Data shows that up to 90 percent of people addicted to alcohol also smoke. The connection goes the other way too. Smokers are more likely to drink alcohol and are 2.7 times more likely to become alcohol dependent than non-smokers. While smoking rates have steadily declined over the past three decades, smoking rates among alcoholics have remained persistently high.
Alcohol and nicotine act on common mechanisms in the brain, creating complex interactions. Recent studies show that smoking may serve as a neurological cue to having a drink. Researchers think that alcohol fosters feelings of pleasure, which reinforce the effects of nicotine. Since nicotine stimulates and alcohol sedates the body, the two may moderate each other’s effects.
Studies suggest that the same set of genes that predispose an individual to alcoholism may also predispose them to smoking. Your genes may also put you at higher risk for certain diseases associated with smoking and drinking.
The data is clear: drinking makes it harder to quit smoking. But quitting drinking and smoking at the same time is incredibly hard, so it’s generally not recommended by doctors. Seek professional help if you are a committed drinker trying to reduce smoking. A doctor or therapist can be a consistent source of accountability and support. They can help you pinpoint emotional triggers, find coping strategies, and help prevent slip-ups, even if you maintain a modest level of drinking.
