Many Recovering Alcoholics Depend on Coffee, Cigarettes

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18 July 2008

But smoking may increase the likelihood of relapse, expert says.

Of the more than 1 million Americans who join Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), almost all drink coffee and close to 60 percent smoke, Vanderbilt University researchers report.

Most recovering alcoholics drink coffee for its stimulatory effects, and smoking reduces feelings of depression, anxiety and irritability, the researchers noted.

"Normally, coffee drinking and cigarette smoking go together," said lead researcher Dr. Peter R. Martin, director of the Vanderbilt Addiction Center. "But recovering alcoholics tend to smoke less than drink coffee." <Full article>