Symptoms of nicotine dependence

1. You can't stop smoking. You've made one or more serious, but unsuccessful, attempts to stop.


2. You experience strong withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop. Your attempts at stopping have caused physical signs and symptoms of addiction, such as craving for tobacco, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, headache, drowsiness, stomach upset, even constipation or diarrhea.


3. You keep smoking despite health problems. Even though you've developed problems with your lungs or your heart, you haven't stopped or can't stop.


4. You give up social or recreational activities in order to smoke. You may stop going to certain restaurants or stop socializing with certain family members or friends because you can't smoke in these situations.