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Past alcohol problems do not predict worse smoking cessation outcomes
John R Hughes1, Peter W Callas
1Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology and Family Practice, University of Vermont, 38 Fletcher Place, Burlington, VT 05401-1419, USA. john.hughes@uvm.edu
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|September 6, 2003
Summary
Smokers with a past history of alcohol problems can quit smoking as effectively as others. A history of alcohol issues does not predict greater nicotine dependence or reduced success in smoking cessation.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Behavioral Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- A significant portion of smokers attempting to quit may have a history of alcohol problems.
- The impact of past alcohol issues on smoking cessation success and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) needs is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if a history of alcohol problems affects smoking cessation outcomes.
- To determine if smokers with past alcohol issues require higher doses of nicotine replacement therapy.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of 1039 heavy smokers (≥30 cigarettes/day) from a randomized controlled trial of nicotine patch doses (0, 21, 35, 42 mg/day).
- Participants were assessed for past alcohol problems using the Short Alcohol Dependence Data (SADD) score (>1 year ago, SADD ≥9).
- Current alcohol abuse or dependence was an exclusion criterion.
Main Results:
- Smokers with a past history of alcohol problems did not show significantly different relapse rates compared to those without.
- Abstinence rates were similar between groups.
- No evidence suggested that smokers with past alcohol problems benefited more from nicotine treatment or higher doses.
Conclusions:
- A past history of alcohol problems, by itself, does not appear to predict an inability to stop smoking.
- This finding suggests that standard smoking cessation interventions may be effective for individuals with a history of alcohol issues.