The Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC) is a tool used to assess risk of what?

• A. Tobacco dependency
• B. Alcohol dependency
• C. Cannabis dependency
• D. Opioid dependency

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is to identify loss of autonomy over nicotine use, which is the hallmark of tobacco dependence risk. The Hooked on Nicotine Checklist asks about cravings, withdrawal symptoms, control over use, and the ability to quit; even one affirmative response signals that dependence may be starting, with higher scores indicating greater risk. This tool is specifically designed for tobacco (nicotine) use, making it the best fit for assessing tobacco dependence risk. It isn’t intended to measure dependence on alcohol, cannabis, or opioids, which require different screening instruments. Also, it applies to nicotine from any source, including cigarettes and many vaping products.