Defining and predicting short-term alcohol use changes during a smoking cessation attempt

Area of Science:

• Addiction research
• Public health

Background:

• Alcohol and nicotine are widely used in the U.S., posing significant health risks.
• Concurrent use of alcohol and nicotine complicates cessation attempts.
• Previous research on alcohol use changes during tobacco cessation has yielded inconsistent findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine how alcohol consumption changes after tobacco cessation.
• To identify predictors of alcohol use patterns following a smoking cessation attempt.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
• 1301 participants reported daily smoking and alcohol use for two weeks before and after their target quit date.

Main Results:

• Overall, alcohol use decreased after the target quit date.
• Lower pre-quit alcohol use, female sex, non-white ethnicity, and a history of alcohol dependence were associated with reduced post-quit alcohol use.
• The relationship between pre- and post-quit alcohol use was stronger in men and individuals without a history of alcohol dependence.

Conclusions:

• Alcohol consumption generally declines after smoking cessation.
• Clinicians should anticipate decreased alcohol use post-cessation.
• Higher pre-cessation alcohol users may require targeted attention due to potential for continued or increased use, which could affect smoking cessation outcomes.