Craving and other characteristics of the comorbidity of alcohol and nicotine dependence.
OBJECTIVE
In this cross-sectional study we compared alcohol-dependent smokers and non-alcohol-dependent smokers with respect to intensity of nicotine dependence, craving conditions, sleep disturbances, comorbidity with major depression, reasons for smoking, accompanying somatic diseases and patients' prolonged abstinence from smoking during the 3 years preceding the study.


METHODS
Fifty-one alcohol-dependent smokers and 327 non-alcohol-dependent smokers diagnosed as ICD-10 and DSM-IV-nicotine dependent, were investigated by means of the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, the Lübeck Craving-Recurrence Risk Questionnaire and the Lesch Alcohol Dependence Typology (both adapted to smoking).


RESULTS
The intensity of nicotine dependence was more enhanced in alcohol-dependent smokers compared to non-alcohol-dependent smokers. Several variables of all factors of craving ("depressive mood", "stimulation", "relaxation", "socially triggered tension") were significantly increased in alcohol-dependent patients (P<0.05). Alcohol-dependent smokers showed depressive symptoms and sleep disturbances, whilst non-alcohol-dependent individuals mainly smoked for stress release and weight control.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrates that the intensity of nicotine dependence, several conditions of craving for nicotine, sleep disturbances and symptoms of depression appear to be enhanced in alcohol-dependent smokers compared with non-alcohol-dependent smokers. Conclusions. - It is hoped that the factors of craving and reasons for smoking identified in this study will contribute to a better understanding of smoking temptation in alcohol-dependent smokers and non-alcohol-dependent smokers in future.
Hertling
Ines
I
Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. ines_hertling@yahoo.de
Ramskogler
Katrin
K
Dvorak
Alexander
A
Klingler
Anton
A
Saletu-Zyhlarz
Gerda
G
Schoberberger
Rudolf
R
Walter
Henriette
H
Kunze
Michael
M
Lesch
Otto Michael
OM
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D001317:Austria; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*