Texas A patient information handout on nicotine dependence, written by the author of this article, is provided on page 591. Family physicians can assess the smoking behavior of their patients in a few minutes, using carefully chosen questions. Additional questions can be used to determine the patient's readiness to change and the nature of the reinforcement the patient receives from smoking. F amily physicians can diagnose, evaluate and treat nicotine dependence within the limited time frame of an office visit. This article describes several assessment strategies.
Family physicians can select the one that best fits their style of practice.
The information gathered by these assessments can then be used to provide individualized treatment plans. Results of the CAGE questionnaire for smoking, modified from the test for alcoholism, are considered positive if two of the four questions are answered affirmatively. The CAGE questionnaire is a simple, accurate tool that has been used for many years to screen patients for addictive disorders. Information from Lairson DR, Harrist R, Martin DW, Ramby R, Rustin TA, Swint JM, et al. Experience has shown the CAGE questionnaire to be nonthreatening.