ABSTRACT
Background: Tobacco use is an epidemic known as “the brown plague” affec?ng one billion lives in the 21st century and 80% in developing countries. Prevalence of smoking is especially high in pa?ents with psychiatric illness with an ongoing debate over which comes first. Studies about nico?ne consump?on in psychiatric pa?ents are few from developing countries. Hence, this study is designed to iden?fy socio-demographic and diagnos?c correlates of nico?ne use. Aims and Objec?ves:- To es?mate the pa?ern of nico?ne use and determine the associa?on between sociodemographic profile, onset of nico?ne use, it’s use as a coping mechanism, psychological associa?on with nico?ne use in psychologically ill pa?ents. Material and methods:- A cross-sec?onal study including 101 pa?ents with nico?ne use and psychiatric illness were administered a semi structured ques?onnaire, Fagerstrom Test for Nico?ne Dependence(FTND) and nico?ne dependence syndrome scale. Data analyzed with mean, standard devia?on, chi- square, ANOVA Results:-Nico?ne use was more common in middle age group with alcohol dependence followed by depression. Nico?ne use was not associated with background, socioeconomic status, gender. Majority tried to quit for health but what kept them with nico?ne were drive, stereotypy, con?nuity, priority. Conclusions:- Nico?ne is a commonly abused substance in psychiatric pa?ents without a clear demarca?on about the cause effect rela?onship. The exis?ng study gives few insights into reasons for nico?ne intake which was more so among the produc?ve age group. Hence, there is a need for further research about psychotropic drug interac?ons with nico?ne use and focus on integra?on of nico?ne cessa?on into treatment of other psychiatric disorders rather than separate deaddic?on clinics to alleviate the illness burden.