teria for alcohol dependence. Compared to those without nicotine, 20.8 percent had a diagnosis of alcohol dependence. In the study, genetic factors accounted for 59.6 percent and 51.5 percent of the risk for alcohol and nicotine dependence respectively. At the same time, shared family environmental experiences did not largely account for increased risk of nicotine or alcohol dependence. Even less significant was the correlation between separate or unique environmental factors as they contribute to the dual addiction of alcohol and nicotine. This study referenced the correlation between alcohol and nicotine dependence in male-male twins who may have had the extensive exposure of cigarettes and alcohol in the military as a major contributing factor. This would support a possible genetic predisposition as will as the shared environmental exposure factor.It is important to note that this research study did not focus on the dual addiction process as the female-female twin population experiences it. To date there is no substantial data for the female population. It is also important to note that this data may not be generalized to non-military individuals or populations. The study exhibits a number of strengths in terms of reliability. The data was collected from a structured interview and the diagnoses were derived from standardized DSM-III-R criteria. Estimates of the reliability of the estimates were good to excellent. Data was collected from a large nationally distributed, non-clinical population.The combined use of alcohol and nicotine constitutes serious and chronic problems. The use of tobacco products causes throat and lung cancer as well as emphysema and heart disease. About four hundred thousand deaths in the United States are tobacco related. Hurt and colleagues (1996) found that tobacco related health problems were associated with 50.9 percent of deaths among addicted people and were twice those anticipated for the general popula...
