craving did not decrease with abstinence on any measure. CONCLUSIONS: We present initial evidence of incubation of cue-induced craving in humans. The observation that cue-induced craving increases with abstinence, even as "background" craving and withdrawal symptoms subside, might have treatment implications.
Authors: Lin Lu; Bruce T Hope; Jack Dempsey; Shirley Y Liu; Jennifer M Bossert; Yavin Shaham Journal: Nat Neurosci Date: 2005-01-16 Impact factor: 24.884
Authors: Carrie R Ferrario; Jessica A Loweth; Mike Milovanovic; Kerstin A Ford; Gregorio L Galiñanes; Li-Jun Heng; Kuei Y Tseng; Marina E Wolf Journal: Neuropharmacology Date: 2011-01-27 Impact factor: 5.250
Authors: Marina Unrod; David J Drobes; Paul R Stasiewicz; Joseph W Ditre; Bryan Heckman; Ralph R Miller; Steven K Sutton; Thomas H Brandon Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2013-09-28 Impact factor: 4.244
Authors: Michael T Stefanik; Mike Milovanovic; Craig T Werner; John C G Spainhour; Marina E Wolf Journal: Biol Psychiatry Date: 2018-02-23 Impact factor: 13.382
Authors: Nazzareno Cannella; Ana M M Oliveira; Thekla Hemstedt; Thomas Lissek; Elena Buechler; Hilmar Bading; Rainer Spanagel Journal: J Neurosci Date: 2018-07-20 Impact factor: 6.167
Authors: M De Biasi; I McLaughlin; E E Perez; P A Crooks; L P Dwoskin; M T Bardo; P R Pentel; D Hatsukami Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2014-06-02 Impact factor: 4.492