Tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of the death in the United States, and is high among US Veterans, and those who have experienced trauma are more likely to smoke. Despite the efficacy of current evidence-based treatments for smoking cessation, there is a critical need for alternative treatments. This project seeks to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a smoking cessation treatment for Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who smoke. The treatment combines smoking cessation counseling, nicotine replacement therapy (e.g., nicotine gum), and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). rTMS is a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment that has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for smoking cessation in adults.
Is a US Veteran
Meets DSM-5 criteria for tobacco use disorder
Is between the ages of 18 and 75
Smokes an average of 10 cigarettes per day for the past 6 months, with carbon monoxide (CO) level > 6 ppm
Has had a substance use disorder other than tobacco in the preceding 3 months
Has a history of myocardial infarction in the past 6 months or has another contraindication to NRT
Has a contraindication to TMS or MRI
Personal or family history of a seizures or epilepsy