Counseling for recreational drug use among patients with chronic inflammatory skin disease: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Multiple dermatologic diseases are associated with recreational drug use. Using a survey design, we approached patients with psoriasis, rosacea, and hidradenitis suppurativa to evaluate whether the patients had received counseling on drug use. In our sample, half of the patients with hidradenitis suppurativa were active smokers, and most had received smoking cessation counseling. Patients with psoriasis were also aware of an association with smoking yet not at the same rates as the hidradenitis suppurativa population. Future research is needed to corroborate this data in a larger sample, and to establish improved means to support lifestyle changes and interventions for dermatologic patients.