Smokeless tobacco use among addiction patients: a brief report

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence and treatment outcome of smokeless tobacco (ST) use among hospitalized addiction patients is unclear. METHODS: Using initially a retrospective and then a prospective study design, data were collected about patients who described "other tobacco use." The data examined included demographics, medical disorders, psychiatric conditions, nicotine treatment and outcome. RESULTS: The data from the two samples were consistent. All subjects were Caucasian males, mean age 38.5 years, with daily ST use for at least one year. Most had alcohol dependence. The prevalence rate was 3% retrospectively and 7% prospectively. Interventions included nicotine gum and patches. All subjects abstained from ST use during hospitalization but follow-up data were limited. CONCLUSION: These observations are consistent with reports of ST use being more common in males in the general population and its association with alcohol dependence. Further research is needed into effective long-term treatment for ST use among addiction or psychiatric patients.