If you smoke, there is a good chance that you are addicted to nicotine. Addiction to nicotine, the substance found in tobacco, has similar characteristics to the addictions created by cocaine and heroin. It doesn't take long to become addicted to it, and studies show that it can happen after one or two uses.

Here are the signs that you are becoming addicted to nicotine:

How quickly you feel the urge to have a cigarette in the morning after waking up is a good indicator of your level of nicotine addiction. If you start your first cigarette of the day within five minutes of waking up, your addiction is pretty strong. If it is within 30 minutes, it is moderate, and if it is within 60 minutes or later, it is slightly lower.

Other signs that you may have developed a nicotine addiction include:

-Smoke even when you are sick;
- Goes outside to smoke a cigarette, even if it's cold or raining;
-You find it difficult not to smoke in places where it is prohibited, such as school, cinema, library or hospital;
- Continues to smoke despite concerns raised by family or friends;

Another way to understand that you are addicted to cigarettes is that when you try to stop, you experience the symptoms of addiction, which are:

- Irritation and anger;
- Difficulty concentrating;
- Depression or anxiety;
- Physical discomfort, like having a mild flu;
- Headache and dizziness;
- Inability to sleep without waking up several times;
- Slight weight gain.

Some tips on how to quit smoking in time:

- Find a distraction: Go for a walk, do the dishes, call a friend.

- Recall the reasons why you want to stop: Think of the top 5 reasons why you should stop smoking, such as increasing your risk of lung cancer or saving a lot of money every week by not buy cigarettes;

- Avoid situations that "force" you to light a cigarette : Common triggers include feeling stressed, being bored, or having an alcoholic drink with something else.

Assess the situations that cause you the most stress and try to find techniques to deal with them, such as deep breathing or practicing yoga. Stay away from bars and other places where drinking is common, especially when you're starting your quit attempts. If you absolutely must have something, choose a soft drink.

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