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Methadone and nicotine self-administration in humans: a behavioral economic analysis

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Abstract

Rationale

Prior research has revealed inconsistencies in the behavioral relations between nicotine and opiates among methadone-maintained patients.

Objectives

The current study examined whether the drug reinforcers cigarette puffs and methadone were economic complements or substitutes.

Methods

Five methadone-maintained, nicotine-dependent participants were trained to self-administer methadone, cigarette puffs, or concurrently available methadone and puffs. Following training, the fixed ratio (FR) value (“price”) was increased across sessions (FR 32, 64, 128, 256, and 512), first for methadone and then for puffs. Subsequently, methadone and puffs were concurrently available, and the price of each drug was increased independently, while the price of the alternative (puffs or methadone) remained constant at FR 32.

Results

Demand for methadone and cigarette puffs decreased as a function of increases in methadone and cigarette puff prices, respectively. When methadone and puffs were concurrently available, an increase in methadone’s price decreased puff consumption, and demand for methadone was less elastic than when puffs were not concurrently available. An increase in puff price decreased puff and methadone demand, but the elasticity of puff demand was unaffected. The concurrent presence of methadone had no effect on the elasticity of demand for cigarette puffs.

Conclusions

Methadone and cigarette puffs appear to be asymmetric economic complements.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Eleanor Williams, R.N., for her dedicated attention to the clinical well-being of the methadone-maintained participants. This work was supported by National Institute of Drug Abuse Grants DA #7943 and #12725. During preparation Ralph Spiga, PhD, also was supported by Grant #02-07057123192, Pennsylvania Department of Health. Richard A. Meisch, MD, PhD, is the recipient of NIDA Research Scientist Award KO5 DA00159.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Temple University Health System, 100 East Lehigh Avenue, Suite 305, Philadelphia, PA, 19125-1098, USA

    Ralph Spiga

  2. Department of Psychology, The College of New Jersey, P.O. Box 7718, Ewing, NJ, 08628-0718, USA

    Margaret P. Martinetti

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas—Houston Health Science Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Richard A. Meisch & Katherine Cowan

  4. Behavioral Biology Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA

    Steven Hursh

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  1. Ralph Spiga
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  2. Margaret P. Martinetti
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  3. Richard A. Meisch
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  4. Katherine Cowan
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  5. Steven Hursh
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Correspondence to Ralph Spiga.

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Spiga, R., Martinetti, M.P., Meisch, R.A. et al. Methadone and nicotine self-administration in humans: a behavioral economic analysis. Psychopharmacology 178, 223–231 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-004-2020-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-004-2020-6

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