The Influence of Smoking and Smokeless Tobacco on the Progression, Severity and Treatment Outcome in Alcohol-Dependent Individuals

• The influence of tobacco use in alcohol-dependent individuals is not well understood, especially the role of snuffing, which is common in Northern Europe. The aim was therefore to investigate the influence of smoking and snuffing on the progression, severity and treatment outcome in alcohol-dependent individuals. The hypotheses were that concomitant tobacco use (i.e. smoking or snuffing) would enhance the progression and severity of alcohol dependence and be less beneficial for treatment outcome, relative to tobacco non-users. Alcohol-dependent individuals (n = 347) were recruited from three treatment units specialized in alcohol use disorders. Participants were interviewed about their current and past alcohol and tobacco use at treatment entry and at a follow-up interview 2.5 years thereafter. The tobacco users (smokers and snuffers) had an earlier alcohol debut compared to the tobacco never-users. Snuffers reported regular alcohol consumption and inebriation at an earlier age in contrast to smokers and tobacco never-users. There were no difference between the groups regarding treatment outcome. This study highlights the importance of studying not only the influence of smoking but also of snuffing on the progression, severity and treatment outcome in individuals with alcohol dependence.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

nicotine dependence

cigarette-smoking

use disorders

relapse

predictors

abstinence

criteria

health

allele

sample

Substance Abuse

merleau cs

1987

psychophysiology

v24

p278

lellan at

1992

journal of substance abuse treatment

v9

p199

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)