Have you been trying to quit using nicotine but haven't been successful?

Have you tried the patch, the lozenges, the pills, and the gum yet still can't quit?

Did you try hypnosis and relaxing techniques and tapes and self help books yet still can't quit?

Do you want help from someone who understands what you are feeling and thinking?

If you haven't been to a NicA meeting then you haven't tried everything.

 What can it hurt to try?

Meetings are anonymous. You don't have to have quit before you come.  It is a group of smokers and ex-smokers (chewers and non-chewers) who have been through all the same motions and emotions as you are experiencing. We are here to help guide you through the toughest times and to offer support and suggest ideas that helped us to quit.

Don't give up!

Find a meeting near you and give it a try.

 

You are about to be released from your self imposed prison!

   

 

A nicotine addiction is a progressive disease of the Mind, Body and Spirit.

All that is needed is a desire to stop using nicotine.

 

 

The Mind - Use of nicotine affects the mind or emotions in this way

Self deception :  the creative ability of the mind to perpetuate addictive behavior.  Mind tricks or defense mechanisms that protect the addiction are:

Denial:  the smoker does not believe a problem exists. (the nicotine user is blind to their addiction)

"I don't smoke/chew that much."

"I can quit anytime I want to."

"Smokers/chewers have rights too."

Rationalization:  making excuses for the behavior. (unintentional lies)

"My job is too stressful."  

"I could get killed crossing the street."

"We all have to die of something."

Hiding:  Keeping an addiction protected takes energy. The smoker starts to become uncomfortable with themselves.  When defense mechanisms do not work and hiding the truth from oneself is no longer effective, it becomes important to hide it from other people.  The smoker feels as though they're harboring a dark secret.  They spend time casing a location where one can smoke in peace or they decide not to attend a social function because they may not be able to smoke there.  In addition to preferring isolation when smoking, issues of self-esteem, depression, guilt and a growing sense of a lack of integrity begin to erode the smoker's thoughts.

Procrastination:  The body says, "You've got to quit."  The mind says, "Sure you do, but now is not the time."  "I'll quit the next time my doctor tells me to quit."  "Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow."

The Body - Using nicotine affects the body in this way

Physical addiction is created when a dependency on the drug nicotine  causes physical urges for more of the drug.  An urge occurs when nicotine leaves the body and more of it is needed to satisfy the physical craving.  A smoker/chewer has nicotine receptor nerve endings that are only in a smoker's/chewer's brain.  They remain there indefinitely, even after years of non-using.  They lay dormant unless nicotine is reintroduced into the body.  That is why a recovering nicotine user can never use again.  Not even occasionally.  This is the major cause of relapse.

"ONE CIGARETTE/CHEW IS TOO MANY AND A THOUSAND ARE NOT ENOUGH."

Physical addiction is primary, chronic, progressive and fatal, if left to its natural end.

Withdrawal symptoms:  Body and mind know that something is wrong when the drug is withdrawn.  One may experience mild uneasiness and irritability to overwhelming panic.  Sometimes the exact opposite sensation to nicotine (a stimulant) can produce lethargy (tiredness) and depression until the body and mind adjust.

The Spirit - Nicotine effects the spirit in this way

No reliance on a Higher Power:  Afraid to ask for help from a higher power.  Having an inability to reach out to another for help.  Not admitting you need help or trusting that it will be there when you do need it. 

"I can do this on my own."

Even though in the past, numerous attempts to quit without help have met with either limited success or dismal failure. 

When a person is struggling to recover from their addiction, the will to live is an important part of recovery.  A doctor's prescription may help heal the body but it cannot supply a pill that belongs to the realm of the spirit.

Remember this: Addiction is cunning, baffling and powerful.  Addiction cannot be defeated merely by self-will but by turning it over to a higher power.  Recovery is possible.

It can be that simple.

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