SMOKING-CESSATION TREATMENT COMBINING TRANSDERMAL NICOTINE SUBSTITUTION WITH BEHAVIORAL-THERAPY

Effects of smoking-cessation treatment combining transdermal nicotine substitution with behavioral therapy were investigated in two studies. A total of 403 smokers underwent nine weeks of behavioral self-control treatment. For seven weeks, groups with transdermal nicotine substitution were also provided with nicotine patches that continously release nicotine through the skin into the circulatory system. The effects of treatment were measured by total abstinence. The results showed that the nicotine concentration in the patch, special relapse prevention methods, and the type of dosage (individual versus fixed dose) had no influence on therapeutic success. Nicotine concentration played a decisive role in the compatibility of the patch. Combining transdermal nicotine substitution with behavioral therapy produced 12-month success rates (total abstinence) of about 35%.