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to smoking and disease
Nicotine has just recently, in the late 1980s, been recognized as the most powerfully addictive drug in common use. It slowly undermines the health of all who use it. Deaths attributable to nicotine currently exceed 1,000 people per day in the U.S. alone. Smoking is now known to affect the health of those around the smoker. This includes unborn children.
Studies show that a large percentage of people who quit smoking eventually return to it. What we hear from these people when they come to Nicotine Anonymous is that quitting becomes more difficult -- nearly impossible -- the second or third time. Will power and determination cease to be sufficient forces to overcome the habit. Nicotine is a stunningly addictive drug.
Some of us discovered that the 12-Step method of Alcoholics Anonymous relieved our nicotine addiction. Nicotine Anonymous was begun to share this method with other addicts and to provide us with a fellowship which offers love, understanding and practical experience in living without nicotine.
Major health problems usually do not provide sufficient motivation to cause the smoker to stop smoking for any sustained length of time. Heart attacks, cancer and emphysema are directly linked to nicotine use. They generate fear and anxiety such that we return to nicotine to allay these emotions.
There is a physical craving, too, which is very real and very powerful; it is never noticed until one tries to do without nicotine for a day or two. At that point, many take to nicotine to quell the craving.
Frequently, even those who stop for years find themselves once again smoking. A report from Harvard University notes that "recidivism, or relapse, among ex-smokers is as high as among former heroin users." *
We become dependent on nicotine to soothe our emotional pains and to fill the emptiness that results from the absence of a spiritual power in our lives. To end our dependence on nicotine, we must find something that can fill its role in our lives without killing us. This is our goal in Nicotine Anonymous.
* Research Status Report: Nicotine Dependence and Compulsive Tobacco Use, p.2, Center for Health Communication, Harvard School of Public Health, June 19, 1986.
1. Do you smoke every day?
2. Do you smoke because of shyness and to build self-confidence?
3. Do you smoke to escape from boredom and worries while under pressure?
4. Have you ever burned a hole in your clothes, carpet, furniture or
car?
5. Have you ever had to go to the store late at night or at another
inconvenient time because you were out of cigarettes?
6. Do you feel defensive or angry when people tell you that your cigarette
smoke is bothering them?
7. Has a doctor or dentist suggested that you stop smoking?
8. Have you promised someone that you would stop smoking, then broken
your promise?
9. Have you felt physical or emotional discomfort when trying to quit?
10. Have you successfully stopped smoking for a period of time only
to start again?
11. Do you buy extra supplies of tobacco to make sure you won't run
out?
12. Do you find it difficult to imagine life without smoking?
13. Do you choose only activities and entertainments such that you
can smoke during them?
14. Do you prefer, seek out or feel more comfortable in the company
of smokers?
15. Do you inwardly despise or feel ashamed of yourself because of
your smoking?
16. Do you ever find yourself lighting up without having consciously
deciding to?
17. Has your smoking caused trouble at home or in a relationship?
18. Do you ever tell yourself that you can stop smoking whenever you
want to?
19. Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you didn't
smoke?
20. Do you continue to smoke even though you are aware of the health
hazards posed by smoking?
If you answered "yes" to one or two of these questions, there is a chance that you are addicted or becoming addicted to nicotine. If you answered "yes" to three or more, you are probably already addicted to nicotine.
We know that nicotine is a subtly powerful mind and mood altering substance and that the craving for it can return at any time. Many who have stopped for years have found themselves smoking once more. Therefore, we meet regularly to avoid slipping back into the addiction.
Our primary purpose is to help others and ourselves to live without smoking.
In meetings we are introduced to the Twelve Steps of recovery. These Steps suggest a spiritual approach that can be used to overcome everyday living problems, as well as our nicotine addiction. Members find meetings (due to the tradition of anonymity) to be safe places to share their problems and feelings.
Telephone numbers are exchanged and friends are made. Sponsors are found to help us with the program. Perhaps most important, we find we are not alone in our struggle against nicotine.
No member accepts money for the help he or she gives to newcomers, for being an elected member, or for performing any other non-professional service for Nicotine Anonymous. They payment we receive for these services is our ongoing freedom from nicotine.
Networking puts people in touch with others in their region so they can either start a meeting or support each other by phone or email. Pen Pals can reach wherever mail goes. To access these programs, write to Nicotine Anonymous World Services.
On-line meetings and email support are available on the internet. Visit our website at <http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org> or email at <[email protected]>.
To help groups help each other, there are Intergroups at state and local levels that network groups within their areas and provide service and literature.
To unify Nicotine Anonymous groups worldwide, there is a World Service Office in San Francisco. WSO collects, publishes and distributes Nicotine Anonymous literature, organizes an annual conference of the groups, and acts as guardian of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.