The cue availability paradigm: A systematic evaluation of cigarette availability on cue reactivity in smokers
Abstract
Several researchers have speculated that drug availability should have an impact on addicts' reactions to drug-related stimuli. Although previous cue-reactivity research has found no consistent or clear effects for availability, this may have been due to certain methodological limitations, such as limiting access to drugs during the experimental session. The present study used a new procedure, the Cue Availability Paradigm, to explore systematically the impact of cigarette availability on smokers' reactions to smoking-related stimuli. Over the course of 48 trials, cigarette smokers (N = 60) were exposed to either a lit cigarette or a glass of water while informed of the probability (0%, 50%, or 100%) that they would be able to access and consume the cue. Measures collected were self-reports of craving and mood, physiological responses of skin conductance and heart rate, and latency to access the stimulus. There was a broad impact on participants' craving and mood report, skin conductance, and latency as local (within-session) cigarette availability increased from 0% to 100%. Few correlations across these dependent measures were found, contrary to the predictions of several models of addictive behavior. These results suggest that local cigarette availability has a systematic impact on cue reactions in smokers, that there is little empirical evidence for a unidimensional system of drug motivation, and that the Cue Availability Paradigm represents a promising new tool for investigation of cue reactivity phenomena.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Tiffany, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Psychotherapy|Mental health
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