Americans drink and smoke heavily, and experts have observed that some of the heaviest drinkers in this country are also the heaviest smokers and vice versa. Clinical studies have suggested that one addiction often reinforces the other and makes the addict drink and smoke simultaneously out of habitual necessity. It means that when you are sitting with two shots of your favorite Bourbon or Rye's and one pack of Winston, there is a good chance that you would continue drinking and smoking together. Nicotine triggers the release of a chemical called dopamine in your brain and so does alcohol. This chemical gives you pleasure and excites you to drink and smoke at the same time to double that pleasure.

Another reason why you may find it difficult to resist cigarettes while drinking is that cigarettes often increase the rewarding effects of alcohol, giving you a sense of fulfillment when you smoke and drink at the same time.

From what you have read so far, you may want to believe that tobacco and alcohol are good pals to give you company in times of celebration. Notwithstanding the damage they incur on your health on their own, they can be an embarrassing combination if you are taking the quit smoking drug Chantix. This medicine contains varenicline as its active ingredient. Varenicline restricts the release of dopamine and diminishes your urge to smoke. But if you drink after taking the drug, you may show signs of neuropsychiatric behavior and throw a tantrum at the next office party. For more about Chantix side effects, please talk to your doctor.