The strong comorbidity among alcohol use disorders (AUDs), nicotine dependence (ND) and mood and anxietydisorders has been well documented in both clinical and epidemiologic studies. The majority of those with mental disorders will meet the criteria for another mental disorder or AUD or ND at some point in their lives (Merikangas & Kalaydjian, 2007; Kessler & Wang, 2008). This comorbidity of AUD, ND and psychiatric disorders complicates service utilization, diagnosis, treatment outcome and prognosis, and thus has been recognized as a major public health concern associated with substantial personal and societal costs (Australian Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy, 1998; U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2001).
