Does it ultimately matter in the larger scheme of things? If we all said, yes, you're more addicted because you started younger - how would that be of benefit? In other words, how would that knowledge serve you in your quit journey? Taking your question further: Joe started smoking at 13 and is now 23. Does that make him more addicted than Sally who started smoking at 21 and has smoked for 11 years? What about the person who started at 25 and smoked for 30 years? Are they more addicted?
I know there's some information on here about that question you asked, but I can't find it yet. This might be of use: https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/community/expert-advice/blog/2015/09/25/is-there-such-thing-as-an... And this: /blogs/Breakinthechains-blog/2011/04/14/is-your-quit-harder-than-mine
My thoughts tell me addiction is addiction. You either are or you are not. I started around the age of 21, quit for a year, smoked for 30, quit for 3 months, smoked for another couple of years, etc. Essentially I smoked for about 35 years. Smoking increases the nicotine receptors in our brains. Does that mean someone who smokes for 35 years has more nicotine receptors than one who smokes for two years and thus it's harder for them because they have to work them all back down to zero? I don't know. dr_hays? I would imagine that receptors don't continue to be added ad infinitum.
My question to you is - why does it matter? Quitting is hard. For ALL of us. I think in many ways it's our addiction to our own comfort behaviors, that are the hardest to dispense with. Not the nicotine. Those who are successful are so, not because they started at a later age, or smoked fewer cigarettes, not because they are less addicted, but because they gained the skills necessary, through education and support, perseverance and dedication - to quit.
Sometimes thinking it's harder for us than others is a great ongoing excuse for failure.
