Switching to Coffee...

[Chy]

..now who needs a study to tell us what we already know. LOL


<script language="JavaScript"> OAS_AD('ArticleFlex_1'); </script><script language="javascript1.1" src="http://gannett.gcion.com/addyn/3.0/5111.1/133600/0/0/ADTECH;alias=news.wbir.com_ArticleFlex_1;cookie=in fo;loc=100;target=_blank;grp=215582;misc=123273012 8775"></script> <script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="http://optimized-by.rubiconproject.com/a/4275/4801/11652-9.js?cb=0.21733665707084604&keyword=4289"></script>Almost all recovering alcoholics trade in their bottles of booze for cups of joe.
A Vanderbilt University study has found that 88.5 percent of recovering alcoholics drink coffee regularly, compared with 57 percent of the rest of the population. Recovering alcoholics also imbibe coffee with more gusto ? one-third drink more than four cups a day.

"This study leads us to believe that there may be something in coffee that may facilitate the abstinence of alcohol," said Dr. Peter Martin, a VU professor of psychiatry and pharmacology, adding that identifying such a component could lead to the creation of a medication to treat alcoholism.
The study ? which involved 289 member of Alcoholics Anonymous from Nashville ? also found that recovering alcoholics smoke more than the general public, but less than active alcoholics. Roughly 57 percent of the recovering alcoholics smoke, compared with 27 percent of Nashville residents and 85 percent of alcoholics.

While Martin suspects that coffee may help people quit drinking, he says smoking may do the opposite. He said animal studies have shown that increased nicotine levels cause increased alcohol consumption.
"Quitting smoking may actually help you quit drinking," he said.
Most coffee drinkers in the study reported using coffee as a way to wake up.

The study will be featured in the October print issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.