Understanding Nicotine and Depression

It is likely that nurse practitioners (NPs) will see patients who are chronic smokers and also depressed. Nicotine-dependent smokers are twice as likely to experience major depression compared to nondependent smokers and non-smokers. Biological and cognitive learning models provide an understanding of the relationship between the 2 conditions. Clinicians in primary care settings can select strategies of assessment, treatment, and education to care for patients presenting with these co-occurring conditions.