THREE NICOTINE ANONYMOUS ONLINE GROUPS EXPLAINED

Did you that there are three groups that have online meetings on the web?  Yes!  It is true!  I would like to explain what the difference is with each group!   I know for some of us it can be confusing. So this message is in attempt to get rid of some of that confusion and plus give you more information about the groups. 

First each group runs its own group conscious. That means are things done different within each group.  And the main goal of the group is to carry the message of recovery to the nicotine addict.  Many of us, go between all the groups but we all have a certain home group to call our own.  Most groups ask that you consider the group your home group before voting in it’s group conscious.

UNOFFICIAL NICANON

This is the oldest group on the internet.  It was established on 8/4/99.  It’s URL address is  > http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/unofficialnicanon/ . This group is a type sharing group.  No voice is used in it’s meeting.  They have online chat room meetings on the Yahoo Messenger and also in java chat room which is in http://client4.addonchat.com/sc.php?id=181040  .  It has about 5 meetings a week at various times.  The group also has a “Meeting on The Message Board”.  This way you can get some form of Nicotine Anonymous feedback and sharing.  Most people favorites shares come from the “Question of the Day”.   If you can only type share… this may be your group.  The amount of e-mails varies from 10 to 15 a day and is growing.  You may or may not want select “Daily” E-mails when joining.

VOICES OF NICOTINE RECOVERY

This group is next to the oldest group and it branched off of the unofficialnicanon group a few years ago.  It was established on 10/4/04. It’s URL address is >  http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/voicesofnicotinerecovery/  The group is solely a Voice Sharing group that meets in www.paltalk.com .  You must have speakers to attend it, though type sharing is welcomed if you don’t have a microphone.  It has at least 4 meetings a day.  It is the largest group on the internet and most closely follows to a face to face group as one can get. It has a well formed group conscious.   It’s message board is very active.  E-mails range from 30 to 60 a day.  If you don’t want a lot of e-mail, then you may need to select get “ daily digest” when joining it.  That way you will get several e-mails in one a few times a day.  If your computer can support sound and it’s not a problem for you, then this group may be for you.

LOBBYVILLE

This group is the newest group on the internet.  It was established in 9/14/05.  It’s URL address is > http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/lobbyville/ .  It is a Voice Sharing group.  All of their meetings are held in Yahoo Messenger.  It requires an invitation to get to the meeting.  You must have yahoo messenger download on your machine and know the name of the person who is chairing the meetings or someone who is in the meeting.  They have at least two meetings a day at 8 AM and 8 PM EST.  You can check the group’s calendar to find out who that is.  Its message board is sporadic.  Ranging from 2 to 8 e-mails a day.   When you join the group, you are placed on moderation until it is proven you are there for recovery.   If you like a strictly control group, that has voice sharing in it and if occasional breakthrough spam upsets you, group may be for you.