Behavioral Interventions to Target Self-Control

Behavioral Interventions to Target Self-Control in Abstinent Nicotine Dependent Smokers

Low self-control has been associated with a number of unhealthy behaviors with low treatment success. Alternative non-pharmacological approaches have the potential for enhancing self-control. This pilot study will investigate if the practice of yoga and/or health and wellness education improve self-control in the context of nicotine addiction, and will set the stage for larger clinical trials using behavioral interventions to supplement or replace existing treatments and increase the rates of recovery from disorders in which low self-control is a susceptibility factor.

Inclusion Criteria:

• should smoke a minimum of 10 cigarettes/day
• be fluent speaking and reading English
• in good physical health
• intend to quit smoking
• capable of abstaining from smoking for 12-14 hours
• should have easy daily access to a computer and/or other internet-enabled device

Exclusion Criteria:

• current alcohol or substance use disorder (except nicotine)
• pregnancy
• history of psychosis or bipolar disorder
• current use of a behavioral or pharmacologic tobacco treatment
• any untreated medical or psychiatric condition that might compromise their safety during participation in the study (e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, BMI >35)