How Addicted Am I?

I just filled out the 3rd and final questionnaire over at QuitNet, titled "How Addicted Are You?" In order to find out how addicted you are to nicotine, the questionnaire uses the Fagerstrom test. According to QuitNet, "the Fagerstrom test is a rough estimate of your physiological addiction to nicotine. It can give you an idea of where you stand in relationship to other smokers in terms of how physically dependent you are on the active drug in tobacco."

Here are my results:

Fagerstrom Addiction Questionniare

The Fagerstrom test is a rough estimate of your physiological addiction to nicotine. It can give you an idea of where you stand in relationship to other smokers in terms of how physically dependent you are on the active drug in tobacco.

Your score was 50% (5/10 points) on the questionairre.

What does this mean?
Your score on this questionnaire was in the average range. This means that you are likely to have some difficulty with physical withdrawal symptoms when you quit, but no more than most other people.

Okay, so that does not sound too bad. I will go through some withdrawal, which is to be expected. I am hoping that by working through my plan, I can minimize the withdrawal symptoms. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens.

Why Do I Smoke?

Before you can quit smoking, or any habit, for that matter, you need to figure out why you do it. Over at QuitNet, I took the 2nd of 3 questionnaires that they have in the Expert Support area of the site. The questionnaire is titled "Why do you smoke?"

Here are my results:

Why Do You Smoke?
To understand your smoking habit, you must first learn what kind of smoker you are. There are generally six traits that describe many people's smoking:

• Stimulation
• Handling
• Pleasure
• Crutch
• Craving
• Habit

Your smoking may fit into any one or a combination of these categories. This test will help you identify what type of smoker you are and give you possible strategies for quitting smoking.

Relaxation
You scored high (73%) as a Pleasure/Relaxation smoker. You may use smoking as a reward to sit down and relax. You enjoy a cigarette after a good meal or in social situations, like a party. For you, alternatives to smoking may include taking a walk after eating or finding other activities that give you pleasure. At parties, try to drink non-alcoholic drinks. Alcohol tends to reduce your willpower for staying off cigarettes. 76% of QuitNet users are Relaxation smokers.

Crutch
You scored high (73%) as a Crutch/Tension smoker. You tend to use cigarettes as a crutch in moments of stress or discomfort. You may smoke when you are nervous, worried or angry. All these feeling represent some kind of tension. For you to quit smoking, you need to find a release for that tension. Try deep breathing, relaxation or physical exercises to help reduce your stress. 80% of QuitNet users are Crutch smokers.

Craving
You scored high (73%) as a Craving smoker. You often feel a 'hunger' for a cigarette. This is a physiological addiction. You crave the nicotine. Each cigarette you have is a stimulus for the next. Drink plenty of water, it may help to lessen some of the physical withdrawal symptoms. 72% of QuitNet users are Craving smokers.

Remember

There are no easy solutions when it comes to quitting smoking. This program merely offers suggestions to help you get started. The rest is up to you! Find out what methods work for you and stick to them. Do it for yourself! Do it for your health!

So, it looks like I have to work on 3 things to overcome my addiction to cigarettes...the cravings, using cigarettes to relax, and using cigarettes as a crutch.

How Ready Am I?

In my last post, I discussed QuitNet, and their vast array of support available for people who want to quit smoking. Under the Expert Support section at QuitNet there are Quitting Tools, which are 3 questionnaires that you can fill out. I just filled out the first one, which is called "How Ready Are You?"

So how ready am I? Here is my result:

Congratulations! It sounds as if you are making good progress towards quitting and staying quit. Make sure that you work your way through the resources available on the QuitNet, as well as talking to other users about the quitting process!

Where You're At
There are many ways of looking at where people are in the quitting process. The QuitNet uses a model called the "Stages of Change" which breaks people up into very rough groups

• people thinking about quitting
• people ready to quit
• people who are currently quitting
• people who have quit and are concentrating on staying "smoke-free."

We have placed you in the group of people that are in the process of quitting. The QuitNet can help you by giving you some ideas on the best ways to make it through the withdrawal symptoms and providing customized tips on staying away from cigarettes permanently.