Depression and Substance Abuse and Dependency in Relation to Current Smoking Status and Frequency of Smoking among Nondaily and Daily Smokers

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Carla Berg, Emory University; Hefei Wen, Emory University; Janet Cummings, Emory University; Jasjit S. Ahluwalia, University of Minnesota; Benjamin Druss, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2013-11-01
• Publisher: Wiley: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1521-0391.2013.12041.x
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: American Journal on Addictions
• ISSN: 1055-0496
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 6
• Start Page: 581
• End Page: 589
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by NIMH grant K24MH075867 (Dr. Druss) and the NIH/National Center for Minority Health Disparities 1P60MD003422-01 (Dr. Ahluwalia).
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; CIGARETTE-SMOKING; WITHDRAWAL; OCCASIONAL SMOKING; DRUG-USE; LIGHT; Substance Abuse; MAJOR DEPRESSION; SYMPTOMS; CESSATION; NICOTINE; UNITED-STATES
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, General; Psychology, General

Abstract

Background and Objectives Daily smoking rates are decreasing while intermittent or nondaily smoking rates are increasing. Little is known about the association of depression, alcohol abuse and dependence, and illicit drug abuse and dependence with different patterns of smoking, particularly nondaily smoking. Thus, we examined these relationships among current smokers versus nonsmokers and among those who smoke daily versus less frequently. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of 37,897 adults who participated in the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. We developed logistic regression models examining predictors of (i) current smoking and (ii) number of days smoking per month (1-10 days, 11-29 days, and ≥30 days) among current smokers, focusing on past-year major depression, alcohol abuse and dependence, and illicit drug abuse and dependence. Results Compared to nonsmokers, current smokers more frequently reported a major depressive episode (p <.001), alcohol dependence (p <.001) and abuse (p <.001), and illicit drug dependence (p <.001) and abuse (p <.001), controlling for sociodemographics. Among current smokers, greater smoking frequency was associated with illicit drug dependence (p =.004), but lower likelihood of alcohol dependence (p =.01), alcohol abuse (p =.01), and illicit drug abuse (p =.01). Conclusions Although depression and substance use were associated with greater likelihood of smoking, most measures were inversely associated with frequency of smoking. Thus, it is important to examine underlying mechanisms contributing to these counterintuitive findings in order to inform intervention approaches. Scientific Significance With increased rates of nondaily smoking, developing a greater understanding about the mental health correlates related to this pattern of smoking is critical.