Smokeless tobacco dependence managed by Phosphorous in LM potency - A case report

The use of smokeless tobacco (SLT)products is common in India and is associated with several health hazards. Non nicotine replacement therapies are widely accepted by the Food and Drug Administration in India to enable cessation of tobacco smoking. However, their risks limit their use. Thus appropriate treatment method with minimal to no side effects for the cessation of tobacco is a necessity. A 25 year old man with a dependence on Hans (chapped tobacco) was treated with the homoeopathic remedy Phosphorus in LM (50 millessimal) potency. His Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence SLT score was initially 6, it went down to 3 after 4 months of treatment and 0 after 7 months of treatment. The patient has been stable for 18 months. In this case, individualized homoeopathic treatment has shown a positive role in the significant reduction in SLT dependence without causing any adverse events. Further studies are required in this area.