Long-term behavior in treated alcoholism: Evidence for beneficial carry-over effects of abstinence from smoking on alcohol use and vice versa.
Co-dependence of alcohol and nicotine is quite frequent. Research results on the mutual influence one drug has on the other - i.e., on the further course of the dependence - has been inconclusive. Our primary aim is to investigate the natural course of smoking behavior in a long term follow-up study with alcohol-dependent patients who completed an inpatient treatment program. A sample of 139 out of originally 190 patients was successfully followed up 7 years after index alcohol treatment. After 7 years, 56% of patients (total surviving sample: 46%, 21 [11.1%] patients deceased during the follow-up time interval) were abstinent. Our results show that being a non-smoker at treatment entry is a predictor for alcohol abstinence 7 years later. The rate of non-smokers among the abstinent patients increased by 32%. Potential explanations for our findings lie in carry-over effects. Skills and insights gained in treatment of alcohol dependence could be instrumental in coping with smoking behavior as well. Non-smokers may have more functional coping abilities from the beginning. We conclude that it is warranted and recommendable to explore the willingness of alcohol-dependent patients to quit smoking and to offer them treatment options addressing this point.
Hintz
Thomas
T
Department for Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany. thomas.hintz@zi-mannheim.de
Mann
Karl
K
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D013695:Temperance; D016896:Treatment Outcome