Hintz Thomas, Mann Karl
Department for Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany.
Addict Behav. 2007 Dec;32(12):3093-100. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2007.06.006. Epub 2007 Jun 9.
Co-dependence of alcohol and nicotine is quite frequent. Research results on the mutual influence one drug has on the other - i.e., on the further course of the dependence - has been inconclusive. Our primary aim is to investigate the natural course of smoking behavior in a long term follow-up study with alcohol-dependent patients who completed an inpatient treatment program. A sample of 139 out of originally 190 patients was successfully followed up 7 years after index alcohol treatment. After 7 years, 56% of patients (total surviving sample: 46%, 21 [11.1%] patients deceased during the follow-up time interval) were abstinent. Our results show that being a non-smoker at treatment entry is a predictor for alcohol abstinence 7 years later. The rate of non-smokers among the abstinent patients increased by 32%. Potential explanations for our findings lie in carry-over effects. Skills and insights gained in treatment of alcohol dependence could be instrumental in coping with smoking behavior as well. Non-smokers may have more functional coping abilities from the beginning. We conclude that it is warranted and recommendable to explore the willingness of alcohol-dependent patients to quit smoking and to offer them treatment options addressing this point.
