Support Groups and Online Communities
Although quitting smoking is a notoriously arduous task, it is still possible. Moreover, once individuals are committed to changing their lifestyle, it could be a fairly straightforward task. If you tried to quit and failed, this is not a reason for despair – each new attempt is easier. It is very important to choose a date and stick to it. Quitting works differently for everyone but usually, those joining support groups fare better and are most likely to quit for good. Quit-smoking communities have been very popular for the past 60 years.
The strong sense of belonging to a cause is a powerful determinant for their success, as is the constant support from people who are going through the same process. Also, these communities usually involve the participation of a professional, which is another upside, as opposed to taking such an important step on your own, the more so since it concerns your health.
Online communities combine this professionalism and team spirit with a more intensive interaction, which is not limited to a particular meeting time. Also, these have larger scope and provide more different perspectives from the numerous members. Most commonly, these groups have a moderator and feature an active forum. Some of the popular online communities for quitting smoking are the Smoking Cessation Forum at About.com (it is a very active society, with a worldwide scope and knowledgeable moderators).
Woofmang.com is another group created by Kevin Foster, who quit eight years ago, because of emphysema diagnose and is offering his experience and competence. Nicotine Anonymous is an in-person group, similar to Alcoholics Anonymous which implements a 12-step program to ensure the sustainability of their members’ effort. Smokebusters-Just4u offers advice and support through an online message board while SMART Recovery helps people figure out their own way out of addiction with the help of a four-step program, which includes incentives to quit, dealing with cravings, solving of issues and achieving a new balance in life.