Chronic smokers often find it hard to quit, as the combination of chemicals contained in most cigarettes have highly additive tendencies. In fact, nicotine, one of the primary elements in all mainstream brands, was identified by The Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health as having "effects on brain dopamine systems similar to those of drugs such as heroin and cocaine." While long-term smokers may find the habit difficult to break, they need not face the task alone. Several support groups are in existence that offer a potential non-smoker a variety of resources to assist his pursuit of a "smoke-free" life.
Nicotine Anonymous
Nicotine Anonymous is a society of former addicts who extend, to one another, support in getting and staying "nicotine-free". Nicotine Anonymous offers non-smokers a social platform on which to fraternize with others in pursuit of a common goal. Each member is charged to complete a program consisting of 12 steps, milestones that chart one's progress in the ongoing process of recovery. During this process, a member must confess her inability to control her usage of nicotine and an agreement to release her addiction to the care of a "higher power."
Not-On-Tobacco
Not On Tobacco, or N-O-T, is a program sponsored by The American Lung Association for teenage smokers desiring to break the habit. N-O-T not only offers support to teens in pursuit of a smoke-free life, but provides instruction on successfully managing many of the social and emotional constructs traditionally associated with underage smoking. N-O-T is an at-will society. No one is compelled or obligated to join.
Freedom
Freedom is an online community of non-smokers who support each other in staying smoke-free. Freedom offers its members a wealth of information on kicking the habit for good. However, Freedom operates differently from most conventional smoke-free support sites. First, applicants to the freedom fellowship must have gone at least 72 hours without smoking before membership is considered. Additionally, achieving full membership to Freedom is a "one-shot" deal. Any member who returns to smoking is thereafter denied his ability to post within the community. The Freedom website hosts a store of free, videos and articles on successfully staying "smoke-free," as well as a forum where you can learn valuable insights from the others' testimonies.
Why Quit
SmokersHelpline.ca is an online informational resource, dedicated to providing aid to those intent on living "smoke-free." There's no charge to join the site and each member is extended complimentary access to one-on-one phone assistance, in additional to support by the online community. In the forum, members share stories, inspiration, encouragement and advice to help one another break the habit for good.
