Comparison of a population-based sample of "risky drinking" smokers and groups consuming just one substance

This population-based study compares a group of "risky drinking" smokers (n = 137) with groups of either smokers (n = 730) or "risky drinkers" (n = 173) regarding sociodemographic, behavioral and motivational variables. The study took place in a rural and urban region of Germany in 1997. No differences were found in sociodemographics, nicotine-related variables, frequency of alcohol consumption, and most alcohol-related diagnoses. People who drink and smoke show a higher proportion of alcohol dependence (ES: h = .20), drink more alcohol per occasion (ES: d = .39), and are more motivated to decrease alcohol consumption (ES: h = .45). The data suggest focusing research in more alcohol-related clinical settings and examining the relationship between smoking cessation and alcohol reduction.