title: Non-suicidal self-injury by intravenous application of nicotine in a patient with borderline personality disorder resulting in substance dependence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-suicidal self-injury in many different forms is a classic struggle for those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Some common ways of NSSI are cutting, scratching and head-banging.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 23-year old woman with BPD presented in our clinic with a 4-month history of intravenous application of a liquid dosage form of nicotine that is generally used for nasal application. Accordingly, the patient developed nicotine dependency (ICD-10 F17.25). Before her admission to our ward the daily intravenous nicotine application was around 33 mg. The in-patient detoxification proceeded without a remarkable withdrawal syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A case of regular intravenous administration of nicotine has been observed, apparently resulting in nicotine dependence in a person with borderline personality disorder. The original intent appears to have been self-harm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, University of Ulm, Leimgrubenweg 12–14, Ulm, Germany. maximilian.gahr@uni-ulm.de
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gahr
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Freudenmann
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schönfeldt-Lecuona
mesh_terms: D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000528:radiation effects; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D011145:Polyvinyls; D009538:Nicotine