PRE-QUIT HOMEWORK  

1. Do you question if you are a nicotine addict? Read - Introducing Nicotine Anonymous and answer the questions listed. Record your results in your journal. 

2. New to the program? Read To the Newcomer and Sponsorship in Nicotine Anonymous. 

3. Considering Nicotine Replacement?  I think it was better for me to get off nicotine as quickly as possible. To stay on nicotine replacement or to continue to vape, chew, or dip is not an option for smobriety. Our goal is to become nicotine-free. So a quit date will be required on all nicotine products. Nicotine Anonymous has no opinion on nicotine replacement therapy or any medical intervention. If you choose to go that route, it’s okay. You are still welcome at Nicotine Anonymous. Please remember we want to get off nicotine, not just quit smoking or vaping.  Nicotine was our problem. This is your goal. I kept relapsing until I had a clear understanding that nicotine was my problem. 

4. 12 Steps and 12 Traditions This is the heart of our program. Please read it. It was what saved me, and I highly recommend them. It helped me live life on life's terms. You will need a sponsor to help you work through them. How to Set a  Sponsorship Trap 

5. Practice Quits:  Start tracking your cravings by taking a Smoking or Vaping Log Inventory to find patterns and triggers and to check your thought process.  STOP-EVALUATE-PRAY (Serenity Prayer). It will help you develop strategies to get through the cravings. 

 6. Read in Nicotine Anonymous: The Book:  "Forward"

7. Start journaling your day by processing your feelings/moods and tracking your events. I have special needs journaling, so I often write down my results in my planner. I also track my blood sugar, blood pressure, and appointments.

 When you are disturbed or want to use nicotine, this is my primary method, although you can find another way. Below is an example of what I use.

 STATE THE PROBLEM AND FEELINGS.

 My friend will not return my calls; I want to smoke. I am hurt and angry and want to get even. I want to scream at her and say the program doesn't work. 

MY THINKING PROCESS

 I don't understand why she didn't call me back. Did I do something wrong? Did I go against our traditions? Was this something she couldn't deal with and needed space? Did she lose her phone?

MY WANTS AND NEEDS

I want to feel heard and seen.

WHAT IS OUT OF MY CONTROL?  I can't make her call me. 

WHAT IS IN MY CONTROL? I can understand that she, too, has problems. She is just not able to give them to me at this time. It may be a total misunderstanding, and what is happening in my head is not fact but feelings to be processed. I can choose not to use nicotine. Smoking will not help anything; it will only add to it. I can read Junkie Thinking 

Then, how can I soothe myself today? I can schedule more meetings or call other available people. I can give her space and forgive her for being human. I can connect with another nicotine addict trying to recover. 

MY GRATITUDE - that I have not smoked or used nicotine for 27 years. I am not in withdrawals. I have a loving and caring husband.

MY SLOGAN FOR TODAY 

Forgiveness is the Key

THE TOOLS OF THE PROGRAM

You can start putting these practices into your daily routine.

The Meetings

Please set aside some time for meetings. It does not matter which meetings you make, though, just so long as you go. There are sayings “90 Meetings in 90 days” and "Meeting Makers Make it." It would be ideal if you could do the 90 meetings. If you can’t, at least post and read daily.  Here is the list to find meetings on Nicotine Anonymous World Service https://www.nicotine-anonymous.org/find-a-meeting

The Phone List (Email list)

You can start by listing people who will support your quit. I would put down the type of support they could offer you. Example - Rick - transportation. Jen - Whatsapp support.  Please think about all aspects of you where you need them, such as work, home, meetings, church, family gatherings, etc. When times are stressful, you will need that information, and our processing could improve. Keep your list handy.

Literature

Please order “Nicotine Anonymous: The Book", A Nicotine Recovery Meditation Book, and our Workbook.  If you are unable to obtain one, please let someone know. There may be a way of getting you one. Sometimes, sponsors or other members may end up buying you one.

Sponsorship

 You can start looking for a sponsor or at least a quit buddy. If you don't have one or feel the need to change sponsors, it's okay, but it could be more beneficial to talk it over with someone first. Sometimes, our emotions are high, and this will give us a chance to settle down before making that decision. They will help guide you through the 12 steps.

If you can't find a sponsor, use this website as a guide and find yourself a quit buddy who has worked the steps in another 12-Step Program. This was how I did it in 1998 when I couldn't find a sponsor, and I have not had any nicotine since then. 

When we first come into the program, many things stimulate us. Sometimes, we find that we need something different in the way of a sponsor. If you are ready to sponsor someone, you can share what you have gone through working the steps. I was always taught not to turn anyone down if I could help. Those people will help me the most in my recovery. Although, if you are in the habit of fixing people or caretaking, you should discuss it with someone first. I have also been known to overwhelm myself. If you do, get back to basics! Make meetings or call someone.

Service Work

Right now, the only service work I suggest is responding to other people’s posts on the message boards, reading literature, or sharing in meetings. If you want to take on any other service work or feel ready, please discuss it with someone first. My policy is not to start for at least three months smober or be active in online meetings. There are exceptions to this, though. Some people may have no problems with service work after 30 days, as they may have chaired other 12 Step meetings.

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A DAILY PRAYER

SERENITY PRAYER 

GOD, grant me the Serenity to accept things I cannot change,  the courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference. 

 Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it. Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will, That I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. AMEN 

This is a good link to a free online prayer list. https://connectusfund.org/prayers