Co-occurrent use of cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine in a retired military population.

Previous studies have linked the use of caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol to health complications and have also found that the use of these substances significantly covary. Given the prevalence of health problems of older adults, it is surprising that no studies to date have examined the co-occurrent use of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine in a senior population. This investigation evaluated the co-occurrent use of cigarettes, caffeine, and alcohol in a community sample of older Americans. Respondents (1,095 women and 1,371 men) completed a questionnaire examining their use of caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. This study replicated earlier findings that tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol use co-occur and that there are consistent use patterns for these substances. The results suggest that health organizations could better target services by prescreening for smoking, alcohol, and caffeine use and possibly targeting smokers and ex-smokers for potentially problematic use patterns of caffeine and alcohol.