Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108374

Page Chiapella, PhD and Joanne Fertig, PhD. Division of Treatment and Recovery Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 5635 Fishers Lane, Room 2044, MSC 9304, Bethesda, MD 20892-9304, (301) 443-4715, pchiapel@mail.nih.gov

High levels of comorbidity between alcohol and tobacco dependence pose special problems for public health. For example, up to seventy percent of alcoholics in treatment are smokers, a rate that is about three times higher than that in the general population. Compared to other smokers, alcoholics in treatment smoke more heavily, are more addicted to nicotine and are less successful at quitting. These characteristics put them at greatly increased risk for the synergistic effects of alcohol and nicotine on the development of certain cancers and cardiovascular disease. In addition to exacerbating health risks, smoking affects the process and course of recovery from alcohol and may serve as a precipitant to relapse.

How do alcoholics in the general population differ from those in treatment? A recent national survey of the U.S. general population (National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions), sponsored by the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, included a representative sample of over 43,000 participants. Respondents were asked in-depth about alcohol, tobacco and other substances, and mental health. Questionnaires were designed to allow extensive evaluation of substance dependence and evaluation of various psychological comorbidities. We report on these data which provide a recent comprehensive view of alcohol, tobacco and other comorbidities as currently seen in the general population. Compared to treatment samples, patterns of comorbidities differ for alcoholics in the general population, most of whom never receive treatment. It is important to understand these differences and their public health implications.

Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will understand that there is a strong relationship between alcohol and tobacco use and abuse, an increased risk of psychological comorbidities among joint users, and their public health implications.

Keywords: Alcohol, Tobacco

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation