This is posted on behalf of Stephanie Cohen, assistant manager at TEACH and therapist with the Nicotine Dependence Clinic at CAMH.

 
Hi Melonie

My quick response to this- based on no evidence- but just my personal hypothesis and rooted in my social worker’s understanding of dietary issues (which again is out of my realm of expertise)- is that carbs provide us with a quick rush of sugar and energy and then these levels quickly crash- which can result in feeling hunger or perhaps even an increase in negative feelings or lower mood state (personally- I experience this and need to eat snacks throughout the day becuase when I am hungry I am easily agitated and when I'm really hungry I’m miserable).

So perhaps, if the smoking occurs not immediately after eating carbs but say an hour or two after eating carbs maybe this hypothesis is viable- perhaps the clients craving to smoke are in response to lower sugar levels in the blood and the affect that this can have on the client’s mood and or feelings of hunger and smoking is a way of alleviating this symptoms.

If the smoking occurs immediately after eating carbs (ie. Right after she finishes a big bowl of pasta) maybe this is more of an overlearned behaviour issue- where the client really enjoys combining a favourite food with smoking- and because this combo is so enjoyable it’s the hardest food/smoke trigger to avoid.

Again- I haven’t had time to look into any related research-I’m just rambling ideas off the top of my head- it’s a really interesting question and I have never had a client deal with a carb/ smoking trigger specifically before. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Thanks,
Stephanie