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Implementing episodic future thinking for smoking cessation in substance users: a case report

abstract

Cigarette smoking is strongly associated with using other substances. This bundle entails
high nicotine dependence and poor smoking cessation outcomes. In experimental settings,
interventions that address impulsivity using episodic future thinking (EFT) have shown promising
results in terms of cigarette smoking reductions. However, no prior study has described its
implementation in a clinical context. A case report of a woman aged 41 years, consumer of
17 cigarettes per day, and undergoing substance use treatment is presented. During eight
weeks, a cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) integrating EFT for addressing impulsivity was
implemented. Smoking cessation was assessed through carbon monoxide and urine cotinine
analyses. Impulsivity was examined using a delay discounting behavioral task and the UPPS-P
Impulsive Behavior Scale. After the fifth session, the patient successfully quit smoking and
showed sustained abstinence from tobacco and other substances at the third-month followup.
A clinically significant improvement was evinced in impulsivity. CBT+EFT can be regarded
as promising for this profile of patients, as it promotes sustained smoking abstinence.

Keywords:

Smoking; substance use disorders; psychological treatment; episodic future thinking.

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Authors

  • Alba González-Roz - Grupo de Conductas Adictivas. Departamento de Psicología. Universidad de Oviedo

  • Gema Aonso-Diego - Grupo de Conductas Adictivas. Departamento de Psicología. Universidad de Oviedo

  • Víctor Martínez-Loredo - Grupo de Conductas Adictivas. Departamento de Psicología. Universidad de Oviedo

  • Roberto Secades-Villa - Grupo de Conductas Adictivas. Departamento de Psicología. Universidad de Oviedo

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