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Most people have always known that there is a connection between alcohol addiction and nicotine, but new research proves this fact and may explain why.
Statistics show that casual smokers who do not smoke every day also do not consume alcohol regularly. On the downside to this little statistic, casual smokers are more likely to participate in hazardous drinking practices and to develop drinking disorders.
Is it true that if you don’t smoke, you’re more likely to engage in dangerous drinking?
A study was conducted of 5,838 young adults. This study revealed that occasional smokers are 16 times more likely to engage in hazardous drinking than daily smokers.
Researchers have found information linking smoking behaviors to alcohol (binge drinking, hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders). When nonsmokers and daily smokers were compared, smokers were five times more likely to meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder diagnosis.
Experts have concluded that smoke-free bans in bars and restaurants are extremely effective in reducing both smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
The rate of smoking among recovering alcoholics is more than triple than that of the general public. It’s estimated that approximately 21 % of the population smokes cigarettes, however, among chemically dependent individuals, the rate jumps between 80 % and 95 %.
Because of the damage that is done to the human body from excessive alcohol consumption, experts say that recovering alcoholics who continue to smoke are at a much greater health risk for developing smoking-related diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Most recovering alcoholics don’t even attempt to quit smoking because they are advised to “take one addiction at a time”. Also, many people who are providing treatment for alcohol addiction also tend to be smokers. The fact of the matter is that even if a smoker thinks not smoking is a smarter and healthier choice, most smokers want other smokers to continue smoking and to fail at quitting in order to justify their habit.
There is a definite link between alcohol abuse and smoking. Research will continue to make further discoveries, but above all, time will tell the most. Many people who are recovering alcoholics or recovering drug addicts think that if they can overcome alcohol and drug addiction, they can overcome anything. For the most part, this is true, however, what everyone needs to understand is that nicotine addiction is much more addicting than any other drug available.
If you think you may have an alcohol problem, speak to a professional about the help that’s available to you. It’s important that you take care of yourself.
Tags: alcohol addiction, cigarette, kick the habit, nicotine addiction, nicotine withdrawal, quit smoking, smoking cessation, stop smoking
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