Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence

There are several simple tests your doctor may give you to assess your physical addiction to cigarettes and tobacco. The Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence is a simple questionnaire where each answer is given a numerical value and then the values are added to give a overall rating of physical nicotine dependence.

The test is comprised of six simple questions and answers are a mix of yes and no and multiple choice. Questions such as, “How soon after you wake up do you smoke your first cigarette?” are one way the test uses multiple choice to assess your dependence on cigarettes, using a decreasing point value for the increasing minutes passing. Questions like, “Do you smoke more during the first few hours after waking up than during the rest of the day?” use 1 point for a “yes” answer and 0 points for a “no.”

Studies done on the Fagerstrom Test have changed the questions over time, but, depending on the source of the test, the wording of the questions varies only slightly. You can find Mayo Clinic’s version here, and a version published by the American Academy of Family Physicians here. There is also a web based version here, developed by the Healthy Lifestyles Guided Self-Change Program at the Center for Psychological Studies at Nova Southeastern University.

This test is a simple diagnostic test, but it does not replace the advice of a physician. If you are quitting smoking and trying to determine if you’d benefit from some type of interceptive therapy, be sure to discuss your plan with your doctor. Also talk to your doctor before you start any nicotine replacement therapy, herbal supplement or therapy.

References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1932883
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000801/579.html
http://www.nova.edu/gsc/nicotine_risk.html
http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/ndc_education/upload/ftnd.pdf
Photo: Wikimedia. No endorsement implied.

Related Article

Where Does Nicotine Come From?