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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2015 Sep:48:52-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.04.004. Epub 2015 Apr 29.

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

Kristin M Berg  1 , Megan E Piper  2 , Stevens S Smith  3 , Michael C Fiore  4 , Douglas E Jorenby  5
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

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

Kristin M Berg et al. Addict Behav. 2015 Sep.

Abstract

Introduction: Alcohol and nicotine are commonly used substances in the U.S., with significant impacts on health. Using both substances concurrently impacts quit attempts. While studies have sought to examine changes in alcohol use co-occurring with tobacco cessation, results have not been consistent. Understanding these changes has clinical implications. The objective of this study is to identify changes in alcohol consumption that occur following tobacco cessation, as well as predictors of alcohol use patterns following a smoking cessation attempt.

Methods: A secondary analysis of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of five tobacco cessation pharmacotherapies. Participants (N=1301) reported their smoking and alcohol consumption daily for two weeks prior to, and two weeks after, the target quit date (TQD).

Results: Generally, alcohol use decreased post-TQD. Smokers who reported less pre-quit alcohol use, as well as smokers who were female, non-white, and had a history of alcohol dependence tended to use less alcohol post-quit. Pre- and post-quit alcohol use were more strongly related among men and among those without a history of alcohol dependence.

Conclusions: For most smokers alcohol use decreased following smoking cessation. These results suggest that the expectation should be of decreased alcohol use post cessation. However, attention may be warranted for those who drink higher amounts of alcohol pre-cessation because they may be more likely to drink more in the post-quit period which may influence smoking cessation success.

Keywords: Alcohol use; Smoking cessation; Tobacco use.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

Author DJ has received research support from Nabi Biopharmaceuticals and Pfizer. Authors KB, MP, MF report no current or recent (five year) potential conflicts. Author SS has received research support as a co-investigator on an investigator-initiated research project funded by Pfizer, Inc. in the past five years.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Change in Alcohol Use after Target Quit Date.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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