Tobacco dependence (TD) often coexists with alcohol dependence. Previous research documented that both biological and environmental factors influence simultaneous development of the two disorders. However, it has not been determined whether the same psychological and psychopathological factors affect TD in alcohol-dependent males and females.

The objective of the study was to assess risk factors for high severity of TD in alcohol-dependent individuals considering gender differences.

The study entailed two groups: male (n = 284) and female (n = 102) subjects entering alcohol addiction treatment programs in Warsaw, Poland. Standardized instruments were used to assess: severity of TD – Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, personality traits – NEO-Five Factor Inventory to assess, consequences of drinking – Short Inventory of Problems, impulsivity – Barratt Impulsivity Scale, and Sleep Disorder Questionnaire-7 as a measure of insomnia.

In the studied sample, current smokers comprised 79.1% (n = 225) of male and 79.4% (n = 81) of female participants. Multivariate regression model showed that high negative consequences of drinking (P = 0.001) and low NEO Openness score (P = 0.009) were associated with high risk of TD in female alcoholics (corr. R2 = 0.223; P < 0.0005). Bivariate analyses showed that TD was associated with impulsivity, openness, agreeableness and neuroticism in male alcohol-dependent subjects. Insomnia was the only significant predictor for high severity of TD in the males (corr. R2 = 0.068; P = 0.002).

Different factors contribute to severity of tobacco dependence in male and female alcohol-dependent individuals entering addiction treatment.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.