Smoking May Hurt Your Ability To Quit Drinking

Could smoking hurt your ability to cut alcohol once and for all? Researchers at the University of Buffalo Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) have found that a small number of clients who smoke have shorter stays in alcohol treatment programs than non-smokers, along with poorer treatment outcomes than non-smokers.

For the study, researchers analyzed more than 21,000 adult treatment seekers from 253 community outpatient substance abuse clinics across New York State.

"The data suggest that smoking is associated with difficulties in alcohol treatment," said lead study author Kimberly Walitzer, PhD, deputy director and senior research scientist at RIA, in a news release. "Tobacco smokers had shorter treatment durations and were less likely to have achieved their alcohol-related goals at discharge relative to their nonsmoking counterparts.

"This should be a major concern for treatment providers, as the majority of people with alcohol disorders are, in fact, smokers," she added.

Though Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that less than 20 percent of people are regular smokers, many have alcohol use disorders. 

"Previous research indicates that if people can quit smoking when entering alcohol treatment, they may have better alcohol outcomes," Walitzer concluded. "However, simultaneous cessation is a task that is very challenging to accomplish."

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Substance Use and Misuse.