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DrugScreening.org


 
Research: Smoking More Dangerous than Drinking
December 5, 2000

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Research Summary

In looking at the links between smoking and alcoholism, researchers from the University of Vermont determined that alcoholic smokers are more likely to die from problems caused by smoking than from drinking, HealthScout reported Nov. 30. They further noted that smokers with a history of alcoholism might benefit from nicotine gum, patches and other substitutes for smoking.

Researchers examined 20 smokers with a history of alcoholism and 10 smokers who were not alcoholics. The study group abstained from cigarettes for four days. Smokers without a history of alcoholism showed no preference for nicotine gum, while those with a history of alcoholism chewed more milligrams of nicotine each day.

"The next step I would find interesting would be to look at the idea of how to tackle both addictions -- sequentially or at the same time? And if you do it sequentially, which one makes the most sense to do first?" noted Gail L. Rose, research associate at the University of Vermont and project manager for the study led by professor of psychiatry John R. Hughes.

Figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show a strong connection between alcoholism and smoking. According to the data, 90 percent of alcoholics smoke, compared with 24 percent of the general adult population.

The study is published in this month's issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

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