Smoking Rates After Cessation of Alcohol and/or Cocaine: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the change in smoking rates in alcohol and/or cocaine dependent patients after the cessation of the primary drug of use. Design: A self-report questionnaire was administered upon admission to a Residential Treatment Facility, in the fourth week, and in the final (sixth) week of the program. The control group was administered a self-report questionnaire at the time of intake as controls and again four and six weeks later. Setting: Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) a 30 bed inpatient alcohol and drug treatment unit, at Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Georgia. Patients: A Total of 42 patients; 37 male, 5 female; Controls were 40 non-patient smokers; 30 male, 10 female. Main Outcome Measure: The change in number of cigarettes smoked per day. Results: A repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that smoking changed over time, F(2,68) = 24.63, p \u3c .001. Conclusions: There was a 37% decrease in smoking rates after the cessation of alcohol and/or cocaine use. This meaningful and statistically significant (p \u3c .001) reduction was not observed in the control group (p \u3e .05), and was seen regardless of sex, race, or whether the primary substance was alcohol and/or cocaine