Berrettini_2004_Psychiatry.(Edgmont)_1_12

PSYCHIATRISTS MUST BE CONCERNED with nicotine dependence (ND), because habitual smoking is so common among individuals with psychiatric disorders.(1) For example, approximately 90% of alcohol-dependent and opioid-dependent persons are also dependent on nicotine.(2,3) In addition, de Leon et al(4) found that approximately 80% of patients with schizophrenia are daily smokers. Given the long-term negative health consequences of daily smoking, psychiatrists must make treatment of ND in their patients a clinical focus.