Treatment of nicotine dependence with nicotine replacement and group therapy. Results of a one year follow up

Background: Smoking is the main single avoidable cause of death in our coun try. Little research in the treatment of such disorder has been made. Aim: To report the results of a prospective follow up for one year of outpatient s from our "Smoker's Clinic" at the Department of Psychiatry of the Catholi c University. Patients and methods: One hundred twenty seven patients (84 m ale, aged 21 to 70 years old), with DSM-IV criteria for nicotine dependence were included in a total of 18 groups. Each group received an intensive tr eatment program of 10 sessions with cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention techniques and nicotine replacement. Patients with active psychiatric dise ases were not included in the program. Results: Eighty seven percent of sub jects were abstinent at the first month and 50% were still abstinent after twelve months of follow up. We did not find differences in gender, age, pre vious psychiatric disease, number of cigarettes and breath carbon monoxide level between abstinent and non abstinent patients after 12 months of follo w up. Conclusion: This intensive nicotine dependence treatment in seriously dependent patients, proved to be successful, regardless of the previous ps ychiatric history.