Fagerstrom Test

The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence is a standard instrument for assessing the intensity of physical addiction to nicotine. Because most people smoke tobacco containing nicotine rather than chew it, you'll find that the test uses the words "smoker" and "smoking" rather than "chewer" and ""chewing" etc. if you use tobacco in any form other than smoking, please just substitute your words to describe your behavior and substance. The underlying concepts principles and issues are the same, regarded list of the product(s) you use.

Patients who quit smoking and relapse within two or three weeks usually do so to relieve withdrawal symptoms as a result of their physical dependence on and addiction to nicotine. The "Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence is a standard instrument for assessing the intensity of this physical nicotine addiction. The Fagerström test helpsprofessionals document the indications for prescribing medication for nicotine withdrawal. In the test below. Please note that the language has been modified for American smokers.

The higher the Fagerström score, the more intense is the patient's physical dependence on nicotine. Higher scores indicate that treatment of withdrawal symptoms, usually with nicotine replacement therapy, will be an important factor in the patient's plan of care. As you will learn in more detail through the Nicotine Freedom program, many such products are now available for your convenience.

Modified Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence*

1. How soon after you wake up do you smoke your first cigarette?
Within 5 minutes (3 points)
5 to 30 minutes (2 points)
31 to 60 minutes (1 point)
After 60 minutes (0 points)

2. Do you find it difficult not to smoke in places where you shouldn't, such as in church or school, in a movie, at the library, on a bus, in court or in a hospital?
Yes (1 point)
No (0 points)

3. Which cigarette would you most hate to give up; which cigarette do you treasure the most?
The first one in the morning (1 point)
Any other one (0 points)

4. How many cigarettes do you smoke each day?
10 or fewer (0 points)
11 to 20 (1 point)
21 to 30 (2 points)
31 or more (3 points)

5. Do you smoke more during the first few hours after waking up than during the rest of the day?
Yes (1 point)
No (0 points)

6. Do you still smoke if you are so sick that you are in bed most of the day, or if you have a cold or the flu and have trouble breathing?
Yes (1 point)
No (0 points)

Scoring: 7 to 10 points = highly dependent; 4 to 6 points = moderately dependent; less than 4 points = minimally dependent.