This study also examined whether levels of craving, withdrawal/NA and PA were correlated (intercepts) and whether the trajectories of these variables were correlated (slopes) over early abstinence. These data suggested that levels of withdrawal/NA and craving were strongly and positively correlated and that this relationship decreased over time. These results are concordant with the finding that abstinence-induced NA was most sensitive to alleviation by nicotine administration (Perkins, Karelitz, Conklin, Sayette, & Giedgowd, 2010). Furthermore, levels of PA and craving were negatively correlated and contrary to the effect of withdrawal/NA, this association increased in magnitude over time. Of note, in spite of these divergent time trends, withdrawal/NA was found to be a stronger predictor of craving than PA at all time points assessed.
