Stages of change for smoking cessation among former problem drinkers: a cross-sectional analysis

Recent research suggests that problem drinkers are less successful in quitting smoking. Stages of change, decisional balance, and self-efficacy measures were used to assess readiness for smoking cessation in a cross-sectional sample of former problem drinkers who were current smokers. As was expected, a very high percentage of recovering problem drinkers had been or currently were regular smokers. Distributions across the stages of change and relationships between stages and decisional balance in this problem drinker sample was found to be similar to results from more general smoking populations. Of those who had quit both smoking and alcohol, 62% quit drinking before or at the same time as smoking (53% before; 9% simultaneous). Those who quit drinking before or at the same time as smoking were characterized by a more problematic alcohol history. A stages-of-change perspective with this group is discussed, as are new avenues for future research with such populations.