Behavioural and pharmacological approaches to treating smokers Robert West University College London Rio de Janeiro 2006

Outline The need for treatment The goals of treatment The effectiveness of treatment The future of treatment

The need for treatment Repeated nicotine from cigarettes interacts with other smoking stimuli to generate: impulses to smoke generated by smoking cues a ‘drive’ to smoke somewhat resembling hunger unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms associated with not smoking feelings of attraction to smoking positive evaluations of smoking These act at all levels of the motivational system and overwhelm, undermine and subvert self-conscious decisions to become a non-smoker

The role of treatment After some days or weeks of abstinence most of these motivational forces tend to diminish in frequency and intensity, but ... the rate of decay is variable upsurges are common sometimes they persist indefinitely The goal of treatment: to keep the moment-to-moment motivation to smoke lower than the motivation to to at all times until the motivational system ‘recovers’

Potential treatment targets Minimising frequency and intensity of motivation to smoke: Minimise the strength of the drive to smoke Minimise frequency and intensity of cue-driven impulses to smoke Minimise adverse mood and physical symptoms Undermine smoker identity Undermine functional beliefs about smoking Foster adaptive mental or physical responses to smoking triggers Raising the action threshold Maximise social pressure not to smoke Maximise negative feelings about smoking (disgust, worry etc.) Foster an ‘in-control’, ‘non-smoker’ identity Foster functional beliefs about not smoking Preserve mental energy needed for self-control Foster alternative behaviours

Assessing treatment outcome Ultimate goal is usually ‘permanent remission’ (Peter Selby) Self-report of continuous abstinence for 6 months, biochemically verified, usually allows reliable estimation of this (Russell Standard1) permanent remission rate~50% RS6M ‘Point-prevalence’ estimation and estimation for shorter time periods are less reliable The key effect-size measure is difference in the proportion of smokers abstinent in treatment versus control conditions 1West et al, Addiction 2005

Effect of face-to-face individual support Using only studies with ≥6 months’ continuous abstinence and biochemical verification

Effect of group support Using only studies with ≥12 months’ continuous abstinence and biochemical verification

Effect of telephone counselling Cochrane review: >6 month cessation not validated

Effect of tailored internet support Not biochemically verified

Effect of NRT Cochrane: LI: Low intensity behavioural support; HI: High intensity behavioural support RTS: Reduce To Stop; Combination: various combinations versus single NRT types; Population: NRT versus no NRT in population samples without behavioural support (ATTEMPT – cohort study, not RCT)

Effect of nortriptyline, bupropion and varenicline For bupropion and nortriptyline data from Cochrane: ≥6 months’ continuous abstinence and biochemical verification; varenicline 6 month continuous abstinence data from JAMA 2006; blue shading shows effect on 12 month continuous abstinence rates of further 12w varenicline vs placebo in smokers abstinence at 12w

Treatment options Enrol in a structured, multi-session face-to-face or telephone-based behavioural support programme and (unless contra-indicated): take varenicline for 12 weeks or longer if required, or take nicotine patch for 2 weeks prior to quit date then and patch plus an acute form prn for 8 weeks or longer as required, or take bupropion for 1-2 weeks prior to quit date and then for up to 8 weeks Use Rx medications under clinical supervision with additional help packages supplied Use NRT OTC with help packages supplied

Costs and benefits Costs Benefits Treatments to aid cessation carry very low risk Behavioural treatments require some investment of time and effort on part of smokers Side effects of medications vary but are generally mild Cost per treatment episode could range from $200 for medication or behavioural support only to $800 for extended combined treatment Benefits Approximately 2 to 10 percentage point improvement in chances of ‘permanent remission’ (50% of effect on 6m abstinence) Most successful quitters arising from the treatment gain an average of 3 to 6 healthy life years depending on their age and current state of health

The future of treatment More effective use of existing treatments combinations pre-treatment longer term use if required wider access Better treatments novel medications cheaper medications more comprehensive behavioural treatments A realistic goal 25% of quit attempts that would have failed, lasting for at least 6 months