[Tobacco dependence treatment]

Nicotine is a highly addictive drug with long-term effects on somatic and nervous systems of an individual. The tobacco dependence is a chronic disease which requires an intensive and complex treatment. The treatment should be focused on physical as well as psychological dependence. Nicotine dependence is a disease with a high relapse tendency, therefore requiring long-term therapy as well as patients determination and motivation.

We have focused on evaluation of results of our tobacco dependence center over previous 3 years (2010, 2011, 2012). The treatment success is evaluated one year after the first visit at the center (therefore the results for 2012 are not yet available).

In 2010, 57 new patients visited our tobacco dependence center (34 men and 23 women); the average age of the patients was 42.3 years. The treatment was successful in 15 out of 57 patients (26.3%). In 2011, 40 new patients (23 men and 17 women) visited the center; the average age was 45 years. The treatment was successful in 13 out of 40 patients (32.5%). In 2012, 50 new patients visited the center, the average age of the patients was 44.4 years. As the success of the treatment is evaluated in yearly intervals, the results for 2012 are not yet available.

Treatment of nicotine dependence is essential for the prevention of cardiovascular, pulmonary and oncological diseases. In previous 3 years, 147 new patients visited our tobacco dependence center. The average age of patients coming to the center in order to start treatment was 43.9 years, and their nicotine dependence was fully developed. In the future, we would like to focus on younger age groups, where in general the onset of the dependence is very frequent.