[The influence of tobacco smoking on alcohol craving during alcoholism rehabilitation treatment programme].

AIM Scientific data indicates that 80% alcohol dependent patients smoke cigarettes. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of cigarette smoking on the severity of alcohol craving and therefore -on the efficacy of treatment and continuing sobriety in alcohol dependent individuals. METHOD We examined 82 adults (57 men and 25 women), meeting the ICD-10 alcohol dependence criteria, undergoing alcohol dependence therapy, who were divided into two groups--smoking and non-smoking (male and female). Twice during the study--between the 7th and 14th day and 50th and 90th day of therapy--subjects were examined with the use of a structured questionnaire, including basic demographic data, the Nicotine Dependence Test and the Nicotine Dependence Questionnaire by Fagerstrom and the Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale by Anton. RESULTS The study was accomplished by 76 patients. In 80% of the alcohol dependent smokers the number of cigarettes per day remains unchanged. There were no significant differences in alcohol craving between smokers and non-smokers.