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Effects of smoking abstinence on adult smokers with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: results of a preliminary study

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Abstract

Rationale

Individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) smoke at higher rates than the general population; however, little is known about the mechanisms underlying this comorbidity.

Objective

This study evaluated the effects of overnight abstinence on withdrawal symptoms and cognitive performance in adult smokers with and without ADHD.

Materials and methods

Individuals smoking ≥15 cigarettes per day were recruited from the community and underwent an evaluation to establish a diagnosis of ADHD (n = 12) or not (n = 14). Withdrawal symptoms, mood, craving, cognitive performance, and smoking cue reactivity were measured during two laboratory sessions—in a ‘Satiated’ condition participants smoked up to and during the session while in an ‘Abstinent’ condition, participants were required to be smoking abstinent overnight and remain abstinent during the session.

Results

The effects of abstinence on ADHD and non-ADHD smokers did not differ for withdrawal symptom severity, mood, craving or cue reactivity. Significant Group × Condition interactions were observed for measures of attention and response inhibition on the Conners’ CPT. For reaction time (RT) variability and errors of commission, the ADHD group exhibited greater decrements in performance after overnight abstinence compared to the non-ADHD group. The effects of abstinence on other cognitive measures (e.g., rapid visual information processing task, cued Go/No-Go task) did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusion

This preliminary study is the first to systematically evaluate the effects of acute smoking abstinence in adult smokers diagnosed with ADHD. Individuals with the disorder may smoke at higher rates due to greater worsening of attention and response inhibition after abstinence.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Berry Hiott, Amy Gordon, and Rachel Kozink for their help with data collection. This research was supported by an unrestricted grant from Philip Morris USA, Inc. (JER).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2701, Durham, NC, 27708, USA

    F. Joseph McClernon, Scott H. Kollins, Avery M. Lutz, David P. Fitzgerald, Desiree W. Murray, Christina Redman & Jed E. Rose

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  1. F. Joseph McClernon
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Correspondence to F. Joseph McClernon.

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McClernon, F.J., Kollins, S.H., Lutz, A.M. et al. Effects of smoking abstinence on adult smokers with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: results of a preliminary study. Psychopharmacology 197, 95–105 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-007-1009-3

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