MY TIP’s
I am sure you want to get on your way with the first step. One thing I did in this step was learning all I could about nicotine addiction. I did a lot of research online. Below are some of the things I used that was right for me or I found was true. If you have any questions about some of the things you run across, let me know or even post some of it to the boards. I am sure someone will clear it up for you. I also did the take what you like and leave the rest thing in my research.
The 5 D's are pretty popular with people in the group. They use them for the dealing with cravings. You may want to try them too!
The 5 D’s
DELAY a minute or two and the urge will pass.
DRINK WATER to fight off cravings.
DO SOMETHING ELSE to fight off cravings.
DEEP BREATHE It will relax you. Close your eyes and take 10 slow deep breaths.
DISCUSS your thoughts and feelings with someone close to you.
About Weight
Nicotine Anonymous has a saying that the weight can wait! Right now, dieting should be low on your list. Remember, putting on weight for a while is not nearly as harmful as smoking. Here’s how you can avoid weight gain if you find the matter troublesome :
Grieving
You will also have to grieve the process. If you like spiritual books - a good
one to read is "Finding Yourself in Transition" by Robert Brument (Using life's
changes for Spiritual Awakening) It is not NicA approved though and it is up to
you if you want to use it. Ultimately, working the 12 Steps was the best
grieving tool I have ever used. This book just gave me some comfort and
understanding of the process. NicA does not claim to have "The Goods" on
recovery. Many people use outside the program resources as a supplement to
their recovery. So I would say it would not be a good thing to cut your
nose off spite your face.
There are 3 parts
to addiction that needs to be addressed in order to recover! The Physical,
Mental and Spiritual. The 12 Steps are excellent ways to deal with each of them!
The physical - most of the physical stuff will drop off quickly, in about
a month or so. This means, GI upset, Intensive Cravings, Insomnia,
Irritability, Dizziness, and even excessive coughing. If you find you are
having trouble with these or any other funny symptoms, talk it over with me or
with your physician. If ever you have chest pain, please, please, please, see
your doctor immediately. Did you know your lungs are in a healing
state up to 9 months? After that much time, you pretty much got what you got.
Some of us require Medical treatments related to all the damage we have done to
our hearts, lungs, kidney's etc from smoking. Please be sure you keep all of
your Dr's Appointments and let them know you have quit smoking.
The mental - stuff takes a lot longer to get over, which could take months to a
couple of years. It is different with each person. We spent a lot of time
smoking, and we will not get over it in a few days or weeks. It will depend on
the skills you develop in order to deal with it and how much use of the program
you place into your recovery. If you find you are not coping very well spite the
12 Step program, you may need some outside help. It's okay to make that Dr's
Visit to see if they too can be of service in your recovery progress.
Quitting smoking can become stressful, for some with mental illness already it
may elevate the symptoms. Medication adjustment may be required. As 12
Step Support People, we can not recommend any adjustments in a medication
program. Please talk to your Dr about this, even before you start quit.
The spiritual - Don't be surprise if you find a new
spiritual release in your quit, a new awakening, as you dependence will truly
need to be turned over and the seeking of your belief in a HP becomes more
personal. More on that in Step two. You will probably find needing a
sponsor, will grow less, and as you turn more to HP. This is as it should be.
Your sponsor sometimes ends up your best friend. I still will use a
sponsor though, as life is always messing with me to the point of getting out of
wack.
About the Tools of the Program
Please set some time aside for meetings. Tell some which meetings you will be making either face to face, in type share or voices meeting. It does not matter which meetings you make though, just so long as you go. There is a saying “90 Meetings in 90 days” and "Meeting Makers Make it". That would be ideal if you can do the 90 meetings, if you can’t at least post and read daily.
Please make a list of at least 10 people with whom you will be getting support from with your nicotine addiction online and offline and how to get in touch with them, such as e-mail address, phone numbers etc. I put down type of support they could offer you. Please think about all aspects of you where you need them, such as work, home, meeting, church, family gatherings etc. You will need to have that information for yourself for when times are stressful and thinking clear is not real good. So please write your list down, with phone numbers or e-mail address and keep it handy.
Please order “Nicotine Anonymous: The Book" and "90 Days 90 Ways - Daily Meditations". If you are unable to obtain one, please let someone know. There maybe a way of getting you one. Sometimes sponsors or other members may end up buying you one.
If ever you feel the need to change sponsor, it's okay, but you might find that it could be more benefit to talk it over with someone first. Sometimes our emotions are high and this will give a chance to settle down before making that decision. When we first come into the program there are some many things that stimulate us and some things we find that maybe we need something different in the way of a sponsor. If you feel that you are ready to sponsor someone, you can share up to the point that you have gone through the steps on. I was always thought, that not to turn down anyone if you can. It is those people who will help you the most with your recovery. Although, if you are in the habit of fixing people or care taking, you might want to talk if over with someone first.
For right now, the only service work I would suggest is responding to other people’s post on the message boards or sharing in meetings. If you would like to take on any other type of service work or feel you are ready to do it, please talk it over with someone first. My policy is not to start if for at least 3 months smober or active in online meetings. There are exceptions to this though. So I say, don't stereo type it.