Randomized controlled trial of relapse prevention and a standard behavioral intervention with adult smokers

A previously evaluated behavioral intervention (SB) was modified to focus on relapse prevention (RP) in order to improve adult smokers' ability to cope with high-risk situations and maintain abstinence. Treatment-seeking smokers (N = 79) working at four mid-sized businesses attended either an SB (n = 38) or an RP intervention (n = 41). Both interventions consisted of 6 and 90-min sessions over 8 weeks and included nicotine replacement therapy. Immediately following the interventions, 42.1% of the SB group and 41.5% of the RP group were abstinent (p = .95). The one-year point-prevalence abstinence rates were 28.9% in the SB group and 17.1% in the RP group (p = .21). As there were no significant group differences on abstinence at follow-up, the RP intervention was not found to be more efficacious than a standard behavioral intervention among treatment-seeking adult smokers. Motivation, on the other hand, was a significant predictor of short- and long-term abstinence.