Bupropion-SR for smoking reduction and cessation in alcohol-dependent outpatients: a naturalistic, open-label study

We sought to determine whether sustained-release bupropion (bupropion-SR) reduces smoking and promotes smoking cessation among alcohol-dependent (AD) smokers while they are in early recovery from alcohol.

We conducted an open-label, naturalistic study among AD smokers enrolled in an outpatient treatment program. The treatment group (n=58) was offered bupropion-SR and brief smoking cessation counseling. A control group (n=57) was matched to the treatment group by age, sex, ethnicity, cigarette use, and years of alcohol dependence. The controls received no smoking cessation intervention. We collected tobacco and alcohol abstinence data for 6 months after enrollment.

Participants in the treatment group were more likely to abstain from smoking than controls, at any of the followup time points. The treatment group smoked less cigarettes per day (CPD) at baseline, 30 days and 180 days post-baseline, compared to controls. These findings persisted after adjusting for possible covariates.

Bupropion-SR may be helpful to quit or reduce smoking for recently abstinent AD individuals.