Factors influencing alcohol and tobacco addiction among patients attending a de-addiction Centre, South India

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol and tobacco consumption are highly correlated behaviors. AIM: To assess the factors influencing alcohol and tobacco addiction and their impact on personal, family, and social life among patients attending the Spandana Nursing Home and De-addiction Centre, Bangalore. The objectives are to assess the various factors leading to alcohol and tobacco addiction, to assess the influence of addiction on personal, family, and social life, and also to create awareness among the community with regard to the causes, impact, and ill-effects of alcohol and tobacco addiction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational study with a cross-section design was conducted from September 2006 to November 2006. A questionnaire was used to collect information pertaining to different aspects like family influences, parental prompts, peer pressure, age factor, financial constraints, occupation and career problems, and relation with family members and friends, which influenced the participants to initiate the use of tobacco and alcohol. On the basis of the pilot survey the sample size was fixed to be 200. The data recorded was entered into the computer and analyzed using the statistical package SPSS 10. RESULTS: A majority of 83 (41.5%) were influenced by peer pressure, followed by nine (4.55) due to family problems, 16 (8%) due to financial drawbacks, 14 (7%) were stress- and job-related, 12 (6%) under family problems and peer pressure, seven (3.5%) stated a feeling of loneliness and insecurity, four (2%) because they were unable to cope with challenges, and he remaining four (2%) were influenced by elders in the family with similar habits. CONCLUSION: Several potential mechanisms promote the combined use of alcohol and nicotine. Investigators and researchers still need to fully elucidate and consider the roles of various genetic, neurobiological, conditioning, and psychosocial factors in developing a more thorough understanding of this dual addiction.