Aims: To investigate a possible association of nicotine dependence and alcohol craving.
Design: A prospective cross-sectional study on patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence.
Setting: Detoxification unit of a regional psychiatric hospital.
Participants: A total of 127 smoking male patients were included in the study at admission for detoxification from alcohol.
Measurements: The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was used to assess the severity of nicotine dependence while the Obsessive Compulsive Craving Scale (OCDS) was used to measure alcohol craving. The OCDS was assessed at admission and after 7 days of withdrawal treatment, distinguishing the total score, the obsessive and the compulsive subscale.
Findings: Spearman's correlation revealed a significant association between the extent of alcohol craving and the FTND score (day 0, n = 127: OCDS total score r = 0.238, P = 0.007; OCDS compulsive score r = 0.280, P = 0.001; day 7; n = 94: OCDS total score r = 0.212, P = 0.040; OCDS compulsive score r = 0.225, P = 0.029).
Conclusions: The severity of nicotine dependence is associated with higher craving in alcohol-dependent patients. These results point towards shared pathophysiological mechanisms in alcohol craving and nicotine addiction.