title: Non-daily smoking predicts hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders in young adults in a longitudinal U.S. sample.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is known that daily smoking is associated with the development of alcohol use disorders. However, non-daily smoking is prevalent in young adults and is associated with increased rates of problematic alcohol use in cross-sectional data. It is unknown whether non-daily smoking is predictive of hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders using longitudinal data. The primary aim of the present investigation was to explore the temporal relationship between non-daily smoking and drinking in young adults, and secondarily, whether college status modified this relationship.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using Waves 1 (2001-2002) and 2 (2004-2005) of the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), we examined the predictive relationship of smoking status at Wave 1 and change in college status between Waves on alcohol drinking, hazardous drinking, and alcohol abuse and dependence disorders at Wave 2. The sample was restricted to individuals aged 18-25 years at Wave 1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Daily and non-daily smokers at Wave 1, compared to nonsmokers, were at a greater risk for hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders at Wave 2, after controlling for Wave 1 drinking. College status did not modify smoking and drinking interactions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings indicate non-daily smoking is predictive of increased, problematic alcohol use among young adults longitudinally and they support increasing evidence that non-daily smokers represent an important population. Future research should be conducted to continue developing targeted interventions. Early treatments for smoking behavior might have a beneficial effect on reducing the development of problematic patterns of alcohol use and alcohol use disorders.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA.
authors: Emily L R
authors: EL
authors: Harrison
authors: Sherry A
authors: SA
authors: McKee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult