We have discussed various forms of treatment for those wishing to cease using tobacco in this past week’s postings. One form of treatment we have neglected until now is Behaviour Therapy – the 12 step method could be included in this classification.
The 12 step method has proven successful for thousands who were enabled to break free of nicotine while employing its steps and advice.
Nicotine Anonymous is a worldwide organization that exists to help those addicted to nicotine be able to quit using it…for good. “Nicotine Anonymous is a Non-Profit, 12 Step Fellowship of men and women helping each other live nicotine-free lives. Nicotine Anonymous welcomes all those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction, including those using cessation programs and nicotine withdrawal aids.”
What are the 12 steps Nicotine Anonymous teaches?
1. “We admit we are powerless over nicotine – that our lives have become unmanageable
2. “We come to believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity”
3. “We make a decision to turn our will and lives over to God as we understand Him”
4. “We make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves”
5. “We admit to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs”
6. “We are entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character”
7. “We humbly ask God to remove our shortcomings”
8. “We make a list of all persons we have harmed and become willing to make amends to them all”
9. “We make amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others”
10. “We continue to take personal inventory, and when we are wrong, we promptly admit it”
11. “We seek through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understand Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out”
12. “If we have a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to nicotine users and to practice these principles in all of our affairs”
To read more about the 12 step process, see https://www.nicotine-anonymous.org/pubs_content.php?pub_id=349.
Nicotine Anonymous also provides a yearly conference, groups, intergroups, publications, and other resources for those wishing to cease using tobacco products.
Nicotine Anonymous offers meetings in 12 locations in Canada: Port Hope, Swift Current, Niagara Falls, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, Kamloops, Kaslo, Port Alberni, Qualicum Beach, Victoria, Kingston, and Ottawa. To learn more about the meetings and their contact information, visit https://www.nicotine-anonymous.org/standard_search_result.php?p_country=Canada.
Do you think the 12 step method is something that could work for you?
Perhaps in the past you’ve thought the 12 step method only applied to cessation of alcohol. Now you see that’s not the case, that nicotine users can be positively affected, as well.
Sources:
https://www.nicotine-anonymous.org/about_us.php
*Please note: All research for this article is compiled from direct and third party sources. Mention of programs, organizations and companies does not imply support of The National Benefit Authority. Pictures are for creative purposes only; they are not intended to sell or promote products for NBC and belong to the accredited individual, organization or company.
Let’s Talk About It
Have any of you ever used a 12 step program in an attempt to become free from a nicotine addiction? Was it helpful or not?
What are the pros you see in the 12 step process? The cons?
Well to be quite honest…..I was with you until I saw all those God wordings. You see I do not believe there is any kind of so called God. I am a realist….I have tried to be a good person all of my life and done good things for others, but where did it get me? A garbage existence, that’s what it got me. Let me explain….I was a Top Jockey earning thousands of Dollars each week. I owned a big Cadillac, had a home in Canada, in Florida and south Carolina. I had a Wife and two Daughters and thought life was just wonderful….THen, through a race riding accident that was caused by a 13 year old kid, suddenly I became Disabled and lost everything, including my Wife and Kids. She figured the good life was ended so she found greener pastures. I was left by myself to struggle along. So “nobody” can tell me theirs any kind of God.
John,
We are so sorry to hear of the unfortunate things that have happened to you. You must be a very brave person to still be here, dealing with life as it is. We are glad you are following our postings and hope you will continue to in the future. Disability Living’s goal in the 12 step posting was to give people an understanding of what the 12 step approach is, not necessarily to endorse it. We certainly thank you for being honest and open with your feelings.
Thanks,
The Disability Living staff
I feel for you John. I understand somewhat what you are going through. I had a great career making well over 6 figures. I was a single mom with 4 children and worked very hard all my life to give my children a good life and education. I had a bad car accident leaving work at lunch one day right at the exit in the parking lot. I large cargo van t-boned me doing approx 110 klms in a 50 klm zone and failed to see me or even touch the break.(he ran a red light) I was left totalled disabled. Not only was I left disabled but lost my job well after they paid me for a few months to keep me from filing a wsib claim..leading me to believe they would look after me til I could work again.Where was god to help me throught this. I sturggled for several years fighting with doctors to fix me and help me with my pain. Also had a lawyer suppose to be looking after my affairs..only to find out he got well paid and I ended up with some renovations done to home so I could continue to live in it and medical bills some paid the rest put a judgement aganist my house. One son had to drop out of collage as no money for him to continue and my youngest never got to attend college. They lost their mother pretty much due to the large amount of drugs for the pain and the stress etc. this all caused. I lost everything else to date but still have a house to live in but not for much longer. You think you do all the right things in life. Work hard, be honest,love your family.help other in need. Well as you well know who your fiends really are when thing are ruff. It is a struggle everyday and somedays I wonder why do I suffer like this and life is not suppose to work like this. I feel for you and wish someone would maybe be able to really help ppl like us. Every where I turn its a dead end. Thanks for your e-mail. At least I know I’m not alone and some have lost far more than me. They say we are suppose to be glad we are still here. GOD who is he and where?
That God business had me buffaloed in the beginning to. I’m a recoved alcoholic who relies on a 12 Step Program to stay sober & loving life on it’s terms … not as I wish it were.
All it means to me is that I rely on something outside of myself (my thoughts, ego & self-centeredness) to get me through the tough times as well as the good times. I don’t blame anyone else for what happened to me … I had choices. I made some good ones & some not so good ones.
This is the 1st time I’ve seen this site & I must say I’m intrigued by it. I had never thought of using the 12 Steps to recover from smoking.
I won’t lie & say I’m going to do it; but, I certainly will give it a lot of thought for the next while.
Thank you for offering up another “method” of smoking cessation that doesn’t cost anything to do … except time, effort and a lot of praying (or just plain wishing the feeling would pass (the craving)).
Being told to accept that you have “shortcomings” and “defects of character”, and to give your power up to God, is not very empowering. I don’t understand how anyone with logic successfully quits anything with this 12 step program. If you really want to quit, read Allen Carr’s Easy Way to Smoking. Worked for me, no guilt, no God.