How does NicA work?
Nicotine Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women from all walks of life who meet in order to solve a common problem - their addiction to nicotine. Because using nicotine is an addiction,. NicA uses the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous®.
One Day at a Time
The first three steps of NicA are:
We admitted we were powerless over nicotine - that our lives had become unmanageable.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
What do you have to do to join?
The only requirement for membership is a DESIRE to stop using nicotine.
How do members in NicA stop using nicotine when nothing else has worked in the past?
We follow suggested Steps of Recovery. By admitting powerlessness over our nicotine use, we open the door to recovery - one day at a time.
We abandon the idea that all one needs to be able to quit is a little willpower. NicA offers the newcomer support, encouragement and a way out of a deadly addiction.
Why is NicA anonymous?
Anonymity allows the fellowship to govern itself through principles rather than personalities. Social and economic status have no relevance in NicA. We are nicotine addicts in recovery or desiring to be free of nicotine.
Is NicA a religious organization?
No, NicA has no religious requirement, affiliation or orientation. The Twelve Step program of recovery is considered "spiritual" because it deals with inner change. If meetings are held in churches it is due to room availability.
NicA members are made up of many different religious beliefs and backgrounds. Having no belief system is also acceptable. For them, the group itself becomes their higher power.
Is there a cost to come to NicA meetings?
No, there is no charge to come to a meeting. Nicotine Anonymous is a self-supporting group, however we pass the basket to pay for coffee, make a donation for the meeting room, and buy NicA literature.
Isn't quitting the use of nicotine just a matter of will power?
Just as will power alone is ineffective in curing diabetes or pneumonia, neither can it be effective in curing alcoholism or the grip of a person addicted to nicotine - a drug more addictive than heroin or cocaine.
What if this is not a good time to quit?
Think about how many years you've been using that excuse? In fact, the smarter or cleverer you are, the more this addiction will find excuses why this is not the right time to check out NicA. Either way, this disease could destroy you unless you begin the process of recovery.
Do I have to quit using nicotine before I go to a meeting?
No. Most newcomers have not quit and no one will pressure you to stop. It's up to you when you think you're ready and then the group will support your decision. If you relapse, don't worry about it. Everyone there will understand. And don't be so hard on yourself. Just keep coming back to the meetings.
You have an addiction! It's not complicated and you can stop using nicotine if you understand how the disease concept of addiction works. It's very simple. Will power and determination alone are generally inadequate to arrest the progressive course of a powerful addiction.
NicA can help you break that addiction by helping you understand the following:
*Nicotine addiction is a progressive disease*
*Will power alone won't make you quit*
*Quitting nicotine use is a process*
*You do not need to quit using nicotine before you come to meetings*
*A desire to quit is all that is needed for success*
Most of us who have quit using nicotine thought at some point we never could. Everytime we tried to quit, it either never worked or we relapsed until we came to Nicotine Anonymous. Ask any member and they will tell you...
NEVER GIVE UP!!