Many adults know someone who only smoke when they go out to a bar or restaurant that serves alcohol. There's
always been curiosity as to whether there was a neurological relationship between the two or a social one, as in
trying to fit in with everyone else who's smoking and drinking.
Studies seem to have proven that there is indeed a direct relationship between the
two, and it may explain why smokers that drink have a harder problem giving up smoking than drinkers who smoke
have with giving up alcohol.
Smoking introduces nicotine into the body, which increases
the amount of dopamine in the brain and gives
people a feeling of well being. Alcohol works differently in that it goes into the body and diffuses itself
almost immediately into the bloodstream, which goes everywhere, including the brain. Alcohol also gets into
the central nervous system, which controls motor functions, and eventually takes that over as well. Initially
alcohol acts as a stimulant, but eventually turns into more of a sedative. As the body relaxes, the brain also
relaxes, making the effects of dopamine in the brain feel even more powerful. Even at low levels, alcohol's
effects on people are amazing, as people observing them will notice more rapid and slurred speech and a relaxation
of inhibitions.
One study in particular, performed in 2005 at the University of Chicago, proved this relationship. What
they did was find 16 people who were non-alcoholics but heavy social drinkers and light smokers, and put
them through a series of tests. The data that came out suggested that people who drink are more likely to
smoke, and the heavier they drank, the more they smoked. And, contrary to beliefs going in that the
relationship between the two was nicotine might offset the effects of alcohol, instead it seems that alcohol,
especially when it's acting as a stimulant, encourages smoking, and that the urges are stronger if someone
engages in binge drinking. One extra piece from the study also said that alcohol induced cigarette cravings
are related more to the positive effects of nicotine, as opposed to relieving negative moods.
So, based on this information, a couple other conclusions came about. One, it's almost impossible to give
up smoking and still drink alcohol, because the cravings for cigarettes after drinking even a little bit
can be overwhelming, and once the reduction of inhibitions takes place, all bets are off. However, one
can stop drinking and not have to give up cigarettes, although they should, because dopamine doesn't
encourage people to drink, only to smoke more.
Therefore, while traditionally detoxification in hospitals has allowed smokers to continue smoking while
going through treatment; more physicians are starting to try to wean people off both at the same time.
This makes the process more difficult, as now a person has two things they crave that they have to try to
get beyond, sometimes feeling the same effects from quitting, sometimes feeling diverse reactions. However,
studies show that people in recovery for other addictions who delay smoking
cessation can later relapse to their chemical dependency because of the stress of quitting smoking six to 18 months later; this includes alcohol.
If you're a smoker and a drinker, for cessation to take place you're going to have to be ready to make
a total life choice. One can try to give up one and stay with the other, but it's not going to be easy to do.
Still, it's best for you to try to stop smoking as soon as you can.
