It’s an important first step to figure out if you have developed an addiction to nicotine. It’s important because if you have been unsuccessful at quitting in the past, you should be blaming the addiction and not yourself. Start to think of the nicotine as the culprit, not you. You are the victim here.

Here is the moment of truth. Take this test and see if you have developed a nicotine addiction.

Nicotine Tolerance Test

1. How many cigarettes do you smoke each day (be honest)?
   
   
2. How soon after you wake up do you usually have your first cigarette?
   
   
3. Is it difficult for you not to smoke in situations where you cannot (such as at the movies or at work)?

Answers

1. If you smoke at least ten to twenty cigarettes a day you have developed an addiction. That’s because smoking any less causes your body to go into nicotine withdrawal.
   
   
2. If you typically smoke your first cigarette within thirty minutes of awakening, you have developed an addiction. This is because overnight you didn’t smoke any cigarettes. So, when you wake up in the morning your blood level of nicotine is very low and you develop mild symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
   
   
3. If you feel uncomfortable going for several hours (awake) without smoking, you are addicted to the nicotine in your cigarettes. This is because the level of nicotine in your blood starts to fall within thirty minutes of your last cigarette. After a few hours of not smoking, withdrawal starts to set in.

So what do you do if you have become addicted to nicotine? It helps to realize that you are not the only one. There are millions of people around the world who are suffering from the same addiction. Know that there are a lot of proven strategies for overcoming this addiction. Strategies that help thousands of people beat this addiction every day.

Overcoming an addiction to tobacco is a giant challenge, and it’s going to be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have. Now that you are aware of your addiction, the tables are turning and you are gaining control. You are well on your way to being free from nicotine for good.

Start the quitting process by exploring the section called “Thinking About Quitting”. After that, the next step is to begin developing a quit smoking plan that takes into account your personal reasons for smoking and all of the things that trigger you to want to light up.