The experience of smoking in recovery settings: an ecological momentary assessment pilot study

Smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and people with substance use disorders (SUD) smoke at higher rates compared to their non-using counterparts. Individuals with SUDs may have different emotional experiences and expectancies than those without. The current study explored the relationship between smoking and emotional experiences among residents in recovery homes, a population that little is known about regarding their tobacco addiction. Using ecological momentary assessment (EMA), significant emotional differences were found between nicotine users and nonusers. Implications of these findings could help in the development of interventions directed toward reducing smoking cessation.