Tobacco dependence with psychological and behavioural disturbances in a young adult treated with homoeopathy-a case report

Abstract

Tobacco use disorder is one of the most prevalent public health problems and deadly substance use disorders, responsible for the majority of preventable deaths, with over 1.4 billion people using tobacco worldwide. It is associated with many non-communicable chronic diseases and predisposes to many communicable diseases, too. The greatest challenge facing smokers who wish to quit is nicotine withdrawal symptoms. These include dysphoric or depressed mood, insomnia, irritability, frustration, anger, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, decreased heart rate and increased appetite or weight gain. Homoeopathy can help in reducing the nicotine craving and detoxification of residual nicotine and nicotine byproducts. A 24-year-old male with an 11-year history of cigarette smoking was consulted at Psychiatry outpatient department (OPD), National Homeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam, with complaints of increased agitation, anxiety, irritability, anger outbursts, suicidal threats, and physical symptoms like headache, and reduced sleep. The condition was diagnosed with mental and behavioural disorders due to tobacco. Based on the totality of symptoms and repertorization, a homoeopathic medicine, Staphysagria, was given. In response to medicine, his tobacco dependence gradually reduced. The improvement in tobacco addiction was assessed using the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND scale). The score improved from 8 (severe dependence) to 0 (nil dependence). The causal attribution for the outcome changes was assessed using the Monarch inventory for Homoeopathy. The score was +8, close to the maximum (13), showing the positive relationship between the intervention and the outcome. Therefore, this case emphasises homoeopathic treatment's positive role in treating tobacco dependence.